Officer Boyce was shot and killed while attempting to arrest burglary suspects. Records indicated he died of a gunshot wound to the head. Officer Boyce had resigned earlier in the day with the intent to take care of his small child. He was finishing out his shift on his last day of work. Officer Boyce heard a call of a burglary in a saloon at Cardinal and Chouteau Streets and responded to the call outside of his beat to chase the suspects. Officer Boyce caught and scuffled with two burglars. One of the suspects shot Officer Boyce twice in the face and once in the chest killing him instantly. The two suspects escaped with the loot from the burglary totaling $2.00.

Officer Boyce joined the department on October 8, 1906. He was a widower and was survived by a small child. Interred: Tebbetts, Missouri.