Service 1: From 5 June 1950 to August 1954 = 4+ years Service
Service 2: From 26 August 1957 to 31 July 1959 = 1+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1928
Died on: 31 July 1959
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Police cycle – Rider
Event location: Victoria Rd near Gagin St, Parramatta
Age: 30
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial location: ?
JAMES IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
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 pedestrian. The cycle then veered across the road, throwing the constable head first 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 on 26 August, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.
Bernard Alfred ORROCK
| 26/10/2012
Bernard Alfred ORROCK
( late of Alpha Rd, Willoughby )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Sydney Water Police – Death
Service: From 22 January 1951 to 26 February 1955 = 4+ years Service
Awards: Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry
Bronze Medal from the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society for his actions in the floods
BERNARD IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
On 26 February, 1955 Constable Orrock of the Sydney Water Police was performing flood rescue duties in the Maitland area during the horrendous 1955 floods. While travelling with Army and Air Force personnel in an Army Duck toward the Louth Park area, the wireless aerial on the Duck struck live high tension power lines. As a result, Constable Orrock and two Army Signallers, Sergeant William McGrath and Signaller Eric Chard, were killed. The cause of death was asphyxiation caused by electrocution.
He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry and a Bronze Medal from the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society for his actions in the floods that ultimately led to his death.
The constable was born in 1930 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 22 January, 1951. At the time of his death he was attached to the Sydney Water Police.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Tuesday 22 November 1955, page 5
AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY IN N.S.W. FLOODS
SYDNEY, Monday.
The Queen has conferred awards for services during the floods of last February and March.
The awards were announced by the Governor, Sir John Northcott, and the Prime Minister, Mr.Menzies, yesterday.
……….The Superintendent of Newcastle Police, Peter F. McLouglin or McLachlan, and Mr Ian Stuart Black, of Denman, receive the British Empire Medal.
The Queen’s Police Medal for gallantry was awarded posthumously to Constable Bernard Alfred Orrock, of the Sydney Water Police who was killed during rescue operations.
The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct was awarded to four policemen and four civilians.
Inspector Peter McLachlan, of Newcastle, who was awarded the British Empire Medal, personally took part in more than 100 rescues in the Singleton district.
He was without sleep for four days and nights directing dozens of other rescue operations, including the organisation of an aerial flood lift into Singleton, and emergency accommodation for hundreds of homeless people.
Constable Bernard Alfred Orrock, 24, of Alpha Rd, Willoughby, who was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry ( posthumous award ) was attached to the Water Police when he was electrocuted on an Army duck at Maitland on February 26.
The duck on which Orrock was travelling hit a 66,000 volt high tension wire near the Maitland railway bridge while trying to reach 100 people who were stranded there.
Before he was killed he assisted in the rescue and evacuation of about 70 people.
Constable Marius Joseph William John Bourke, Rudolph Luvaine Munns and Svend Aage Ivarsson, awarded the Queen’s Commendation for brave conduct, are all of the Sydney Water Police.
Washed Over Dam In Boats
There were in two police flood boats, which were washed over a dam, near Singleton, while trying to get Inspector McLachlan into Singleton at night.
Constables Bourke and Ivarsson later in Singleton, took part in scored of rescues under Inspector McLachlan.
Constable Munns worked with Constable Orrock at Maitland and took part in more than 100 rescues.
Wash from a ship’s propeller swept a man to death beneath a wharf at Walsh Bay yesterday.
A wharf foreman, who plunged fully clothed into the water to rescue him, received cuts and bruises when he was buffeted against the wharf.
Drowned was John Allan Mitchell, 57, of Nicholson Street, Balmain.
Mitchell, a welder, was working on the stern of the motor vessel Braeside, moored at No. 7 wharf.
He was standing on scaffolding on a raft floating between the ship’s stern and the wharf, when wash from another ship, Muliama, rocked the raft, overturned the scaffolding, and sent him tumbling into the water.
A wharf foreman, James Curry, of Cascade Street, Paddington, dived into the water and supported Mitchell until Maritime Services Board employees Stewart Dutton, of Herne Bay, and Leslie Lindwall, of Seaview Street, Dulwich Hill, reached them in a launch.
Mitchell was given artificial respiration before the arrival of the police launch Typhon, with Constables B. Orrock and W. Atkins aboard.
