New Zealand Police honours and remembers officers and employees killed as a direct result of their duties.
Officers and staff who died as a direct result of duty
Office Administrator Pamela (Pam) Maree Brien
Died:22nd February 2011PapanuiDied when Christchurch’s CTV building collapsed in the 6.3 Canterbury earthquake.
Detective Travis Brent Hughes
Died:29th January 2005QueenstownDied when a Cessna 172 aircraft crashed in the Gibbston Valley during a routine cannabis reconnaissance mission.
Senior Constable Philip (Piripi) Anthony Wipatene
Died:15th July 2004New PlymouthDied as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash on the Oakura Bridge.
Senior Technician Glenn William Phillips
Died:7th March 2000HamiltonDied in a helicopter crash on Mt Karioi near Raglan en route to test radio repeater stations.
Police Pilot Allan Anthony Joseph Connors
Died:26th November 1993AucklandDied when the Police Aerial Traffic Control Plane crashed with the Police helicopter EaglePolice Pilot Ross Jeffree Harvey
Died:26th November 1993AucklandDied when the Police helicopter Eagle crashed with a Police Aerial Traffic Control PlaneSergeant Lindsay (Lou) Eion Grant
Died:26th November 1993AucklandDied when the Police helicopter Eagle collided with a fixed wing aircraft over the Auckland motorway.
Constable Alastair Alan Sampson
Died:26th November 1993AucklandDied when the Police helicopter Eagle collided with a fixed wing aircraft over the Auckland motorway.
Detective Anthony Raymond Harrod
Died:17th December 1990WanganuiDied as a result of falling from a helicopter while conducting a cannabis recovery operation.
Constable Glenn Andrews Hughes
Died:2nd July 1986WellingtonDrowned when the police launch Lady Elizabeth II sank in heavy seas off Barrett’s reef at the entrance to Wellington harbour.
Senior Sergeant Philip William Ward
Died:2nd July 1986WellingtonDrowned when the police launch Lady Elizabeth II sank in heavy seas off Barrett’s reef at the entrance to Wellington harbour.
Constable Graeme Stuart Wackrow
Died:25th March 1984DannevirkeDied as result of injuries received in a motor vehicle crash on SH2 south of Dannevirke.
Constable Peter Robert Heritage
Died:11th May 1983AshburtonDied as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle crash in Ashburton.
Traffic Officer Steven Alan Perry
Died:4th April 1983Lower HuttOn his patrol motorcycle he collided with another vehicle on the corner of Nelson Street and the Esplanade, Petone. He died in Wellington hospital of his injuries. Aged 22.
Constable Gregory Donald Rowe
Died:1st April 1978WellingtonDied as a result of injuries received when the Lady Elizabeth II police launch was rescuing a yacht in heavy seas. His body was never recovered.
Traffic Officer Robert Clive Bell
Died:12th February 1978WellingtonResponding to a vehicle crash on his motorcycle with red light flashing he crashed into a car that pulled out into his path and suffered severe head injury. Aged 21.
Constable Alan Robert Liddell
Died:26th February 1976GreymouthDrowned in the Grey River helping to recreate a crime scene.
Traffic Officer George Nelson
Died:25th October 1975WellingtonA sports car pulled into his path, he was thrown from his motorcycle on impact and suffered severe head injury. Aged 23.
Constable Peter Allan Hart
Died:9th March 1974NapierConstable Hart was on duty when he stopped to assist a motorist whose car had broken down. A car travelling in the same direction crashed into the rear of the car and killed him.
Traffic Officer Martin Ross Miller
Died:14th March 1973WellingtonCollision with a truck on the Johnsonville – Porirua motorway while riding his patrol motorcycle. Aged 21.
Traffic Officer Richard Henry Cecil Dench
Died:23rd November 1970ChristchurchLost control of his motorcycle while pursuit training on the road between Paremata and Pauatahanui. Aged 31.
Constable Charles Mauger Rhodes
Died:3rd April 1969GreymouthDied after contracting pneumonia while searching for two offenders in adverse field conditions.
Transport Department Inspector George Henry Jenner
Died:15th May 1955ChristchurchCollision with a truck whilst supervising a drivers’ licence test on 4th May 1955. Aged 58.
Transport Department Inspector Edmund Lawrence Fox
Died:6th December 1954GoreHead-on collision with a truck that crossed the centre-line near Waikaia. Aged 34.
