Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 7 November 1955
Senior Constable – appointed 7 November 1966
Senior Constable – Death
Stations: East Gresford Police Station
Service: From pre 7 November 1955 to 13 August 1971 = 15+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 31 January 1933
Died: 13 August 1971
Age: 38
Cause: Shot – Murdered
Event location: East Gresford Police residence
Funeral Date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
[alert_green]William IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
William KING
About 6.45pm on 13 August, 1971Senior Constable King went home to the East Gresford police residence for dinner. When he later answered a knock on the front door he was shot in the chest. He died a short time later. Enquiries later revealed that Senior Constable King had arrested the offender, a sixty-two year old labourer, the previous year for a drink driving offence (DUI). The offender was arrested two hours after the murder of Senior Constable King and later sentenced to life imprisonment.
The constable was born in 1933 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 November, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at East Gresford.
William Edward KING
Location of Police residence
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The Canberra Times Tuesday 17 August 1971 3 of 20
Murder of constable alleged
NEWCASTLE, Monday. — Mr Arthur Clement Warr, 63, timber worker, of Church Street, East Gresford, appeared in Maitland court today charged with the murder of Senior-constable William Edward King, of East Gresford, last Friday.
The police prosecutor, Sergeant B. Bourne, said it would be alleged that last Friday Mr Warr had drunk at a Gresford hotel then had driven to East Gresford police station and that when Constable King had come from the residence in uniform Mr Warr had shot and fatally wounded him with a .22 rifle.
The Canberra Times Friday 24 September 1971 page 6 of 18
Man for trial over death
NEWCASTLE, Thursday.
A 62-year-old labourer was committed in Maitland Court today for trial at the Newcastle Supreme Court on November 8 on a charge of murdering a policeman.
Mr Wilde, SM, refused bail for the man, Mr Arthur Clement Warr, of East Gresford, who is charged with having murdered Senior Constable William Edward King at East Gresford on August 13.
A Gresford station hand, Mr Howard Huckstadt, told the court that Mr Warr had sung out to him, “I shot King Billy”.
He said he had heard Mr Warr refer to Constable King, of Gresford police station, as “King Billy” before.
Mr Warr had asked him if he had any bullets, but he had replied, “no”. He had then said that he had wanted the bullets “to shoot the cop that would come after him”.
Mr Huckstadt said he had asked Mr Warr why he shot Constable King and Mr Warr had replied, “He was all the time picking on me”.
The Canberra Times Saturday 20 November 1971 page 12 of 42
‘Life’ for murder
NEWCASTLE, Friday. — Mr Arthur Clement Warr, 63, fencing contractor, of Gresford, was jailed for life at Newcastle Supreme Court today for the murder of a police constable.
He had pleaded not guilty to a charge of having murdered Constable William Edward King, 38, at Gresford on August 13. Mr Warr did not give evidence or make a statement during his trial.
*** Although NOT confirmed, another article was found with this offenders name and the age between 1943 – 1971 is correct. ***
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 31 August 1943 page 3 of 9
MILITIAMEN ON THEFT CHARGE
U.S. Army Clothing
Charges of having stolen United States Army clothing at Alexandria railway goods yard on August 17 were made against three australian militiamen, at a court-martial yesterday.
They were Privates Roy Westland Smith, 20; Arthur Edward Roberts, 47: and Arthur Clement Warr, 34.,
Alternative charges of having been unlawfully in possession of the goods were dismissed. On the charges of stealing the Court did not announce its decision.
Evidence was that the three men, members of an employment unit, were on duty at the goods yard unloading trucks. A warrant officer said that he saw the accused moving between two lines of trucks in a shed, and on being challenged they dropped several pairs of United States Army trousers.
Each of the accused said he had seen the articles lying on the ground and had picked them up, intending to examine the article in a better light. It was unusual, they said, to see anything lying about in the yards.
At a previous trial, Private John Henry Hanson, 27 was charged with having unlawfully removed a case containing 24 pairs of United States Army trousers from a railway truck at Alexandria on August 17.
Hanson, who pleaded not guilty, said he had not touched any of the clothing.
POLICE KILLED OR WHO DIED FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN THE EXECUTION OF THEIR DUTIES
On 13th August, 1971, Senior Constable William Edward King, who was then the officer-in-charge of police, East Gresford, was shot dead at East Gresford Police Station by a man who fired upon him with a rifle.
On 29th August, 1971, Constable 1st Class Patrick Mark Hackett died from injuries received in a motor accident at Polis, Cyprus, whilst performing duty with the New South Wales Police component of the Australian Police Contingent of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force.
