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Incident
Patrolman James Roche succumbed to injuries received three weeks earlier in a gunfight with a suspect. Patrolman Roche was attempting to apprehend the suspect in a residence when he was shot five times. He was able to return fire, fatally wounding the suspect. Patrolman Roche was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries three weeks later. Patrolman Roche had been with the agency for six years and had also been a police officer in Limerick, Ireland, before immigrating to the United States. He was survived by his wife and five children. In May 2019, Panther Drive was renamed to Officer James Roche Drive.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Roche gave the Nashua Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashua community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roche.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashua Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 23 officers killed feloniously in NH, 39% of the 59 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 1 officer in NH was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 3.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 53. Of the 22 killed feloniously in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 54.8; the middle age was 48. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
James was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 21.7% of these deaths in NH, more than any other month. Mondays: 21.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Nashua Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 39% of all 59 deaths in NH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nashua Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Nashua Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
