BPD Remembers: On February 20, 1945, Officer Frank B. Callahan was shot when he encountered a robbery suspect attempting to make good his escape on foot after robbing a pawn shop on Washington Street in the South End. When the proprietor of the store and his wife, an elderly couple in their sixties, put up a fight during the robbery, the suspect shot and killed both of them. When Officer Callahan intercepted the fleeing suspect, the suspect shot him twice. The wounded officer was transported to Boston City Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
A 26-year veteran of the department, Officer Callahan was 54-years-old at the time of his death. Making his line of duty death ever more distressing is the fact that he left behind a grieving wife and two children.
Officer Callahan was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. His name is inscribed on Panel 2, East Line 9, of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. It is also permanently displayed on the Hero Wall at Boston Police Headquarters and at the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial at the State House in Boston.
In Boston, a Hero Sign has been placed in his honor in the area of 286 Tremont Street in District A-1 (Downtown). The sign is to forever honor the memory of a man who gave his life in service to his city. If you ever find yourself in the area and you happen to see his Hero Sign, kindly take a moment to honor and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of a brave man who died protecting and serving his city.