Desmond

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 26 October 1964 Senior Constable Trannore was on duty alone at Gordonvale in North Queensland when he received notice of a serious domestic disturbance on a property nine miles from Gordonvale. A man named Verney had assaulted one of his stepsons and was assaulting his wife. Senior Constable Trannore arrived at the farmhouse and requested that the woman and the children come with him to Gordonvale to be medically examined. Verney became agitated and threatened Trannore. On more that one occasion he ordered Trannore from the property. While the woman was getting ready Verney obtained a .310 rifle and threatened Trannore with it. Trannore was on the top step at the front of the house when Verney again ordered him from the property. While Trannore was talking to him Verney fired the rifle hitting Trannore in the left side of the chest. Trannore turned and hurriedly went about 50 feet toward the police car and said to the two children “run for your life”. He collapsed falling on his face and rolled onto his back and died. The bullet had penetrated his heart. The terrified children ran to a neighbour and raised the alarm. Verney was arrested and convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Senior Constable Trannore is buried in the Gordonvale cemetery.