Dedham is in mourning after active-duty Sergeant James Quigley died following what colleagues described as a long and courageous battle with cancer. Quigley, who joined the department in 2015 and rose to sergeant in 2022, served both as a detective and on uniformed patrol. Within the department and at Dedham District Court, he had become a go-to advocate for victims and a familiar face in the courthouse halls.
In a Facebook statement, the Dedham Police Department said Quigley "died after a long and courageous battle with cancer" and noted that he remained on active duty at the time of his death. The department said he joined the force in August 2015, collaborated closely with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office and court staff, and frequently represented Dedham Police at Dedham District Court. The post also credited him with leading a training initiative to help officers better support crime victims.
Years On The Force And Promotion
Town records show that Quigley was promoted to sergeant effective Aug. 22, 2022, after he joined the department in 2015 and spent more than two years on uniformed patrol. The Town of Dedham town manager materials list his promotion, and municipal public police logs identify him as Detective James J. Quigley in earlier years. Those documents highlight his extended involvement in investigative work and his regular presence in court in and around Dedham.
Colleagues Remember Him As An Advocate
According to the department's Facebook post, Quigley led efforts to build out a victim-support program for officers and "served as an advocate for domestic violence victims." Colleagues said that work strengthened the way sensitive cases were handled at the courthouse. Fellow officers and court personnel mentioned in the post recalled his steady demeanor, his focus on victims, and his commitment to the department's mission.
Services And Next Steps
The department has not yet released details about funeral services or visitation, and no additional information was available at the time of publication. This article will be updated as the department, family, or town officials share information about services or public tributes.