Central District Ambulance took Mitchell to Sydney Hospital, but he was dead on arrival.
Water Police yesterday rescued a man clinging to a pylon in three feet of water under a wharf at Walsh Bay.
The man, William McCormack, 60, of Victoria, told police he did not know how he got into the water, but must have been there for hours.
He was blue with cold, and on the point of collapse when rescued by Constable B. Orrock, assisted by Sergeant D. Lechleitner and Constable J. Nicholson.
McCormack was admitted to Sydney Hospital suffering from immersion.
On the evening of the 26 November, 1953 Constables Martin and Bacon were returning to the Belmont Police Station after attending the Newcastle Court. Constable Morris Bacon ( 27 old ) of Robert St, Strathfield, was driving his private car and Constable Martin was asleep in the front passenger seat. On the Pacific Highway at South Belmont the vehicle skidded, left the road and overturned. As a result both were taken to the Royal Newcastle Hospital however Constable Martin had sustained severe head injuries and died later that night.
The constable was born in 1921 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 16 April, 1950. At the time of his death he was stationed at Burwood.
National Police Remembrance Day ceremony in Lake Macquarie
David Stewart
September 29 2017 – 4:27PM
POLICE from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have unveiled plans for a memorial wall at Belmont to honour the seven local officerskilled in the line of duty since 1863.
Plaques commemorating the seven officers were dedicated to the wall in a ceremony at Belmont police stationthis afternoon, National Police Remembrance Day.
Chief Inspector Murray Lundberg of Lake Macquarie LAC presided over a private ceremony attended by police, local high school students, and the families of the fallen officers.
“This is a time for reflection on the ultimate sacrifice that police officers can give in the execution of their duty,” Chief Inspector Lundberg said.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, the Northern Region Commander, said the wall of remembrance, to be created on the distinctive blue wall at the entrance to the police station, would be striking.
“It will be a sight to treasure,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
“I want the officers, as they are walking out the front doors of this police station, to stop and reflect on the names, stop and reflect on the sacrifice.”
He said he hoped that the inaugural plaques to be installed on the wall were also the last.
“My dream is that we never, ever, add another name to this wall. I hope and pray that our wall is now complete.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree reached out to the families of the fallen officers.
“No commemoration or recognition can make good the loss that is unfairly carried by family members,” he said.
“I can only offer you my heartfelt condolences. Please know that your loved ones, who are no longer with us, will always be remembered.”
Across NSW, ceremonies were held to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the 269 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and through injury or illness, since the formation of the NSW Police Force in 1862.
Great Uncle to Vicki Alexis McCrohon – NSWPF – NSWPF – P/W 0123 – Class 120 ( 1964 ) & Rejoinee P/W 0202 – Class 141 ( 1974 )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘Q‘ 9403
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 1 April 1912
Final Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class – Death
Stations: ?, Central Police Station – 1 Division, Belmore ( 1916 ), Regent St – 2 Division, Newtown – 5 Division ( ? – 26 March 1939 ), Wagga Wagga ( 27 March 1939 ‘ Sgt ‘ – ? ),
13 Division, Clarence St Police Station – Death
Service: From 1 April 1912 to 17 March 1944 = 31+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 21 September 1887 – Barraba, NSW
Died on: Friday 17 March 1944 during the evening
Age: 56
Cause: Collision – hit by train
Event location: Hurlstone Park
Event date: Friday 17 March 1944
Funeral date: Monday 20 March 1944
Funeral location: Rookwood Crematorium
Funeral Parlour: Walters and Son, Dulwich Hill
Buried at: Cremated ?
Memorial located at: ?
Constable Ernest Edward McCROHON the young policeman, who at Newtown a fortnight ago, had a sensational chase after four suspects and about 3a.m. on Saturday, arrested a man who had been behaving in a suspicious manner. On handcuffing his man, after a struggle, he found that he had a revolver in his hip pocket.
ERNEST is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
18 March, 1944 reported the following double tragedy surrounding the death of Sergeant McCrohon.
POLICE SERGEANT KILLED – MAN DIES GIVING FIRST AID.
Police Sergeant Edward McCrohon, 56, attached to No. 1 Police Station, was killed by a train last night while crossing the railway track between Hurlstone Park and Canterbury stations.