On 30th September, 1971, Sergeant Second Class William Watson Riley and Senior Constable Maurice Raymond McDiarmid, both then attached to Blacktown Police Station, were shot dead in a house at Toongabbie which they had entered to arrest a man who a short time before had murdered his brother and raped a woman in the same house.
A police funeral with full ceremonial honours was accorded these deceased officers at which appropriate tributes were paid.
In recognition of their outstanding courage Sergeant Riley and Senior Constable McDiarmid were posthumously promoted by me to Sergeant 1st Class and Sergeant 3rd Class respectively. In addition, I submitted recommendations to the Premier for favour of consideration of Royal Awards being granted in both cases.
To assist the widows of the deceased police the Premier approved the payment to each of them of the sum of $12,500 as a gratuity. This payment did not in any way affect their entitlements to payments under the provisions of the Police Regulation (Superannuation) Act.
On 2 October, 1970 Detective Constable Ware was part of a specially formed squad attempting to apprehend an armed and dangerous rapist who had been operating in the Sutherland area. A decoy car was set up at Loftus Oval with a number of police both inside it and surrounding it in the darkness. During the stakeout one of the police could not be contacted on his portable radio and when the decoy vehicle left the oval for a short time Detective Ware went to find out what had happened.
As he neared the man with the faulty radio he was mistaken for the rapist and shot. Detective Ware had not answered when challenged and almost walked over the man on the ground. Visibility and conditions were extremely poor at the time. The detective constable was conveyed to the Sutherland District Hospital where he died a short time later.
The constable was born in 1937 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 16 August, 1965.
David Bruce REIHER
| 26/10/2012
David Bruce REIHER
Late of ?
NSW Police Academy – Redfern – Class 115
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 13232
Rank: Constable
Stations: Wollongong STP ( Special Traffic Patrol ) – death
Service: From 13 May 1968 to21 December 1969= 1.5years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 27 June 1946
Died on: Sunday 21 December 1969
Age: 23
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Police Bike – Rider
Event location: Princes Hwy, Figtree ( on the bends near Figtree Pub )
Event date: Sunday 21 December 1969
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
Constable David Reiher ( 1969 )
DAVIDIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
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Keira St, cross of Market St, Wollongong
Funeral location: TBA
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On 21 December, 1969 Constable Reiher was riding a Police Special Traffic Patrol motor cycle on the Princes Highway at Figtree. It is thought that the constable was attempting to stop the driver of a station sedan for a traffic offence and as he overtook the vehicle his cycle flipped over. He was thrown into the path of a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction and killed instantly.
The constable was born in 1946 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 13 May, 1968. At the time of his death he was stationed at Wollongong.
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Wollongong police memorials
ALEX ARNOLD
The NSW Police Force carries on its logo the phrase “Proud Traditions since 1862“, but capturing the history of these traditions at an operational level has never been a priority for the force.
However, almost 150 years after it was first formed, NSW Police – and Acting Southern Region Commander Gary Worboys in particular – is using history as a tool to instil pride in those wearing the uniform.
Three memorials for Wollongong police officers who died while serving the community were unveiled at Wollongong Police Station yesterday at a ceremony attended by family members and former colleagues of the deceased officers.
The memorials, located in the hallway of the detectives’ floor, feature images and biographies of the men as well as an account of the incidents that led to their deaths.
The memorial wall was Mr Worboys’ idea, with Senior Constable Dave Henderson given the task of completing the project.
Snr Const Henderson said the project had involved research through police archives, old copies of the Illawarra Mercury and interviews with family members.
Mr Worboys, who will return to his former role as Wollongong Local Area Commander at the end of the month, said he became inspired to record police history during his time as commander of the Goulburn LAC. It was there he heard about a policeman who’d been shot by bushranger Ben Hall’s gang at Collector.
Mr Worboys said research led to the discovery of the grave of the officer, Samuel Nelson, in a cemetery near the police station, but it was found to be an “absolute shambles“.
The grave was restored and distant family members invited to take part in a subsequent ceremony, proving to Mr Worboys the value of history to the police force.
“There is so much history associated with police stations, but as walls get painted and people move on we don’t capture that history.”
“The memorials and the stories they have attached to them provide officers with a link to the past and makes them realise they are not the only ones who have walked these corridors.”
Mr Worboys said the memorials not only represented distinguished service, but the trauma, grief and heartache suffered by families.
He said the last death of a Wollongong officer on duty was in 1969, and he hoped no more stories would be added to the wall: but the memorials were a reminder that policing was a dangerous occupation.
