Police Deaths in NSW - 1788 to 1996 (5)

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

BEATTY, James
Sergeant
11 January, 1890.
On 11 January, 1890, outside the Penrith Police Station, the Sergeant had occasion to speak to an Indian vagrant whom he had earlier asked to leave town. The man suddenly leapt at Sergeant Beatty, stabbing him five times. Local people and Constable Moseby pursued the offender, eventually cornering him, The man threw a brick which struck the Constable in the chest, and Constable Moseby drew his service revolver and shot the offender, wounding him. The Constable and members of the public then threw themselves on the offender, and he was arrested. He died later that night. Unfortunately, the wounds inflicted upon Sergeant Beatty also proved to be fatal.

The Sergeant was born in 1835 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 February, 1858. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Penrith.

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MURROW, Henry
Senior Constable
4 October, 1897
On 4 October, 1897 Constable Murrow attempted to arrest a man by the name of Daniel Conway in the vicinity of Argyle Street, The Rocks. During the scuffle the Constable fell to the ground, heavily striking his head. Taken to the Sydney Hospital and treated for what was thought to be merely a scalp wound, the Constable was allowed to return to his home. Later that night he became very ill and died. It was subsequently found that he had suffered a fractured skull. Conway was charged with Murder, however was latter convicted of Manslaughter and sent to gaol.

The Senior Constable was born in 1861 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 June, 1883. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Phillip Street Police Station, Sydney.

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MURDOCH, James Gibson
Senior Constable
25 December, 1900.
Senior Constable Murdoch is recorded as having "died after drinking bad water whilst fighting bushfires". The Constable had been out for the weekend fighting bushfires before returning to Burrangong Police Station where he soon fell ill. Stricken with diarrhoea and vomiting, the Constable was treated by the local doctor before being taken to Burrangong Hospital. He died two days later - on Christmas Day.

The Senior Constable was born in 1862 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 March, 1884. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Burrangong.

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BREMNER, James
Inspector
2 January, 1901
The Inspector was knocked down and killed by a military horse during Commonwealth of Australia celebrations at Centennial Park, Sydney. The Inspector was supervising 200 Police maintaining order amongst a large crowd awaiting the Commonwealth Day Procession. As the procession began, a Trooper's horse took flight and bolted into the crowd. Inspector Bremner was knocked down, sustaining severe spinal injuries. He died the following morning.

The Inspector was born in 1841 and joined the New South Wales Police Force in the early 1860's (possibly 1862). At the time of his death, he was the Officer in Charge of No.3 Division, Sydney.

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GUILFOYLE, Denis
Constable
19 July, 1902.
The Constable was shot by offender Shaw at Redfern whilst attempting to arrest Shaw and another man for passing counterfeit coins. Following an incident involving a storekeeper, Constable Guilfoyle had sought the assistance of an off-duty member, Constable Maher, and after checking several shops the offenders had been in, they located them in Shepherd Street. As the two Constables approached the offenders, one produced a revolver and shot Constable Maher three times. The offender Shaw then produced a pistol and shot Constable Guilfoyle twice. Constable Maher was to recover from his wounds, however Constable Guilfoyle's wounds proved to be fatal. Shaw later committed suicide after murdering Constable Richard Johnston at St. Kilda, Victoria, on 12 October, 1902.

Constable Guilfoyle was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 November, 1885. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Redfern.

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LONG, Samuel William
Constable
19 January, 1903.
In the early hours of 19 January, 1903, Theodore Trautwein, the licensee of the Royal Hotel at Auburn was awakened by a loud noise. The sound had appeared to come from the bar area of the hotel, and taking a revolver with him, Trautwein went to investigate. In the bar he saw and heard a person lying on the floor, apparently in great pain. As other residents of the hotel appeared, a candle was lit and it was found that the injured person was a local constable, Samuel Long. A doctor was called and it was found that the constable had suffered a severe gunshot wound to his head. He died a short time later, unable to identify his attacker. A lengthy investigation eventually revealed that the Constable had been shot whilst trying to apprehend two offenders, Grand and Jones, whom he had caught after they had broken into the hotel. After the shooting, the offenders had escaped by horse and sulky. Both offenders were hanged on 7 July, 1903.

The Constable was born in 1865 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 6 July, 1894. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Auburn.

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JUSTIN, William
Constable 1st Class
8 March, 1905.
On the day of his death Constable Justin was patrolling near Thuddungra (near Young) when his horse became skittish and began to buck. The Constable was driven into a wire fence by the animal, where he sustained severe injuries. He was found some three hours later after the incident, and despite being taken to hospital, died the following day.

The Constable was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 November, 1881. At the time of his death, he was stationed in the Southern District (Young).

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WALLACE, John James
Constable 1st Class
11 February, 1906.
The Constable was shot at a dwelling in King Street, Newtown by offender Tanna, who had been involved in a domestic dispute. Constable Wallace and Senior Constable Maunsell had attended the dispute, and had climbed into the home through a window. Constable Wallace attempted to talk to the offender, who was armed with a rifle and a revolver, in the hallway. The offender suddenly raised the rifle and shot Constable Wallace twice. The offender, who was later wounded by Police, committed suicide in the siege that followed.

The Constable was born in 1860 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 July, 1894. At the time of his death, he was stationed at Newtown.

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