John Whitfield, a railway employee, who was a passenger on the train, collapsed and died as he began to give first aid to McCrohon.
Sergeant McCrohon was on his way home when he was killed.
The sergeant was born on 21 September, 1887 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 April, 1912. He served at Metropolitan Divisions 1, 2, 5 and 13, as well as at Wagga Wagga. At the time of his death he was stationed at No. 1 Division (Central).
McCROHON. – The Relatives and Friends of the late Ernest Edward McCrohon ( Police Sergeant, No. 1 Division ), of 14 Keir Avenue, Hurlstone Park, are invited to attend his Funeral to leave our Funeral Chapel, This Monday, at 11 a.m., for the Crematorium Rookwood.
WHILE CROSSING THE RAILWAY LINES between Hurlstone Park and Canterbury railway stations on Friday night, Sergeant Edward Ernest McCrohon, 56, of the Clarence Street police station was struck by a train, and killed.
When John Whitfield, 62, night officer at the Belmore railway station who was a passenger on the train, alighted to give assistance, he had a sudden seizure and collapsed. He died beside the body of the police sergeant.
Sergeant E. E. McCrohon, formerly of Newtown, Sydney, took up duty in Wagga yesterday in succession to Sergeant Kidd, who has been transferred to Newtown.
Mr. H. Richardson Clark, Parramatta coroner, at an inquest at Bankstown on the dead body of a boy named Thomas Adamson, aged 11½ years, who was drowned in a waterhole in Punchbowl, through getting out of his depth while searching for his sister’s shoe, complimented a brave constable.
The waterhole is in a very secluded position, about eight feet in diameter, and very deep, with no shallow approach, so that directly the hole is entered the water, is about six feet deep, and the sides of it are of clay, being extremely slippery.
The Belmore police were informed of the accident, and Constable McCrohon proceeded to the place with all speed.
He there found a man who was fishing for the boy with a rake, whereupon the constable immediately disrobed and took a header right into the hole.
Before he went in the man with the rake warned him against diving in, as it was dangerous, but notwithstanding that the constable dived right in and brought up the child at once.
The evidence at the Inquest was that the constable knew nothing whatever of the waterhole, and had never seen it before, and that after he recovered the body he and Dr. Miller worked upon it three-quarters of an hour to restore life, but unfortunately without success.
Dr. Miller, in his evidence, stated that he thought the conduct of the constable was most praiseworthy, as had there been any rocks or snags or old stumps in the waterhole McCrohon might have broken his neck when he dived in.
The coroner, in finding a verdict of accidental death, said that he had great pleasure in concurring with the opinion of Dr. Miller as to the conduct of Constable McCrohon, and that he would bring it under the favorable notice of the Inspector-General of Police.
At the Newtown Police Court yesterday, in a case in which Charles Joseph Wall, aged 27, was charged with assault, the evidence of Constable McCrohon was that while he was arresting a man at midnight of April 21, his prisoner resisted, and Wall and others tried to drag the prisoner free.
Finally witness was forced to let the man go, and he then arrested Wall.
Sergeant J. D. Scott said that at the police stationWall accused the constable of having assaulted him. Witness, at his request, looked at Wall‘s mouth, but it was not cut, and there was no sign of blood.
Wall, in defence, said he did not assist the prisoner to escape, all he did was to put his hand on McCrohon and say: ” Constable, let him go quietly. ” McCrohon was then down and was hitting the prisoner as he lay on the ground.
After the prisoner escaped, witness said to the policeman: ” I think you hit that man terrible with the baton. I think it is my place to go up and give evidence against you. ” McCrohon then arrested witness; and in the station he got witness by the mouth and shook him. His mouth was cut, and he was spitting blood.
Sydney Alexander Colls, a barman at the Oxford Hotel, Newtown, said that Wall did not interfere with the constable while the latter was struggling with his prisoner. The defendant was not intoxicated.
Sergeant Moran said he saw no injury. Defendant was shouting and was abusive.
The magistrate ( Mr. Payten ) said that he would not ask for any evidence to be called in rebuttal of the allegations against the police, but as the department might deem it necessary to hold an inquiry, he ordered a copy of the depositions to be forwarded.
In regard to the case itself, he did not think that the probability was that the constable, while violently struggling with his prisoner; could say that Wall was the man who assaulted him when there were other men there too.
