National Police Memorial

On this day

Constable

William RANDALL

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 1852

JURISDICTION

Tasmania

DETAILS OF DEATH

William RANDALL was an inexperienced police Constable who was stationed at Swansea on the East coast of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in April 1852. Several days prior to his death, Constable William RANDALL was assigned the task of escorting prisoners to the Douglas River Road Station, which is situated at the town of Bicheno, about 34 km North of the settlement of Swansea.
On returning to Swansea by foot, RANDALL accepted a ride from a passing farm worker in a horse drawn cart. Upon reaching the road junction where RANDALL and the farm worker were to part ways, RANDALL climbed down from the cart and retrieved his musket from the bottom of the cart by grabbing the barrel and pulling it toward himself.
The gun discharged, with the lead ball passing underneath RANDALL’S ribs through his body and passing out his back. William RANDALL lingered for four days from the internal injuries caused by the gunshot, finally dying of his wounds on the 2nd of March 1852.

On this day

Senior Constable

David James RIXON

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 2012

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

Shortly before 0800hr on Friday, 2 March 2012, Senior Constable Rixon from Tamworth Highway Patrol stopped and spoke to the driver of a vehicle at 10-12 Lorraine Street, West Tamworth for the purposes of a random breath test. As Senior Constable Rixon approached the vehicle, the offender drew a firearm and shot him. Senior Constable Rixon was able to return fire from his service pistol, which hit the offender. Senior Constable Rixon was able to place a handcuff on the offender, before he collapsed from his injuries and died at the scene. He was unable to be revived. Senior Constable Rixon joined the New South Wales Police Service as a Trainee on 28 October 1990 and was attested as a probationary Constable at the New South Wales Police Academy, Goulburn on 26 April 1991. He was initially posted to Hamilton Patrol in Newcastle and soon after was posted to Belmont Patrol. He was confirmed as Constable on 26 April 1992. He commenced duties in Highway Patrol at Waratah in the Hunter area on 12 February 1995, and shortly afterwards, on 7 May 1995, he transferred to Gunnedah Highway Patrol. On 14 July 1996, Senior Constable Rixon transferred to Tamworth Highway Patrol, where he remained posted until the time of his death. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Valour Award.

On this day

Detective Sergeant

Geoffrey L BOWEN

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 1994

JURISDICTION

Western Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

Murdered in Adelaide, SA whilst on secondment to the National Crime Authority. Bowen was killed when he opened a letter containing a bomb at the Adelaide Headquarters of the NCA. He joined the Police Force on August 30 1976.

On this day

Constable

Peter J McMANUS

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 1955

JURISDICTION

Western Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

Constables Donald Thompson and Peter McManus were off duty in McManus’ car. The Constables stopped Richard Morris, who was driving his truck erratically on the North West Coastal Highway about 9.00pm at Northampton. Both men walked towards the truck, McManus in front. Morris shot McManus with a rifle from the truck. Thompson grabbed Morris and wrestled away the firearm. Morris escaped as Thompson looked after McManus but was captured and convicted for murder. He was released after 15 years. Const. McManus joined the Police Force on the 16th of April 1940.

On this day

Sergeant 1st Class

William BOWEN

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 1916

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

The Sergeant suffered serious internal injuries at Dungog when he was assaulted after detaining a mentally ill man in January 1916. The Sergeant had been called to the Dungog Hospital in relation to a violent and disturbed man. He arrested the man and took him to the local police station. Shortly after their arrival at the station the man again went berserk kicking the Sergeant and attacking him with a chair. The Sergeant was taken to hospital for treatment and was eventually admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney where he passed away. The Sergeant was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 January 1887. At the time of his death he was stationed at Dungog.

On this day

Constable

Thomas CAVANAGH

YEAR OF DEATH

02 March 1863

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

The Constable died by drowning in the Western District. Further details are unknown. The Constable was born in 1840 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 October 1861. At the time of his death he was stationed in the Western District.