Among those at yesterday’s ceremony were Constable David Reiher‘s father Bruce ( RIP – Nov 2009 ), and Constable Ray Paff‘s widow Valerie, who described the memorial as “a wonderful tribute” to her late husband.
“It may have been a long time ago. But you never forget,” she said.
Clarence Lawn Cemetery, General, Section B, Lot 176
Warren Dennis BURNS, NSWPF, died 30 October 1968 Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
[alert_green]WARREN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
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In the afternoon of 30 October, 1968 Constable Burns was undergoing police motor cycle training under the supervision of Constable Doaks in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney.
As Constable Burns followed Constable Doaks along Farnell Avenue his cycle skidded on the gravel shoulder of the roadway, struck a guidepost and then collided with a tree stump. Constable Burns was thrown from his cycle into a tree, sustaining fatal injuries. He died a short time later in the Sutherland District Hospital.
The constable was born in 1943 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 August, 1968. At the time of his death he was stationed at North Sydney.
Warren Dennis BURNS Clarence Lawn Cemetery, Armidale Road, Sth Grafton. 29 46′ 00S / 152 55′ 41E Credit – Ken Medway 6 March 2014
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Police think of mates, share stories at Remembrance Day service at Gymea on September 29
By Eva Tejszerski
Sept. 6, 2014, 7:20 a.m.
Annual commemoration: This month there will be a remembrance day service held for retired local police officers. John Prince is a member of St George & Sutherland Shire Retired Police Organisation, is organising the event. Picture Chris Lane
WHEN a few blokes gathered at Miranda RSL Club in the 1980s, little did they know their casual chats would become a bigger event of shared memories.
Now, many of those men who formed friendships in the line of duty will join forces again at their annual commemoration of retired police officers.
The south metropolitan associated branch of the Police Association of NSW, established a decade later, is hosting its annual service at St Catherine’s Catholic Church, Gymea, on September 29 — the same month as national police remembrance day.
Former police officers and the community will pay tribute to those killed on duty.
There will also be a eulogy for retired commander Henry (Harry) Brennan, of Caringbah, who died in June this year, at 86, after a 39-year career.
Mr Brennan cheated death when a shot was fired at him at point blank range. Luckily, the bullet missed.
For his bravery, he received the rare George Medal in 1956.
Retired police officer the late Harry Brennan is one of several local retired police officers who will be commemorated at a remembrance day service at Gymea this month. Picture: Police Association of NSW
Probationary constable Warren Dennis Burns, 25, was killed in 1968 when his motorbike collided with a tree in the Royal National Park.
Former police officer Denis Robert Ware, 33, was shot and killed on duty at Sutherland in 1970.
The branch has grown to about 500 members — many of whom regularly meet for social events.
Former police officer John Prince, of Caringbah, organised the service.
“Once you retire, the rest of us stay mates . . . you rely on each other so much when you work together,” he said.
In the early hours of 8 October, 1968 Sergeant Schell and Probationary Constable Dick Letchford attended Halvorsens Boats, Bobbin Head following a report of a break and enter in progress. On their arrival the police were met by the caretaker Mr Frederick Marshall and the sergeant accompanied him to check inside the premises, leaving the probationer outside. A short time later Constable Letchford apprehended two offenders whom he had seen running from the direction Sergeant Schell and Mr Marshall had taken. When police reinforcements arrived a few minutes later they were informed that Sergeant Schell and Mr Marshall had been found critically wounded in a storeroom. Mr Marshall had been shot in the head and Sergeant Schell had been shot five times in the head and body. Despite being rushed to Hornsby Hospital Sergeant Schell died a short time later. The offenders were later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Sergeant Schell was born in 1916 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 July, 1939.
Colin ROY
| 26/10/2012
Constable Colin ROY
Regd. # 11093
Constable
Age: 28
Motor Vehicle Accident
Kirrawee
12 May, 1967
Shortly before 9pm on 10 May, 1967 Constable Roy was riding a police solo motor cycle along the Princes Highway, Kirrawee, returning home at the completion of his rostered shift. At the time he was travelling behind a utility, the driver of which was looking for a service station. When the utility driver saw a service station on his right hand side he put his right indicator on. He then spotted a closer service station on his left. With his right indicator still on he turned left in front of Constable Roy who had begun to overtake on the near side. The utility struck the constable’s motor cycle, forcing it off the road and into a low brick wall at the front of the service station. As a result Constable Roy sustained severe head injuries and was conveyed to the Sutherland District Hospital where he died on 12 May, 1967.
