List of New Zealand police officers killed in the line of duty explained

This is a list of New Zealand Police officers killed in the line of duty. As of 2020, 33 police officers have been killed by criminal act,[1] [2] and about 17 have died from accidental causes, during the execution of duty. There has been one instance of multiple police deaths, when Stanley Graham gunned down four officers (and two wartime home guardsmen) attempting to apprehend him in 1941, and four double fatalities. Most of the homicides have been a result of gunshot wounds, the accidents mainly due to either drowning or vehicle (car/aircraft) accidents.

A slain officer may receive a police funeral, including an honour guard and flag-draped casket,[3] and be officially mourned in the New Zealand House of Representatives.[4] [5] At least four officers have received posthumous honours—Sergeant Stewart Guthrie received the highest Commonwealth civilian decoration, the George Cross. The Lou Grant Award, created in the memory of the police sergeant who died in the 1993 Eagle helicopter mid-air collision, is awarded every second year for excellence and contributions to search and rescue.

The Memorial Wall at the Royal New Zealand Police College lists the names of fallen colleagues, whom the service commemorates annually on Police Remembrance Day. The Police Association together with the New Zealand Police introduced a Police Remembrance Day Pin in 2007, for officers to wear to honour the memory of those slain during the course of duty. The pin combines a Huia tail feather with a police chevron; the Huia bird was sacred in Māori culture, wearing of its feathers restricted to people of high status.

In addition to the human officers, 24 police dogs have died in the line of duty;[6] notably the drowning of Enzo in 2007,[7] Gage, a six-year-old German Shepherd, in 2010. In 2016, 4-year-old German Shepherd Gazza was shot and killed in Porirua.

Officers

Killed by criminal act

Since 1 September 1886.[8]

QID (Query identity)RankNameAgeHonoursDateCircumstanceLocationNotes
91Constable Neil McLeod44Gumdigger Henry Funcke was removed from a steamer and had his rifle confiscated. He became angry and drew a concealed pistol, firing several shots at the departing ship, one of which struck McLeod in the chestDargaville (Mangawhare Wharf)[9]
674Sergeant John Patrick Hackett McGuire42Shot in the stomach during a manhunt, and died four days later. John Joseph Powelka was acquitted of murder but received 21 cumulative years for seven charges of burglaryPalmerston North[10]
963ConstableJohn Doyle35Died in hospital two days after being assaulted by two men in the Albion HotelShannon[11]
2030Constable Vivian Dudding32Attending a domestic dispute, he was shot in the head and died an hour laterThorndon, Wellington[12]
1764Constable James Dorgan37Shot investigating a break-in, the killer was never foundTimaru[13]
1582Constable Thomas Heeps50Died in Waikato Hospital after being shot twice by Henare Hona, the subject of a manhuntMorrinsville (nearby)[14]
2209Sergeant William Cooper43Shot by farmer Stanley Graham, who they were attempting to apprehend after he refused to surrender firearmsHokitika (nearby)[15]
3526Constable Frederick William Jordan26[16]
3039Constable Percy Campbell Tulloch35[17]
2364Constable Edward Mark Best42[18]
36Traffic Officer John Kehoe24Shot several times by Richard Angus McGill, who he had stopped for speeding with his motorcycleWhakatāne[19]
2691Sergeant William Shore Hughes48Shot dead during a domestic dispute by Noema Raana RikaŌtaki[20]
Detective Inspector Wallace Chalmers46QPMShot dead by Victor George Wasmuth while attending a shootingWaitākere Ranges[21]
2839Detective Sergeant Neville Wilson Power25QPM[22]
4321Constable James Thomas Richardson24Both shot while sitting in police car, after responding to a domestic disputeLower Hutt[23]
3809Constable Brian Leslie Schultz21[24]
4699Constable Donald Richard Stokes23Beaten by escaping prisoners at Dunedin police station, died later in hospitalDunedin[25]
2950Sergeant Gilbert Peter Arcus44Assaulted by a mentally disturbed woman he was trying to placate, fell and struck his head on the ground, dying from the injury an hour laterTauranga[26]
5052Constable Peter William Murphy21Shot attending a break-in at a sports shopInvercargill[27]
1395Traffic Officer Barry Yorston Gibson32Assaulted by a motorist and died in hospital from head injuriesNew Plymouth[28]
1351Traffic Officer Robin James Dudding44GMTaken hostage and later shot dead by Ross KametaLake Rotoiti, Bay of Plenty[29]
4601Senior Constable Peter Morris Umbers35GMBashed to death with his own baton by Richard Thomas Lakich, who he had stoppedRanfurly (nearby)[30]
5024SergeantStewart Guthrie41GCShot in the head after encountering and firing a warning shot at spree killer David Gray during the Aramoana massacreAramoana[31]
D717Constable Glenn Arthur McKibben25Shot standing beside his police car by former soldier Terence Thompson, who was later shot dead by Armed Offenders Squad.Flaxmere, Hastings[32] [33]
G083ConstableLester Murray Stretch38Bashed to death by Carlos Namana, a burglar he had followed from a break-inMangakino[34] [35]
F272Detective ConstableDuncan Taylor39NZBMDied instantly after being shot by teenager Daniel Luff, his partner escaped woundedRongotea, Manawatū[36] [37] [38]
G092Sergeant Derek Wootton52Struck by a carjacked vehicle with a hostage fleeing police while laying road spikesTitahi Bay[39] [40]
I417Sergeant Don Wilkinson47Disturbed while attempting to secretly fix a tracking device to a car, received several shots from a .22 air rifle, one fatally through the chestMāngere[41] [42]
5766 Senior Constable Leonard Snee 53Shot executing a cannabis search warrant by former territorial soldier Jan Molenaar, other officers and a member of the public received gunshot woundsNapier[43]
MHIH84 ConstableMatthew Dennis Hunt2819 June 2020 Shot dead during a routine traffic stop. Another officer was also shot and seriously injured. A civilian was struck and injured as the two suspects fled the scene.Massey[44] [45] [46] [47] [48]

