National Police Memorial

On this day

Constable 1st Class

Andrew James MURRAY

YEAR OF DEATH

23 March 1989

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 23 March 1989 Constable Murray and his family were holidaying at Byron Bay. About 3.05pm on that day they were at Tallows Beach when the Constable saw a young woman in distress in the water. He then took his surf ski and paddled out through a rough two metre swell to assist. The girl’s boyfriend at this time also entered the water and managed to help her to safety. Constable Murray had at this time unfortunately been tipped off his surf ski and was seen with an arm raised indicating that he was having difficulties. He was again spotted a short time later floating about fifty metres out on the surface. Despite an extensive search the Constable was not seen again. It is thought that he may have been struck on the head by the ski when tipped off it or perhaps injured when dumped in the heavy seas. The Constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 20 July 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Tabulam.

On this day

Constable 1st Class

Paul John BAINES

YEAR OF DEATH

23 March 1967

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 9pm on 11 March 1967 Constable Baines and Senior Constable Tutill were engaged in Special Hoodlum Patrol duties when they arrested two men outside a Guildford hotel. After the two offenders were taken to the Merrylands Police Station they refused to cooperate with Police and forced their way out of the dock on several occasions. They then resisted violently as they were returned to the dock. When the two Police removed the men to the cell area a violent struggle ensued and Constable Baines was kicked and punched several times. After the offenders were secured in a cell Constable Baines was found to be in a distressed condition and shortly thereafter he collapsed. He was taken to the Fairfield Hospital where he suffered a coronary occlusion and died on 23 March 1967. The Constable was born in 1929 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 8 July 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Merrylands.

On this day

Sergeant 1st Class

Theodore Reinhold HERMAN

YEAR OF DEATH

23 March 1950

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 28 March 1950, Sergeant First Class (1/c) Herman was on duty as the Officer in Charge of the Blackall Police Station in Queensland.During his shift, he arrested two drunken offenders in Shamrock Street, Blackall and was escorting them, on foot, to the Blackall Police Station.There is no record of Herman being assisted by any other police in this arrest.During the arrest and escort of the two prisoners, Sergeant 1/c Herman collapsed on the footpath in Shamrock Street, Blackall.Dr Harold Harbison, the Government Medical Officer, examined Sergeant 1/c Herman’s body at the scene and pronounced life extinct. He concluded Sergeant 1/c Herman died of a coronary occlusion.

On this day

Constable

Patrick RYAN

YEAR OF DEATH

23 March 1908

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Drowned in a shipwreck near Cooktown, while escorting a prisoner from Port Douglas to Barambah.

On this day

Constable

Thomas COLLINS

YEAR OF DEATH

23 March 1877

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 18 March 1877 Constable Collins was on patrol in the Wangaratta area when he fell from his horse. He received internal injuries and died on 23 March 1877 at the Wangaratta Hospital. At the subsequent inquest the Coroner criticised the Local Council which had contributed to the accident by allowing an unlit obstruction to be left on the roadway.