No assault was disclosed that would merit punishment.
The plucky action of Constable McCrohon led to the timely capture of a runaway on the Newtown railway bridge last night. A horse in a spring cart, driven by Clarence O’Loughlan, of 163 Lennox-street, Newtown, bolted from the bottom of the Newtown Tramway Depot yard, and, when heading for King-street, had put on a fine turn of speed.
McCrohon, who was crossing the bridge, noticed the galloping steed, and without hesitation caught the horse’s head as it dashed by. He was dragged a little distance, but brought the runaway to a stop before any harm was done.
Many people were about at the time, and the constable’s bravery was favorably commented upon.
Constable McCrohon was in King-street, St. Peters, on June 21, and when he saw Aubrey Harrison, aged 27, urge a dog to attack a horse in a cart he asked Harrison for his name and address. The man refused, and as the policeman closed with him, Harrison called to the dog, and it tore the officer’s trousers.
On the way to the watchhouse the prisoner used indecent language.
At the Newtown Police Court to-day Harrison was charged with offensive behavior, using Indecent language, assaulting McCrohon, and damaging his uniform. He was defended by Mr. L. Gannon.
Harrison denied the truth of the Charges.
The magistrate ( Mr. Smithers ) imposed fines and costs amounting to £7 11s 6d. The option was two months’ gaol.
In regard to a request that time be allowed to pay the magistrate said he would grant seven days to pay in three cases, but as far as the charge of indecent language was concerned he would, if he had the power, order Harrison to gaol.
Filthy language, he said, was the outcome of a filthy mind, and seemed to be part of the nature of a man who used it.
A few weeks ago Constable McCrohon of the Newton Police, captured a burglar under sensational circumstances, and the total municipal council at the instance of Alderman Lewis, sent a letter to the Inspector-General of Police expressing its appreciation of the bravery of the constable.
At the last meeting of the council a communication was received from Mr. Day stating that he was pleased to know of the council’s views in the matter, which coincided with his own, and he had ordered a favorable entry to be made on the constable’s record sheet.
About 2 o’clock yesterday morning Constable McCrohon and Watchman Taylor, who were in King-street, Newtown, noticed two men outside Selig’s pawn office. Being suspicious concerning the men, because of the early hour; the constables went towards them. The men made off immediately, one of them dropping an iron bar about 3 foot long.
They ran down Bucknell street towards McDonaldtown railway station.
Constable McCrohon hurried after the men, calling upon them to stop. They took no notice of his command, and he fired over their heads without effect upon their movements. Three more shots were fired, but the men disappeared and have not been traced since.
An examination of the premises near where the men were first soon showed that nothing had been interfered with.
Detective Constable 1st Class John Edward DUNN Shot at Wollongong 25 April, 1940
On 25 April, 1940 Sergeant Hall attended a dwelling in Ocean Street, Wollongong where an offender named Hinsby had beaten his wife to death.
After he was confronted and threatened by the offender, who had now taken siege in the house, he called for reinforcements.
Among those to attend were Detectives John Dunn and R.A. Debney.
While negotiations were taking place with the offender, a piece of paper was thrown from a window, and, assuming that it was a note from the offender, Detective Debney crept up to the window to retrieve the paper. As he did so, a shot was fired from inside the house, through the window. The shot struck Detective Dunn, who was waiting nearby and watching Detective Debney. The bullet hit Detective Dunn in the forehead and he was killed instantly.
Tear gas was then used in an effort to flush the offender out, however it was soon found that Hinsby had committed suicide.
The Advocate newspaper of 22 May, 1940 reported briefly on the inquest into the matter.
RISKED LIFE ONLY TO SEE COMRADE SHOT
SYDNEY, Tuesday – “You two are married, I’m single. I’ll go and get it.” Saying this to two other detectives, Detective Debney went to a window of a house in which an armed murderer was holding the police at bay at Wollongong on April 25 to receive a paper which had fallen from the window.
When he reached the window a shot was fired and Detective Dunn, one of the detectives who had remained behind, fell fatally wounded.
This story was told at the inquest to-day into the death of Detective John Edward Dunn (35), George Hinsby (55), and his wife, Amelia Devine Hinsby (45).
The Coroner found that Hinsby murdered his wife and Detective Dunn and committed suicide while temporarily insane.
