National Police Memorial

On this day

Constable

Mark Ian POSTMA

YEAR OF DEATH

23 February 1987

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 23 February 1987 Constable Postma completed his rostered shirt and attended a club where he engaged in a physical fitness workout. Shortly afterwards he entered the bar area of the club and consumed a few glasses of orange juice. He then collapsed. Other Police assisted Constable Postma until the arrival of an Ambulance which conveyed him to the Canterbury District Hospital. He was found to be dead on arrival. The Constable was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 April 1984. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ashfield Highway Patrol.

On this day

Foot Constable

John McLennan HOLMAN

YEAR OF DEATH

23 February 1929

JURISDICTION

South Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

John Holman took a bullet in the abdomen on a Saturday night in Grenfell St just 10 minutes before the end of shift. He and Constable Ernest Budgen had responded unarmed to a report of gunshots emerging from a dispute between criminals. In Grenfell St the officers seized a motorcycle and sidecar which belonged to one of the offenders and moved to take it to the City Watch House. At that moment John Stanley McGrath and another man appeared and confronted them. McGrath drew a .32 semi-automatic pistol and fired at Holman before an armed officer John Clement King arrived on the scene to back up his colleagues. After a vicious gunfight McGrath and his accomplice fled as King and Budgen chased after them. Holman bleeding from his wound also chased McGrath but collapsed outside the Grenfell Hotel. Although doctors worked frantically to save him Holman died 90 minutes later in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Recovered from his lower abdomen was a nickel-coated bullet. Holman honoured with a State funeral left behind three brothers two sisters and his then fiance.

On this day

Senior Constable

Henry James FETHERSTON

YEAR OF DEATH

23 February 1885

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Injuries were sustained by Senior Constable Fetherston in 1885 when he fell from his horse during the execution of his duties. His death resulted from the injuries he sustained in the fall.

On this day

Sergeant 1st Class

James PORTER

YEAR OF DEATH

23 February 1881

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 7 p.m. 22 February 1881 Sergeant Porter fell down a flight of stone steps at the Richmond Depot and was fatally injured. He died at the Police Hospital at Wellington Parade at 10.05 p.m. 23 February 1881.

On this day

Senior Constable

John FOY

YEAR OF DEATH

23 February 1863

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

Senior Constable Foy was the Lockup-keeper at Tabulam in the Northern Police District west of Casino. On Saturday 23 February 1863 the Clarence River flooded and the Constable evacuated his wife and family to safety. This accomplished he returned to the lockup to salvage his family’s personal belongings. The floodwaters continued to rise however and the police lockup and courthouse were swept away. The Constable was drowned. The Senior Constable was born in 1814 joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 August 1859. At the time of his death he was stationed at Tabulam.