Traffic Inspector Ivan Eugene Joel Pearson
Died:23rd September 1953WellingtonBorn: c1925
Years as a Traffic Inspector: two
Age: 28
Married with childrenOn Monday 21 September 1953, Traffic Inspector Ivan Pearson was performing motorcycle patrol duty on the Hutt Road when he crashed, injuring his left shoulder and head. He was taken to Wellington Hospital but succumbed to his injuries two days later.
His funeral was on 25 September and was attended by the Wellington City Mayor, Mr Macallister, Councillors Treadwell, Kitts and McGrath and the new Traffic Superintendent, Mr James Anderson. Also present were senior police and traffic officials. The Reverend Simson officiated at the Church of St Anne, Newtown and at the graveside, Karori Cemetery.
Constable Andrew (Andy) James Cummings
Died:26th April 1946AucklandDied as a result of injuries received when the police car in which he was a passenger crashed on Great North Road, Western Springs.
Constable Cecil Edgar Orr
Died:24th February 1942AucklandConstable Orr was searching for a diamond ring that had been thrown from a train near Parnell. He was killed instantly when struck by a locomotive.
Constable Neils Godley French Berntsen
Died:9th February 1941WanganuiDrowned while guarding a wreck at Castlecliff.
Constable Richard Byrne
Died:2nd April 1940NapierDied as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle crash in Napier.
Constable William John Watt
Died:10th August 1939WaimateDied as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle crash at Elephant Hill Creek, South Canterbury.
Main Highways Board Inspector Thomas Arthur Allcock
Died:24th December 1938RotoruaStruck by a truck as he tried to pull over another vehicle. Aged 25.
Constable John (Jack) Albert Elstone
Died:3rd March 1936KawakawaDied of injuries received in a motorbike crash near Paihia.
Constable Charles Hayward Williams
Died:13th August 1935HamiltonDrowned in the Waikato River attempting to rescue a woman. He was posthumously honoured by the Royal Humane Society.
Constable Patrick Joseph O’Gorman
Died:21st May 1935AvondaleDied after being struck by a taxi as he stepped into the road to stop a truck.
Constable James Shields
Died:25th October 1933HuntlyDied from injuries received when the vehicle he was a passenger in was struck by the Rotorua – Auckland express.
Constable Henry Henderson
Died:1st July 1932ChristchurchDied from injuries received when the bike he was riding was hit by a taxi.
Constable Adam George Begg
Died:23rd February 1926Auckland CityDied after being struck by a passing train in the Parnell Tunnel while searching for an escaped prisoner.
Traffic Inspector William Henry Cross
Died:29th April 1924WellingtonBorn: c1878
Years as a Traffic Inspector: six
Age: 46
Married with one sonWilliam had worked for a number of years for the Wellington City Corporation, and transferred to traffic enforcement duties in 1918.
On Saturday evening, 26 April, the weather was rainy and windy. It had been a race day and a steady stream of cars had left the Trentham Race Course and were heading back to Wellington City via the Hutt Road (now the Old Hutt Road). A new strip of bitumen had been laid close to the Kaiwharawhara turn-off towards Ngaio, and a number of drivers were treating it like a race strip. Traffic Inspector Cross was on point duty, to slow the traffic. At dusk the traffic was still heavy, and he stood on the crown of the road. He tried to slow a speeding car by signalling to the driver, but the car struck him, leaving him severely injured with broken legs and a fractured skull.
The car stopped some metres up the road, the driver and passengers walked back to look at William, then returned to the car and drove away before police or ambulance arrived. The driver was heard to say “It wasn’t my fault!” William died three days later in Wellington Hospital.
The driver of the car consulted with his lawyer on the Monday morning after the crash. When the three passengers were interviewed by police they all stated that the driver had been asked multiple times to slow down and stop overtaking cars. They had all seen Traffic Inspector Cross on the road.
After the inquest the case was directed to the Supreme Court and the driver was charged with manslaughter. Despite the passengers all testifying in the Supreme Court concerning the driver’s dangerous driving, a pedestrian witness also gave evidence and stated that Traffic Inspector Cross was hard to see in his dark uniform and with no lights. The manslaughter charge was dismissed.
William Cross was dedicated to road safety and it was noted that he lost his life in the execution of his duty, which had as its aim the safety of the public[1].
Constable Malcolm Gordon MacIntosh Smart
Died:28th January 1924DunedinDrowned in the Otago Harbour while on police business.
