Detective George J. Holmes

George J. Holmes

Detective George Holmes was shot and killed at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Summer Street while attempting to apprehend two suspects who had just robbed a jewelry store in the Roxbury section of Boston.

One suspect was apprehended minutes later. The body of the other suspect, who was identified as the shooter, was found five days later in a Somerville railroad yard. He had died of a drug overdose. Both 21-year-old suspects had recently been released from prison after serving sentences for robbery convictions.

The other suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on April 14, 1964.

Detective Holmes was a World War II Army Purple Heart veteran and served with the Boston Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.