Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Captain James Meehan was shot and mortally wounded by a man he attempted to arrest for an assault.
Captain Meehan was patrolling his beat when he saw the suspect, along with two companions, attack a man on the 13th Street Bridge. As he intervened the suspect fled, but he managed to arrest his two companions. As he was walking the two to jail the suspect snuck up behind him and shot him in the back four times. Captain Meehan turned and emptied his revolver as the three ran off, and then collapsed as two fellow officers arrived on the scene and captured the suspects.
Captain Meehan was taken to the Franklin Hospital where he died from his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and hanged August 18, 1908.
Captain Meehan was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a sergeant in the 161st Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
No passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) November 25th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-09C9C072- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Captain Meehan gave the Franklin Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Franklin community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Edward Meehan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Captain James Edward Meehan is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edward Meehan's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward Meehan Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1908
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Meehan is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Meehan was killed by handgun; pistol.