It was stated in evidence that since an accident 15 years ago Hinsby had been subject to ungovernable fits of rage.”
The detective constable was born in Victoria in 1904 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 March, 1929.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Wollongong.
National Police Memorial
John was, reportedly, married to Lawna DUNN nee COOK.
Edgar John WILLIAMS
| 26/10/2012
Edgar John WILLIAMS
New South Wales Police Force
Sergeant 2nd Class
Served for over 25 years
Motor Vehicle Accident
Coolah
Died Saturday 28 August, 1926
Funeral ?
About 2pm on 28 August, 1926 Sergeant Williams was a passenger travelling with two other men in a vehicle returning from the Dunedoo Court. Along the Leadville Road the vehicle skidded, left the roadway and somersaulted, ejecting all three men. The sergeant was killed instantly, while the other two men were seriously injured in the accident. The Mercury newspaper dated 30 August, 1926 briefly reported the accident.
MOTOR CAR SOMERSAULTS – POLICE SERGEANT KILLED.
SYDNEY. ( Saturday ) August 28 – A shocking motoring accident occurred on the Leadville Road, three miles from Coolah, about 2 o’clock this afternoon. A car was returning from the Dunedoo Police Court, with Harold Fraser (driver), Fred Haynes and Sergeant Edgar John Williams, when it skidded. The front wheels locked and the car ran off the road. It turned a complete somersault, and the occupants were thrown out. Sergeant Williams was killed almost instantly. Haynes and Fraser were injured.
The sergeant was born in 1873 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 21 May, 1900. At the time of his death he was probably stationed at Louth.
Sergeant Williams was a member of the police force for over 25 years, and was just due for six months long service leave. He was a second class sergeant for nearly eleven years. He had also served at Cobar and Louth. He is survived by Mrs. Williams, three daughters and one son.
Recorder ( Port Pirie, S.A. ) Monday 30 August 1926 page 1 of 4
FATAL CAPSIZE.
Police Sergeant Killed.
SYDNEY, Sunday. ( 29 Aug. )
Sergeant Edgar Williams, of the Coolah police, was killed instantly in a car capsize yesterday, three miles from Coolah, near Mudgee.
Williams and Frederick Haynes were (returning) turning from the Dunedoo Court in a car driven by Harold Fraser, 25, when for some unknown reason the car turned over, and Williams was pinned underneath and crushed to death. He leaves a widow and four children. Haynes was unhurt, while Fraser was Injured in the back
There is some confusion in relation to the correct date of death.
Newspaper articles have him being killed on Saturday 28 August 1926 but his grave stone states the date of death as 29 August 1927. ???
Further investigations continuing as to the correct date of death – July 2014.
James ELLIS
| 26/10/2012
James ELLIS
New South Wales Police Force
Sergeant
Regd. # ?
Stations: Broken Hill, Tiboobrra as O.I.C.,
Brewarrina for only 2 months
Born: ?
Died 10 May 1924
39 old
Illness – Suicide
Brewarrina
Funeral: ?
Buried: ?
On a Saturday morning in 1924 Sergeant Ellis of the Brewarrina Police Station ended his life by shooting himself in the chest and head. Little is known of the sergeant and his death other than a brief extract from the local (Brewarrina) newspaper which indicates that: “Sergeant Ellis was up and about on the Saturday morning attending to his duties and seemed as cheerful as ever, and Constable Woodward received a rude shock on going for the sergeant to accompany him to breakfast, to find him lying dead in a pool of blood on the floor. An examination by Dr. Duncan showed that Sergeant Ellis had shot himself twice, over the heart and in the temple. The body of the Sergeant was placed in a lead-lined coffin and forwarded to Singleton yesterday morning for interment”
The NSW Register of Coroners Inquests and Magisterial Inquiries, 1834-1942 indicates that an inquest was held into the sergeant’s death on 12 May, 1924 at Brewarrina. It was found that Sergeant Ellis died at Brewarrina as a result of a “bullet wound in the head wilfully self-inflicted.”
A year after the sergeant’s death the following announcement appeared in ‘In Memoriam’ column of The Argus, dated 9 May, 1925: ELLIS – In fond and loving memory of my dear fiance, Sergeant James Ellis, who died at Brewarrina, N.S.W. on 10th May, 1924. The link that bound us here below still binds my heart to thine. (Inserted by Flora Thomson, Hampton.)
