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Incident
Guard Thomas McCullough was shot and mortally wounded by a prisoner who grabbed another guard's revolver and shot him.
A guard had opened the cell doors to take the inmates to breakfast when the suspect suddenly grabbed his service revolver and shot him twice. Attracted by the shooting, Guard McCullough came rushing to the scene only to fall immediately as the suspect fired point blank at him, the bullet entering his stomach. Other guards who reached the scene shot and mortally wounded the suspect.
Guard McCullough was taken to the Delaware Hospital in Wilmington where he died three days later. The other guard recovered from his wounds.
The New Castle County Workhouse became part of the newly formed Delaware Department of Corrections in 1956.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard McCullough served with the New Castle County Workhouse.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard McCullough.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Castle County Workhouse has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 40. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34.
Thomas was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 8% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Saturdays: 12%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at New Castle County Workhouse. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
New Castle County Workhouse has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Castle County Workhouse are honored on badge.nw.