The constable was born in 1938 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 August, 1964. At the time of his death he was stationed at North Sydney.
Geoffrey Joseph DALEY
| 26/10/2012
Probationary Constable Geoffrey Joseph DALEY
Motor Vehicle Accident
Vaucluse
27 December, 1966
On 27 December, 1966 Constable Daley was riding a police motor cycle in New South Head Road, Vaucluse and while attempting to negotiate a sharp bend the cycle skidded on a patch of new bitumen, crossed the roadway and clipped a motor cycle. Constable Daley’s cycle then hit another vehicle head-on and the constable was thrown under it, inflicting fatal injuries.
The constable was born in 1942 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 4 April, 1966.
Allan SHAW
| 26/10/2012
Constable Allan SHAW
Regd. # 9181
Age: 24
Motor Vehicle Accident
Belmore
11 May, 1964
About 9pm on 10 May, 1964 Constable Shaw was a member of a Police Wireless Car patrolling the Belmore area when they received a message regarding a break and enter offence. Whilst they were travelling along Reginald Street a vehicle drove through the intersection of Drummond Street, failing to give way to the police vehicle. The vehicles collided and all three police were thrown to the roadway. The injured were conveyed to the Canterbury District Hospital where Constable Shaw died of his injuries at 5pm the next day.
The constable was born in 1939 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 November, 1958. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern.
Cyril Elgar HOWE
| 26/10/2012
Cyril Elgar HOWE QPM
Late of ?
This Murder led to NSW Police later being issued with Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8663
Redfern Police Academy Class # 068
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 February 1957
Probationary Constable – appointed 1 April 1957
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Posthumously promoted from Cst 1/c to Sergeant 3rd Class
Stations: ?, Oaklands – Death
Service: From? ? pre April 1957 to 20 December 1963= 6+years Service
Awards: Queen’s Police Medal ( QPM ) for Gallantry ( Imperial ) – granted 24 March 1964
the Peter Mitchell Award.
Born: ? ? 1932
Died on: Friday 20 December 1963 @ 10.45pm at Wagga Base Hospital, NSW
Grave location: Anglican Monumental. Sect Aj – 0126
Memorial located at:
1/ Sgt. Howe’s name is mounted on the Memorial Wall at the NSW Police Memorial situated in the Tranquil Gardens, Woronora Memorial Park Cemetery, 121 Linden St, Sutherland.
It is important to know that in mid September each year, since 2015, 11 other NSW Police Officers killed on duty in the Sutherland / St. George PAC and 13 Police Officers killed in other PAC’s (Sgt 3/c Howe – Oaklands) and laid to rest within the WMP Cemetery are remembered.
Ron Alexander – Chairman NSW Police Memorial Service Committee – WMP.
2/ Memorial located at Oaklands Police Station, NSW – Dedicated on 19 December 2014
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
Paul, one of Cyrils’ sons, is buried alongside of his father. Cyrils’ wife, June, having died in September 2020, is buried with Cyril. ” Together forever “
CYRIL IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Funeral location: TBA
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On the evening of 19 December, 1963 Constable Howe detained an offender named Little near Oaklands and spoke to him regarding a stolen cheque book. He then directed the offender to drive his vehicle to the local police station while he followed in the police vehicle.
En route the offender sped away, and was pursued by Constable Howe for several kilometres. When the offender eventually stopped, the constable approached his vehicle. The offender, who had taken cover behind his vehicle door (the doors opened backwards from hinged centre pillars), then produced a shotgun and shot Constable Howe.
The constable crawled back to the police vehicle where he took cover, and although seriously wounded, returned fire until his automatic pistol jammed. He then sought further cover by crawling underneath the police vehicle, where he cleared his pistol and fired another shot before it again jammed. The offender then fired at the police vehicle, shooting out the headlights, steering, and the police sign from the top, before escaping.
Constable Howe then wrote “LITTLE SHOT ME” in the back of his police notebook ( in ink, and not blood, as sometimes stated ) before dragging himself into the police vehicle.
Constable Howe then wrote the offender’s name several times in his police notebook before dragging himself into the police vehicle.
He was only able to drive it a few metres before it ran into a roadside ditch.
After being found, the constable was able to detail the events leading to the shooting.
He was taken to the Wagga Base Hospital, however despite a five-hour operation he died at 10.45pm on 20 December, 1963.
Constable 1st Class Howe was posthumouslypromoted to Sergeant 3rd Class and awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry ( QPM ), and the Peter Mitchell Award.
