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Josephine Birdene McCallum
Incident
Officer Josephine McCallum was raped, strangled, and beaten to death by an inmate while on duty at the Southern Michigan State Prison. Her body was found at the bottom of a stairwell. An inmate serving 18 to 40 years for kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, and armed robbery was charged with her murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. She was survived by her husband and son. In November 2018, I-94 between Exits 140 and 141 was renamed Correctional Officer Josephine McCallum Memorial Highway.
Survivors
She was survived by her husband and son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Correctional Officer McCallum served with the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer McCallum.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michigan Department of Corrections has lost 15 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Josephine is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Josephine is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Josephine 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 1987, 2 officers at Michigan Department of Corrections were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 8 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Josephine was 26. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Michigan Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Josephine had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Josephine was 26. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Josephine had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Josephine was 26. 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. Josephine had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Josephine was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Josephine had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.1% of these deaths at Michigan Department of Corrections; December holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
March holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 15 deaths at Michigan Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.2% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Her people
Michigan Department of Corrections has 15 officers remembered here, Josephine among them.
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George W. Haight
Mar 27, 1893
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George Ferris
Jun 16, 1908
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Fred Menhennett
Dec 12, 1921
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Theodore Catlin
Jan 26, 1922
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Leon M. Sammons May 7, 1928
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Fred Boucher
Nov 5, 1939
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Bernard Fancher
Apr 28, 1960
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Joe D. Crater
Mar 31, 1967
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Max M. Hinckley
Mar 31, 1967
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Earl F. DeMarse
Sep 25, 1973
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Josephine Birdene McCallum
Mar 24, 1987
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Jack L. Budd
Dec 27, 1987
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Ronald Owen MacDonald
Jul 8, 2001
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Joseph Tyrone Candie
Dec 19, 2007
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Chad Alan Charles
May 21, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Michigan Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
