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James Francis Boyle
Sergeant

James Francis Boyle

Toledo Police Department — Toledo, OH
Felonious
United States flag Ohio flag
End of Watch May 5, 1908
Age 39
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 54 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 31

Incident

Sergeant James Boyle was shot and killed as he and another officer questioned three suspicious men they had observed near some railroad boxcars on Erie Street at 3:15 am. As Sergeant Boyle approached them, the other officer went around the block to prevent them from fleeing. The suspects walked away and were located in front of a nearby bakery. As Sergeant Boyle began to question them, one of the men produced a revolver and opened fire, striking Sergeant Boyle. The other officer returned fire, striking the man in the leg. Sergeant Boyle was taken to St. Vincent Hospital, where he died later that day. The suspects were apprehended a short time later after fleeing the scene. The shooter, who said it was an accident, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled on February 16, 1912. Charges against the other two were dismissed. Sergeant Boyle had served with the Toledo Police Department for 11 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, four children, mother, and three brothers.

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.
Sergeant Boyle gave the Toledo Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Boyle.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Toledo Police Department
Type Other
Location Toledo, Lucas County, OH
Platform Identity tpd.lucas.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 5, 1908
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 39. 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 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Toledo Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Sergeant James Francis Boyle

Toledo Police Department · End of Watch May 5, 1908

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W

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