The sergeant was a native of Wyalong and in 1919 was transferred from Broken Hill to Tibooburra as the officer-in-charge of that station. He was then transferred to Brewarrina on 4 March, 1924. He had only been at Brewarrina for two months when he died at the age of 39 years.
Sergeant 2nd Class James McDONNELL
| 26/10/2012
James McDONNELL
New South Wales Police Force
Sergeant 2nd Class
Shot – Murdered
Warren
Died 26 December, 1911
57 old
Funeral
The sergeant was the Officer-in-Charge of the Warren Police Station. About 7.30pm on 26 December, 1911 he attended a street disturbance in the township involving an intoxicated man by the name of Neale, whom he subsequently arrested. While they were walking to the police station, Neale suddenly produced a revolver and shot Sergeant MacDonnell through the heart. Neale was quickly subdued by Constable Mitchell, with the assistance of a number of local men. (He is sometimes referred to as Sergeant John McDonnell/MacDonnell).
The Kalgoorlie Western Argus of 2 January, 1912 reported the incident.
MURDERER REMANDED. Warren (N.S.W.) December 27. A coloured man, John Neal, appeared before the police court today on a charge of having murdered Sergeant John McDonnell, who was shot dead in the street last night while attempting to arrest Neal. McDonnell was shot through the heart and died instantly. He was 57 years of age and leaves a widow and two sons. Neal was remanded for eight days.
The sergeant was born in 1854 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 6 March, 1878. At the time of his death he was stationed at Warren.
[divider_dotted]
The Burrowa News ( NSW ) Friday 29 December 1911 page 6 of 7
Police Sergeant Killed.
SHOT MAKING AN ARREST.
Sergeant McDonnell, of Warren, was on Tuesday night shot dead by a foreigner known as ‘Sam,’ whom he was endeavouring to arrest. ‘ Sam,’ whose other name has not yet transpired, was in the opinion of the police, behaving riotously and using bad language in the town. Sergeant McDonnell came along at about half-past 7, and was about to arrest the foreigner, when the latter drew a revolver and shot the sergeant through the heart. The sergeant died almost immediately. The foreigner was subsequently arrested by Constable Mitchell, and confined in the Warren Police Station.
On the 18 April, 1910 the mounted constable made a patrol to the police paddock, and while he was returning his troop horse began to buck. The horse then bolted and Senior Constable Smith was thrown violently against a tree, sustaining severe internal injuries. Knowing he would not be found before it became dark, he began to walk towards town. When he had travelled a short distance he was found by some men who helped him into Euston in a barrow. A doctor arrived from Balranald that night and after examining the injured man made arrangements to have him taken to hospital. Unfortunately the vehicle conveying the injured constable to hospital broke down and he passed away.
The Register newspaper of 25 April, 1910 reported that ” Regret is expressed at Wentworth ” at the sudden death of Senior Constable Smith, officer in charge of the police at Euston, 80 miles from Wentworth. The constable, it appears was thrown from his horse, which had stumbled and rolled on his chest. At first his symptoms were not considered serious but as the day advanced and while the constable was being driven to Balranald for medical treatment, he expired. He has left a widow and six children. The late constable was highly esteemed in the district, and was a general favourite.
The senior constable was born in 1871 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 February, 1897. At the time of his death he was stationed at Euston.
2/1/2019, Deniliquin Times.
Eight honoured on police memorial wall’ –
Seven former local police officers and a former police chaplain were honoured during a police reunion in Deniliquin.
They were the first to be added to the police memorial wall at the new Deniliquin police station.
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 3 November, 1908 contained the following brief story of the death of the constable. He had been treated for depression shortly prior to his death.
SENIOR CONSTABLE’S SUICIDE – SHOOTS HIMSELF IN BATHROOM.
Casino, Monday.
Senior Constable O’Connor shot himself this morning in his bathroom at 8 o’clock. He fired three times, the last shot tearing the side of his face and head away. Lately O’Connor seemed quieter than usual, but there was nothing to suggest that he contemplated taking his own life. He leaves a wife and six children.
At the time of his death by suicide, the constable was aged 42 years and was stationed at Casino. He had previously served at Maclean, Broadwater and Lismore.