The offender later committed suicide.
The circumstances surrounding Sergeant Howe’s death ( pistol repeatedly jamming ) led to the introduction of Smith & Wesson .38 calibre 6 shot revolvers as general service issue to New South Wales Police. These, in turn were replaced by Glock semi-automatic pistols in the late 1990s.
The sergeant was born in 1932 in Arncliffe, NSW, and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 April, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Oaklands.
Today (Wednesday 20 December 2023) marks the 60th anniversary of the tragic loss of Constable 1st Class Cyril Howe of Oaklands Police Station – now part of the Murray River Police District – in the state’s south.
On Thursday 19 December 1963, Constable Howe was assisting neighbouring police in relation to the theft of a cheque book by a 47-year-old man.
Constable Howe located the man travelling along a local road – in what was later established to be a stolen car with five young children.
After a pursuit of the vehicle, the man shot and seriously injured Constable Howe whilst using the children as a human shield which prevented the officer from effectively returning fire.
Despite being critically wounded Constable Howe wrote the assailants name in his notebook.
Constable Howe died the following day at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
An inquest into the incident commended Constable Howe’s actions where the coroner noted, “Howe displayed tremendous strength, courage and presence of mind. Considering the shocking wounds he received, and the terrible agony he was in, his actions after being shot leave no doubt in my mind that he was one of the bravest Policemen ever to wear the Queen’s uniform.”
Constable Howe was posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class and awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry.
To commemorate this event, a service was held at the Albury Police Station Conference Room.
The Commander of Murray River Police District, Superintendent Paul Smith APM, said that despite the passage of time, the events of that day serve as a reminder to a current generation of officers as to the dangers police face.
“Sergeant 3rd Class Cyril Howe displayed extraordinary bravery and fortitude when confronted with an armed and dangerous offender,” said Superintendent Smith APM.
“He refused to shoot at the offender for fear of striking one of the children, and then wrote the offenders name in his notebook.”
“Along with being an exceptional police officer he was also a father to three young children. It’s terribly sad what happened.”
Police and the community will come together on December 19 to mark the 50th anniversary of the murder of Oaklands police officer Sgt Cyril Howe.
Sgt Howe was stationed at Oaklands when he was gunned down in December, 1963.
His murder resulted in one of the biggest man hunts in the local area with many people from Yarrawonga and Mulwala involved in the search for his killer.
Since plans began for a commemorative march to honour the 50 year anniversary of Sgt Howe’s untimely death, local police have collected a variety of newspaper articles, telling the story of that fateful day in 1963.
On December 20, 1963 Sgt Howe was patrolling in Oaklands when he stopped a car driven by William Little who was a suspect for a stealing matter.
Sgt Howe requested Little to drive back to the Oaklands Police Station where he intended to question him further.
Little drove his car towards the police station with Sgt Howe following.
Upon getting close to the police station Little attempted to drive away and was pursued by Sgt Howe.
Little crashed his car into a ditch while attempting to escape.
Sgt Howe got out of his police car and approached Little’s car.
At this time Little produced a shotgun shooting Sgt Howe at close range in the stomach.
Sgt Howe returned to his car and fired a number of shots from his pistol.
Sgt Howe whilst dying on the side of the road was able to write Little’s name in his notebook indicating Little was responsible for the shooting.
Sgt Howe later died at Wagga Hospital from his wounds.
Little then went to a nearby property where he shot and killed Reginald Hunter a 57 year old bridge builder. Little then stole Hunter’s car.
The next six days saw a massive man hunt for Little with many local people assisting in the search along with offering accommodation for police who had been brought into the area to look for Little.
Article Name:Honouring Sgt Cyril Howe
Publication:The Free Press (Corowa)
Start Page:12
End Page:12
Ron Bloxham 20 December 2015 re the death of Sergeant Cyril Edgar HOWE. This was a matter I was involved in then when I was stationed at Finley.The offender Little’s car was located at Finley. On the 19th December 2013 I attended the Ceremony and the dedication of the impressive plaque that is now located in the front area of the Oaklands Police Station. I played golf with Cyril a few times and his wife was a brilliant golfer if I remember right she was the only female golfer then playing off scratch. She now lives at Kooralbyn near Beaudesert Qld. Here are a couple of photos from that day. Great effort by the troops after so long a time R.I.P. Cyril.
