Police Deaths in NSW - 1788 to 1996 (12)

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

COUSSENS, Kenneth Desmond
Constable 1st Class
29 July, 1957.
The Constable, his wife Elizabeth and baby son Bruce, were murdered by the offender Kelly, who had placed a bomb outside the Constable's home at Bega. Apparently the offender had become incensed at being spoken to by the Constable regarding traffic offences, and on 29 July, 1957 placed a metal dairy container loaded with over 200 sticks of stolen gelignite outside the front door of the Constable's home. About 2am the offender lit the fuse to the bomb, and the dwelling was almost obliterated in the resultant explosion. The offender was arrested after a major Police investigation and was later sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Constable was born in 1926 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 18 October, 1948. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Bega.

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HARMAN, Jack
Constable
28 August, 1957.
Constable Harman sustained fatal injuries when the Police Special Traffic Patrol Cycle he was riding was involved in a collision with a motor car. At the time the Constable was riding the cycle from home to work at the Parramatta Police Station.

The Constable was born in 1931 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 April, 1953. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Parramatta.

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JURY, Neville Patrick
Constable 1st Class
15 September, 1957.
On 14 September, 1957 Constable Jury was riding his Police Special Traffic Patrol cycle in Maitland Road, Mayfield. Another vehicle pulled out onto the roadway from in front of a bus, hitting the cycle and causing it to skid into the path of another oncoming vehicle. Constable Jury was also hit by the second vehicle and pinned beneath the bumper bar. He was taken to the Royal Newcastle Hospital suffering fractures and internal injuries, however he died the next day.

The Constable was born in 1916 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 4 February, 1946. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Mayfield.

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GRAHAM, John
Constable
23 April, 1958.
On 29 July, 1948 Constable Graham was riding a Police motor cycle outfit along the Bermagui-Cobargo Road. At the time, the Constable, who was attached to the Bodalla Police Station, was patrolling the unfamiliar area in an effort to locate and apprehend a rape suspect. As he was negotiating a sharp bend in the roadway, the cycle skidded in loose gravel, left the roadway and mounted an embankment. It then tipped over, pinning the Constable beneath it. Constable Graham was admitted to the Bega District Hospital suffering from internal injuries, including a ruptured kidney, and concussion. Over the ensuing years his health deteriorated, due to the original injuries, and he died on 23 April, 1958.

The Constable was born in 1915 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 June, 1947. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Bodalla.

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JOHNSON, Athol Joseph
Constable 1st Class
26 April, 1958.
The Constable was the Lockup Keeper at Gulgong and was on duty on Anzac Day, 1958. A patron of the local RSL Club, a man named Lester Haley, had become intoxicated and argumentative with other patrons and was escorted from the club. Constable Joe Johnson was asked to supervise Haley's ejection, and did so, however as the offender left the club, he turned on the Constable with a knife and stabbed him several times. The wounds proved to be fatal, and the Constable died the following day at the Gulgong Hospital. The offender was later arrested by Detective Constable 1st Class Jim Tutill, convicted of manslaughter and imprisoned.

The Constable was born in 1918 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 21 January, 1946. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Gulgong.

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McINERNEY, Stanley Peter
Sergeant 1st Class
24 May, 1958.
About 10pm on the 24 May, 1958 Constable McInerney, the lockup keeper at Bombala, was asleep at his residence. He was awakened by the telephone, and when he arose to answer the call, he heard a noise coming from the street. Looking out of his bedroom window he saw a disturbance in which Constable Southam and a member of the public were struggling with an offender who had been arrested for offensive behaviour. Constable McInerney quickly dressed and went to assist. When the offender was subdued he was taken into the Police Station to be charged. When he had settled down, the offender had his handcuffs removed, however he then attacked Constable McInerney, punching him in the solar plexus. Later that night the Constable began to experience difficulty breathing and a doctor was called. Unfortunately he died before recieving medical attention. The cause of death was found to have been acute heart failure caused by an effect on his nervous system from the punch delivered by the offender.

The Constable was born in 1922 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 18 October, 1948. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Bombala.

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BOADEN, Brian James
Constable
14 November, 1958.
About 3pm on 14 November, 1958 Constable Boaden was riding a Police solo motor cycle along the Princes Highway at Ulladulla. Whilst he was pursuing a speeding vehicle, another car commenced to turn into the driveway of a dwelling. The Constable increased his speed in an attempt to pass in front of the turning vehicle, however the cycle struck the front of the vehicle. Constable Boaden was thrown over the vehicle, his helmet came off, and he landed head first on the roadway. Although he was conveyed to the Milton District Hospital, he died about three hours later.

The Constable was born in 1936 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 April, 1957. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Moruya.

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LORD, William John
Constable
23 December, 1958.
About 5pm on 23 December, 1958 Constable Lord was riding a Police Public Safety Bureau motor cycle in Alison Road, Randwick, when he became involved in the pursuit of a speeding motor cycle. At the intersection of Wansey Road another vehicle began to turn in front of the oncoming Police cycle. Seeing the Police cycle approaching, the driver of the vehicle took avasive action, however a collison occurred and Constable Lord was thrown from his cycle and onto another car. Although admitted to St Vincent's Hospital, he died a short time later.

The Constable was born in 1934 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet on 2 June, 1952. He was sworn in on 5 December, 1953. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Branch, Sydney.

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CLIFTON, James Thomas
Constable
31 July, 1959.
On 31 July, 1959 Constable Clifton rode his Police motor cycle outfit from his home to the Parramatta Police Station where he had a meeting with local Detectives. Following the meeting he set out to ride to the Balmain Police Station to commence his rostered shift at 7pm. As he was travelling along Victoria Road, Parramatta, a pedestrian ran out onto the roadway near the intersection of Gagin Street. Although he took evasive action and braked, the sidecar on Constable Clifton's cycle hit the pedestrain. The cycle then veered across the road, throwing the Constable beneath a car travelling toward him. He was killed instantly.

The Constable was born in 1928 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 June, 1950. He resigned in August, 1954 and rejoined the Force on 26 August, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

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McLEAN, Raymond William
Sergeant 2nd Class
11 September, 1959.
About 7.15pm on 11 September, 1959 Sergeant McLean met the Northern Wireless Car in the yard of the Manly Police Station to assist the crew with a prisoner. The prisoner struggled violently whilst he was being taken into the Station, and continued to do so in the dock. Sergeant McLean assisted to secure the prisoner throughout his struggles. A short time later, as the Sergeant was walking across the Station yard, he collapsed. He was taken by Ambulance to the Manly District Hospital, however was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was found to have been coronary artery disease, which resulted in a heart attack caused by his exertions with the prisoner earlier that night.

The Sergeant was born in 1904 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 March, 1929. At the time of his death he was stationed at Manly.

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