Deputy Marshal James Batchelder
United States Department of Justice - Marshals Service
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, May 26, 1854

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, May 26, 1854
Incident Location: Massachusetts
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Deputy Marshal Batchelder was shot and killed while he and other deputy marshals were attempting to keep a mob of citizens from taking a prisoner at the courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts. The prisoner was an escaped slave from Virginia and was about to be returned to that state.

A group of abolitionists attempted to keep the man in Massachusetts so he would be returned to slavery, but when their legal pleas failed, they stormed the courthouse by breaking down the main door. Shots were exchanged between the group and the deputy marshals. Deputy Marshal Batchelder was fatally wounded. The other marshals were able to hold the group off.

A total of 18 people were arrested as a result of the incident. Two of them were charged in connection with Deputy Marshal Batchelder's death.