NSW Police Force 9 April 2015 NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has officially dedicated a new memorial honouring fallen officers in the St George and Sutherland Shire. The Commissioner was joined by local police, families, friends, and colleagues, for the dedication of the NSW Police Memorial, led by Police Chaplain, Reverend David Warner, at Woronora Cemetery today (Thursday 9 April 2015). The memorial honours 24 NSW Police officers who have died on duty while serving in the St George, Sutherland and Miranda Local Area Commands or who were cremated or laid to rest at Woronora Cemetery. Commissioner Scipione said the plaques and memorial wall is a perfect way to honour local officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. “The NSW Police Memorial at Woronora Cemetery is our first collective police tribute in a private cemetery,” Commissioner Scipione said. “As we unveil the plaques today, we reflect on the lives and achievements of the officers who died while serving this community. “One of the toughest challenges for police is starting work each day not knowing what will happen yet understanding they may have to risk their own life to save another. “It is with great pride I dedicate this memorial and honour the officers, whose names are inscribed, remembering their selfless sacrifice and courage. They will not be forgotten,” Commissioner Scipione said. The names of the 24 local fallen officers, who died on duty since 1862, are inscribed on the wall of the memorial. An additional two colonial police killed in 1845, prior to the inception of the NSW Police Force, will also be remembered in the form of separate plaques. The NSW Police Memorial is a joint project of Woronora General Cemetery and Crematorium, Southern Metropolitan Associates Branch of the Police Association of NSW and the NSW Police Force. Officers honoured on NSW Police Memorial at Woronora Cemetery: Sergeant 1st Class William Smith, killed on duty at Port Kembla on 1 September 1951, age 53 Constable Garnet Mortley, killed on duty at Waterfall 1 June 1953, age 25 Constable Edward Dilks, killed on duty at Corowa on 21 October 1954, age 28 Sergeant 2nd Class Cecil Ellis, killed on duty at Sydney on 29 April 1956, age 58 Constable William Lord, killed on duty at Randwick on 23 December 1958, age 24 Constable Colin Robb, killed on duty at Auburn on 7 September 1963, age 28 Constable 1st Class Cyril Howe, killed on duty at Oaklands on 20 December 1963, age 31 Constable Allan Shaw, killed on duty at Belmore on 11 May 1964, age 24 Constable Colin Roy, killed on duty at Kirrawee on 12 May 1967, age 28 Sergeant 2nd Class Adam Schell, killed on duty at Bobbin Head on 8 October 1968, age 52 Probationary Constable Warren Burns, killed on duty at Sutherland on 30 October 1968, age 25 Detective Senior Constable Denis Ware, killed on duty at Sutherland on 2 October 1970, age 32 Constable Joseph Gibb, killed on duty at Miranda on 23 January 1972, age 28 Senior Constable Neville Parker, killed on duty at Sans Souci on12 November 1972, age 34 Sergeant 2nd Class John Gill, killed on duty at Hurstville on 12 May 1973, age 47 Sergeant 1st Class John Colbert, killed on duty at Kingsgrove on 11 March 1979, age 58 Detective Sergeant Jillian Hawkes, killed on duty at Milsons Point on 22 April 1986, age 46 Probationary Constable Dana Heffernan, killed on duty at Randwick on 17 April 1987, age 20 Constable 1st Class Mark Burns, killed on duty at Tamworth on 17 March 1988, age 25 Constable John Burgess, killed on duty at Annandale on 27 April 1989, age 29 Constable Kenneth Short, killed on duty at Yarrawarra on 11 July 1990, age 27 Sergeant John Proops, killed on duty at Enfield on 22 May 1993, age 42 Senior Sergeant Raymond Smith, killed on duty at Calga on 13 July 1998, age 47 Senior Constable James (Jim) Affleck, killed on duty at Glen Alpine on 14 January 2001, age 43 Colonial police honoured: Corporal Stephen Kirk, killed on duty at Heathcote on 12 November 1845, age 32 Trooper Luke Dunn, killed on duty at Heathcote on 21 November 1845, age 3.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Friday 5 June 1964, page 6
Above: Mrs. Howe and her children. Mark, 4, Paul, 2, and Kim, 5, proudly examine the medal after the presentation.
SYDNEY, Thursday. – A police sergeant, shot dead by a crazed gunman at Oaklands last year was today posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for gallantry.
The policeman, Cyril Edgar Howe, although extensively wounded and in great pain, wrote the name of his killer in his notebook.
When he was found by police, Sgt. Howe gave them full particulars of the incident before being taken to hospital, where he died following an emergency operation.
The State Governor, Sir Eric Woodward today presented the award to Sergeant Howe‘s widow, Mrs. June Howe at an impressive Government House ceremony.
