Active-duty Dedham – Dedham police say active-duty Sergeant James Quigley died Friday after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind a wife and two children, and the department praised his years of service, including work on cases involving domestic violence.
When the Dedham Police Department posted that Sergeant James Quigley had died, it wasn’t the kind of announcement families expect to read—especially not for a man described as active-duty and still serving in the middle of a long illness.
Quigley died on Friday after what the department called a long battle with cancer. In a message posted to Facebook, Dedham police said, “Throughout his battle, Jim continued to serve our community with commitment and selflessness.”
Quigley leaves behind two children and a wife. A GoFundMe set up for the Quignly family says the support is meant to help supplement funeral costs and medical expenses. while also providing his two children “the experiences Jay always dreamed of providing them throughout their life.” Loved ones wrote on the page: “Every contribution. no matter the amount. will help honor Sgt. Quigley’s legacy and provide comfort and support to the family he loved so deeply.”.
Before becoming a sergeant, Quigley joined the Dedham Police Department in 2015 as a patrol officer. Police wrote that he was promoted to detective after two years. They also described him as spending “several years conducting drawn out investigations which require advanced training and knowledge.”
In August 2022, Quigley was promoted as a sergeant for the Dedham Police Department. The department said he proudly served as an advocate for domestic violence victims while leading the effort to develop a program for law enforcement officers to support victims.
Police also described Quigley as a dedicated father and family member. They wrote, “Jim was proud to serve our community and of his family’s past police service. Even more so, Jim was immeasurably proud of and devoted to his family.”
For a community officer who spent years working cases that demanded experience and patience—and for a family now facing the practical weight of loss—this death leaves both grief and unanswered questions about what comes next for a role he held while continuing to serve.
Dedham police James Quigley cancer death active-duty sergeant domestic violence advocacy GoFundMe
That’s so sad. Cancer is brutal.
Wait so he was still active-duty while dying? That part confuses me like shouldn’t they put him on leave or something? Either way prayers to his family, just wish the department would’ve said it clearer.
Domestic violence cases always hit so hard. I don’t even know why but it feels like they had him handling those cases and then he gets cancer like… related?? Probably not, but that timing is awful. Hope the GoFundMe helps more than “funeral costs” though.
Active-duty means he was still working, right? So did he die at work or at home? The article says long battle but I’m still trying to figure out what exactly happened Friday. Also GoFundMe spelling says Quignly not Quigley?? small thing but kinda weird.