Police Deaths in NSW - 1788 to 1996 (13)

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

GREEN, William Thomas
Constable
2 October, 1960.
About 6pm on 1 October, 1960, Constable Green left Gosford Police Station to assist other Police at the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident at Terrigal. At the time the Constable was riding a Special Traffic Patrol motor cycle. As he was travelling along Victoria Street, a panel van travelling in the opposite direction began to turn into Adelaide Street in front of the Police Cycle. The cycle collided with the front of the panel van, throwing Constable Green to the roadway. He was conveyed to the Gosford District Hospital, however he died the following morning.

The Constable was born in 1931 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 February, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gosford.

Return to Honour Roll

PIRIE, Clarence Roy
Senior Constable
13 October, 1960.
Senior Constable Pirie was the Officer in Charge of the Capertee Police Station from 1958 until his death on 13 October, 1960. On that day he was informed by Lithgow Police that two youths had been seen in a stolen car on the road between Capertee and Mudgee. Whilst patrolling the area, Senior Constable Pirie found the two fourteen year-olds in the vehicle at a roadside camping area at Jews Creek. He did not know at this stage that on the previous day the pair had escaped from the Yasmar children's detention centre, and had broken into a dwelling, stealing items of property and the vehicle before driving it to the Jews Creek area. Senior Constable Pirie placed one offender in the police vehicle and instructed the other to drive the stolen vehicle, while he followed behind, to the Capertee Police Station. As the Constable stood talking to the offenders, the elder youth in the stolen car fired a shot from a .22 rifle through the windscreen. The shot hit Constable Pirie in the chest. He died a short time later. Both youths were captured the following day.

The Constable was born in 1920 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September, 1947. At the time of his death he was stationed at Capertee.

Return to Honour Roll

BURKE, Francis Laurel
Constable 1st Class
20 January, 1961.
On 20 January, 1961 Constable Burke was holidaying on the South Coast with his family. In the afternoon of that day the family were at Kiama Beach when the Constable was informed by his son that two boys were in difficulties in an undertow. Constable Burke entered the water and swam out through the heavy surf to assist. Unfortunately the Constable collapsed during his efforts and after being seen floating face downwards in the water was carried onto the beach. He failed to respond to resuscitation and was conveyed to the Kiama District Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.

The Constable was born in 1927 and Joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 June, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern.

Return to Honour Roll

SOMMERVILLE, Ronald Francis
Constable
15 April, 1961.
On the morning of the 4 April, 1961 Constable Sommerville was riding a Police motor cycle outfit in Darling Street, Balmain. At the intersection of Cooper Street the cycle ran into the rear of a car which had stopped to make a right hand turn. It is thought that the Constable's cap had moved, obscuring his vision for a moment. While grabbing for and adjusting his cap, he failed to see the vehicle in front of him stop. As a result of the collision Constable Sommerville was thrown from the cycle, sustaining severe head injuries. He was conveyed to the Balmain District Hospital where he died on 15 April, 1961.

The Constable was born in 1940 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 March, 1956 as a Cadet. He was sworn in on 9 August, 1959. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

Return to Honour Roll

HARRIES, Douglas James
Constable 1st Class
2 September, 1961.
At 7.45pm on 25 August, 1961, Constable Harries was performing traffic control duty at the intersection of George and Park Streets, Sydney, when he was struck by a utility. As a result the Constable sustained severe head injuries, and was conveyed by Ambulance to the Sydney Hospital. Despite two operations to save his life, Constable Harries died without regaining consciousness on 2 September, 1961.

The Constable was born in 1928 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 13 August, 1951.

Return to Honour Roll

PONTER, Graham
Sergeant 1st Class
14 October, 1961.
On the afternoon of 11 October, 1961 Constable Ponter was riding a Police solo motor cycle from Bankstown to Police Headquarters. On the Hume Highway at Chullora he made a U-turn, apparently to follow a truck, however a bus drove onto the Highway from Waterloo Road in front of Constable Ponter's cycle. The cycle collided with the side of the bus, ans Constable Ponter was critically injured. He was taken to the Bankstown District Hospital where he died on 14 October, 1961 without regaining consciousness.

The Constable was born in 1933 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 June, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bankstown.

Return to Honour Roll

KINNANE, James George
Constable
14 October, 1961.
About 2.05am on 14 October, 1961, Constable Kinnane was riding a Police Public Safety Bureau motor cycle during a high speed pursuit in Parramatta Road, Auburn. As he approached Silverwater Road a car drove onto the intersection in front of the cycle. Though he had braked to avoid a collision, Constable Kinnane was unable to stop his cycle from hitting the car. He was thrown from the cycle, sustaining severe head injuries. He was admitted to St Joseph's Hospital, where he died at 3.30am on 14 October, 1961.

The Constable was born in 1939 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 2 November, 1959. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Branch.

Return to Honour Roll

OLIFF, Eric Peter
Constable
18 April, 1962.
On 18 April, 1962 Constable Oliff was riding a Police Public Safety Bureau motor cycle on wide load escort duties. Just north of Wyong, the cycle was involved in a collision with another motor vehicle. The Constable was thrown through the air, losing his helmet, and landed on the roadway where he sustained fatal injuries.

The Constable was born in 1938 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 31 October, 1960. At the time of his death he was attached to the Public Safety Bureau.

Return to Honour Roll

HARDACRE, Peter
Constable
21 October, 1962.
About 3.50pm on 21 October, 1960 Constable Hardacre was riding a Police motor cycle along the Princes Highway, just north of Kiama. Whilst negotiating a bend, the cycle drifted onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided head-on with another vehicle. The Constable was killed instantly.

The Constable was born in 1936 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 2 March, 1959. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kiama.

Return to Honour Roll

MURRAY, David Colin
Constable
5 June, 1963.
About 2.40pm on 31 May, 1963, Constable Murray was riding a Police Departmental motor cycle outfit in Campbelltown Road, Campbelltown. A station sedan travelling in the opposite direction crossed to the incorrect side of the roadway, and collided head-on with the cycle, injuring both Constable Murray and a Police Prosector who was a passenger in the sidecar. Both were conveyed to the Liverpool District Hospital where the Prosecutor was treated and allowed to leave. Unfortunately Constable Murray's injuries were much more sever and he died on 5 June, 1963.

The Constable was born in 1931 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bankstown.

Return to Honour Roll