Sir Eric said Sgt. Howe displayed devotion to duty, fortitude and courage of an extremely high order.
The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct was presented to Constable William Terence Johnston.
Constable Johnston risked his life in the sea at Bombo Beach, Kiama, to rescue a fisherman washed off the rocks.
WAGGA , Sunday. — More than £2,000 has been subscribed to appeals for the family of the late Cyril Howe, the Oaklands police officer shot by a killer on December 20 at Oaklands.
The Bushfire Brigade, of which Const. Howe was captain, has opened an appeal, to close on January 21. Tonight the secretary, Mr. D. J. Kerr, reported that a little more than £300 had been received to date, including a £200 gift from the Nowranie Pastoral Co.
This weekend Wagga radio station 2WG conducted an appeal which has raised £1,726.
People from all parts of the Riverina telephoned, promising money.
Gifts ranged from as high as £30 to 2/6 given from a child’s money box.
SYDNEY, Friday. -The Police Association of N.S.W. will press the Police Department to replace all Webley and Scott issue automatic pistols following the death last week of Constable Cyril Howe at Oaklands.
The secretary of the association, Mr. F. C. Laut, said today his organisation had been pressing for a replacement of this type of pistol “for many years”.
Two police officers had lost their lives in recent years when using these pistols, he said.
Both had fired their pistols twice and the mechanisms had jammed at the third shot. They were Constable Howe and Sergeant Nash, who lost his life several years ago at Wollongong.
Mr. Laut emphasised that the failure of the pistols could not necessarily be claimed to have been the cause of the officer’s deaths.
The department, however, apparently admitted a flaw in the issue type of pistol when it permitted officers to arrange for “personal replacements” of weapons.
Mr. Laut said the association had “pinned its hopes” on an Italian made .38 calibre automatic pistol.
Officers had to carry pistols when on duty and could be called to use them at any time.
WAGGA, Thursday. – A week-long hunt for a man and a girl ended tragically today in a fowlhouse at Oaklands, a small village near Wagga.
As five police approached him, the man, William Stanley Little, shot 14-year-oldSusan Lyons and then killed himself.
The fowlhouse in which the double shooting took place was only 50 yards from the house in which Little had been living with Susan Lyon‘s mother for several weeks.
The hunt for Little began last Thursday night when the bodies of Constable Cyril Howe, 31, and a bridge worker, Reginald Hunter, 57, were found within a few miles of Oaklands.
This morning Little made a surprise return to the hut where he had been living.
Police, under Det. Const. W. Sheather, made a routine check of the house today and noticed that a pound of butter had been moved since they checked last night.
Det. Sheather ordered an inspection of all huts and sheds around the house.
As the five policemen began searching a shotgun blast rang out from the fowlhouse.
Police took cover behind a car and then fired three shots over the top of the fowlhouse.
Another single shotgun blast followed.
The police closed in on the shed and Det. Sheather opened the door.
He found the girl dead and Little critically wounded.
Little died before any medical help could be given.
The chief of the C.I.B., Supt. R. Walden, said later the man had shot Susan Lyons and then committed suicide.
“Neither the girl’s death nor the man’s injury was caused by our men,” he said.
Post-mortem
A post-mortem examination was today made in Urana of the bodies of Little and the girl.
A coroner’s inquest will be held, but no date has yet been fixed.
Police believe she had been held captive by Little since last Thursday night.
Police several times had expressed fear that the girl would be held hostage by the man.
“The whole Riverina is seething,” Supt, Kempton, in charge of Wagga district, said tonight.
“Everyone is appalled by the girl’s death.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Allan, tonight expressed his sincere appreciation of police efforts in the hunt.
“All police showed a keenness to see this matter through, which did them great credit,” he said.
“They worked hours and in conditions above and beyond those of the normal requirements of their duty.”
“Maximum temperature for the search area has not fallen below 100 degrees for the past seven days.”
Mr. Allan also thanked private citizens for their part in the search.
Co-operation
Four planes were donated by district graziers to help the search.
Local polo players risked prize ponies to search through dangerous country for the killer.
“This shall be remembered as a typical example of public co-operation with the Police Department in the interests of law enforcement,” Mr. Allan said.
The hunt for Little began when the body of Const. Cyril Howe was found in his police car just off the Oaklands – Jerilderie road.
Before he collapsed, Const. Howe scribbled the name of his assailant in his notebook.
Several hours later, police found Reginald Victor Hunter‘s body in his caravan, 12 miles away.
