Thomas

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the 29 April 1867 a party of eight police led by Sgt Walter Casey camped at Pulpit Hill (near present day Katoomba) with sixteen prisoners they were escorting to Darlinghurst Gaol. At midnight Constable Madden took his turn to watch over the lockup in which the prisoners were housed. When he was relieved at 2am by Constable Hitchcox Constable Madden went to check the prisoners. When he opened the door of the lockup the prisoners who had apparently been waiting for their chance to escape rushed the Constable. Sergeant Casey who realised what was occurring began firing at the prisoners. Unfortunately of the five shots fired by the Sergeant three accidentally struck Constable Madden inflicting fatal wounds. Two prisoners were also wounded.