Constable John Samuel Doak
Died:30th November 1918InvercargillJohn Samuel Doak (Constable No 1787) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 36.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Ralph Wakefield Pettit
Died:28th November 1918LevinRalph Wakefield Pettit (Constable No 1791) contracted influenza while performing his duty, 28.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable John Lachlan McKenzie
Died:26th November 1918InvercargillJohn Lachlan McKenzie (Constable No 1814) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 35.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable John William Robinson
Died:21st November 1918OtorohangaJohn William Robinson (Constable No 1273) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 40.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Senior Sergeant John Burrows
Died:19th November 1918InvercargillJohn Burrows (Sergeant No 472A) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 42.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable George Arthur Gordine
Died:18th November 1918AucklandGeorge Arthur Gordine (Constable No 1775) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 34.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Ronald Frederick Thomas
Died:18th November 1918ChristchurchRonald Frederick Thomas (Constable No 1820) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 27.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Wilfred Gilmore McRoberts
Died:17th November 1918GreymouthWilfred Gilmore McRoberts (Constable No 1661) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 38.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable John Nash
Died:16th November 1918GreymouthJohn Nash (Constable No 1063) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 39.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable John Garvey
Died:14th November 1918TaumaranuiJohn Garvey (Constable No 1889) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 26.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Dan Hasselberg
Died:14th November 1918TimaruDan Hasselberg (Constable No 1996) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 27.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable John Joseph O’Gorman
Died:13th November 1918AucklandJohn Joseph O’Gorman (Constable No 2002) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 32.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable James Smyth
Died:5th November 1918AucklandJames Smyth (Constable No 2061) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 30.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Hubert Edgar Hicks
Died:5th November 1918AucklandHubert Edgar Hicks (Constable No 1933) contracted influenza while performing his duty, aged 29.
Marking 100 years since 14 Police Officers died in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic
As with all influenza pandemics it is the weak, the elderly, the very young and the immune compromised that succumb. Because of the toll that was taken across the country New Zealand Police were required to attend to the dead and enter households where the illness was rife, in place of medical professionals, public health officials and funeral directors. They had a much greater chance of catching the disease.
At a time when the entire Police Force numbered less than 1000 this was a huge percentage and represented a great loss to New Zealand Police.
The Commissioner's annual report of 1919 indicated that at its height as many as 65 members of the Auckland District Police were off sick. The Commissioner paid tribute to the heroic and unselfish work carried out by police throughout the country - aiding the sick, burying the dead and giving assistance to local bodies, relief organisations and medical staff. Most of the police who died are believed to have contracted the disease in the execution of their duty and grants of compassionate allowances were made to their widows and children.
On the 16 December 1918 the Police Commissioner John O’Donovan wrote in the Police Gazette:
“The Honourable the Minister of Justice desires to place on record here his deep regret for the death of these valuable officers, and his sense of the loss the Department has sustained thereby. He also desires to express his admiration of the manner in which all ranks acquitted themselves during the influenza epidemic and thus obtained the approbation of the people in general. I desire to be associated with the Hon. the Minister in this expression of his sentiments.”Constable Denis Mahoney
Died:29th March 1914Upper HuttDied while attending a fire at an Upper Hutt store that exploded because of illegally stored gelignite.
Constable Henry Herbert Hancox
Died:21st June 1910ŌkāritoDrowned in the Karangarua River while on police business.
Constable Luke McDonnell
Died:29th June 1901PonsonbyDied from an illness contracted on duty.
Constable Michael James Mitchell
Died:31st January 1898AucklandDied from an illness contracted on duty.
Constable Alfred John Stephenson
Died:16th April 1897NapierDrowned while rescuing citizens from floods in Napier.
Sergeant Florence O’Donovan
Died:16th April 1897NapierDrowned while rescuing citizens from floods in Napier.
Constable Thomas Ward
Died:21st August 1896WellingtonDied when he fell from a train in the Lyttlelton Tunnel while returning to Wellington after escorting a prisoner to Timaru.
Constable George Harrison Brooking
Died:20th May 1896WaihiDied from an illness contracted on duty.
Constable Charles Hogg
Died:16th October 1893KohukohuDrowned in the Hokianga Harbour while on police business.
Constable John Cotter
Died:4th July 1890NewmarketDied from an illness contracted on duty.
Constable Cornelius O’Shea
Died:16th November 1887AucklandDied from an illness contracted on duty.
Senior Constable Henry Porter
Died:21st June 1887Port ChalmersDrowned while doing night rounds in Port Chalmers.