Like Const. Howe, Hunter has been killed by a shotgun blast.
This picture was taken yesterday only seconds before police fired warning shots over a fowlhouse near Oaklands after they heard the first of two shot gun blasts. They later found William Stanley Little inside, mortally wounded, and 14-year-old Susan Lyons dead.
WAGGA, Sunday. – Police searching for the shotgun killer of a policeman and a contractor in the southern Riverina believe they will track him down
some time tomorrow.
The search will go on through the night.
“I think we’ll have good news for you by tomorrow night,” Supt. J. C. Kempton said tonight.
Supt. Kempton, in charge of the Wagga Police District, is leading the search for the murderer.
Four hundred men-on foot, on horseback, in cars, trucks and four planes today concentrated the search on the sprawling 15,000-acre Werai Forest, near Deniliquin.
They had to fight their way through thick scrub in temperatures between 106 and 110 degrees.
“The men are weary, but confident they are getting close,” another senior police officer said tonight.
Trapped
All available police have been sent to the forest following a report that a car, believed to be driven by the killer, was seen parked in bushes in the forest yesterday.
Mr. J. Haydon, a station hand from Moulamein, told police he saw the car. Its description answered that of the Valiant in which the killer and a 14-year-old girl escaped.
Searchers late yesterday began a methodical check of the entire forest.
“We started on the outside working in; we believe he is trapped in there,” Supt. Kempton said.
Planes
In another new development today, police discovered that the murderer stole a large quantity of food from one of his victims, bridge contractor Mr. Reginald
Hunter, 57, after he had shot him on Thursday.
The other victim was 30 year-old Oaklands policeman Cyril Howe, who died in Wagga Base Hospital yesterday.
“Hunter’s family checked his caravan today and found that a lot of food and some petrol were missing,” Supt. Kempton said.
The car the wanted man is driving also was stolen from Hunter.
All four planes in the search have been volunteered by district graziers. They are using the main street of the small town of Booroorban, about 200 miles west of Wagga, as a runway.
Disguised
The girl travelling with the killer is believed to be pregnant.
Police fear for her life. They believe she may have been forced to cut her hair and dress as a boy.
The girl is of medium build, five feet tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has a boil on the right side of her face.
She was dressed as a boy in a brown shirt, black jumper and khaki trousers.
Before he collapsed Const. Howe was able to scrawl the name of his attacker in his notebook.
In the massive search that followed, police found the body of Hunter in a caravan about half a mile from the spot where Howe was fatally wounded.
He had shotgun wounds in the chest and police believe he died instantly. A doctor said he had been dead for about 12 hours.
The fugitive is believed to be armed with a .22 rifle as well as the shotgun.
I have some information prior to Cyril joining the police force.
Cyril was engaged to my mother. It would have been late 1950’s I guess.
Cyril worked as a volunteer ambulance officer around the Rockdale area I believe.
The engagement was broken off because my grandfather had spent 12 months in Glen Innes prison for stealing some years earlier and that would have impacted Cyrils’ chances of getting into the force.
I do have another photo somewhere, would need to hunt it down.
Constable Cyril Howe was stationed at Oakland’s at the time of his passing.
I believe it was 19 December 2013, when I was LAC of Albury we held a 50 year memorial service at Oakland Police Station for Cst Howe which his wife and daughter attended. They unveiled a memorial plaque and I presented them with framed memorial photos.
It was the first time his wife had returned to Oakland’s since the day he died.
The community And former officers attached to the Murray River area came out to remember him in huge numbers. Many were present in the town on that day or on duty in other nearby locations and reflected on what happened. It is such a shame that it takes the death of one of our fine officers for the government and organisation to act and move onto a different weapon. Again a shame that it was one not designed for the first responders, and again not appropriate in the circumstances until we finally were issued with the glocks.
I was very proud to stand with his wife and daughter and have Constable Howe recognized in this way.
I recently noticed that the picture of that day and the presentation is currently on the NSW Police Legacy home page.
On 7 September, 1963 Constable Robb was the observer in a Police Special Traffic Branch vehicle driven by Constable Bartlett when they became involved in a high speed pursuit in Parramatta Road, Auburn. While attempting to overtake the offending vehicle the police vehicle collided with another car. The impact burst open the doors on the police car, throwing Constable Robb to the roadway and causing fatal injuries. He died before medical assistance arrived. Constable Bartlett was not seriously injured.
Constable Robb was born in 1935 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 March, 1962. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Branch.
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Deadly toll
By Jonathan Pearlman November 6, 2004
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