Killed by accident

BadgeRankNameAgeHonoursDateCircumstanceLocationNotes
ConstableFitzgeraldDrowned when a boat making for the Lady Nugent capsizedLyttelton Harbour[49] [50]
Sergeant-MajorEdward John Garvey30Légion d'honneurDied in a snowstorm on his way to inspect mine diggings near NasebyKakanui Range[51] [52]
ConstableJohn Duncan Drowned travelling in a punt to investigate a burglaryKaniere (nearby)
ConstableJames RobinsonFell and struck head on iron bar at police stationWestport[53] [54]
ConstableDenis Mahoney c. 38Killed by an explosion, together with 7 other volunteers, while fighting a fire at the Benge and Pratt store.Upper Hutt[55]
ConstableA J Dillon c. 32Drowned with nurse Regan who he was attempting to saveWest Coast[56]
ConstableAdam George Begg 26 Killed by a passing train while searching the Parnell Tunnel for an escaped prisoner.Parnell, Auckland[57] [58]
ConstableJames Shields Car was hit by the Rotorua Express at a railway crossingHuntly (nearby)
ConstableCharles WilliamsDrowned attempting to save a woman who fell from the Hamilton Railway BridgeWaikato River
ConstableW J Watt Car went off Elephant Hill bridge, returning to a shooting investigation, Constable Black seriously injuredWaimate (nearby)[59]
191ConstableCecil Edgar Orr 38Struck and killed by a train while searching for property along the railway tracksParnell[60]
ConstableAlan Robert Liddell 22Drowned while conducting an investigation with two colleagues, into a drowning on the river 17 days earlierGrey River[61]
ConstableGreg Rowe 23Drowned after leg became entangled in a rope and fell overboard from Lady Elizabeth IIPalliser Bay (nearby)[62] [63]
Senior Sergeant Phillip William "Phil" Ward 39Drowned when police launch Lady Elizabeth II capsized during a storm, two other officers rescued by Peter ButtonWellington Harbour[64]
Constable Glenn Andrews Hughes 28
Detective Anthony Raymond "Tony" Harrod 43Fell from helicopter sling during cannabis recovery operationWaitotara Valley, Taranaki[65] [66]
SergeantLindsay Eion "Lou" Grant39Police helicopter Eagle collided mid-air with a Piper Archer traffic spotting aircraft. Two civilians also died.Auckland CBD[67]
ConstableAlastair Alan Sampson 27
Senior Constable Phillip Anthony "Piripi" Wipatene55Patrol car collided with another car on the Oakura BridgeNew Plymouth (14 km southwest)[68]
Detective Travis Hughes 37Cessna 172 aircraft crashed while on cannabis reconnaissance, civilian pilot also diedGibbston Valley, Central Otago[69] [70]
Police Employee Pamela (Pam) Brien 54Killed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Pamela Brien was at a work-related meeting related to her job in the child protection unit of the Christchurch detachment when the earthquake hit, resulting in the CTV Building she was in collapsing. Christchurch[71]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. News: 'Routine' operation which left policeman dead not considered high risk. 11 September 2008. The New Zealand Herald. 2008-10-15.
  2. News: Three officers shot at, one killed - report . 7 May 2009. The New Zealand Herald. 2009-05-06.
  3. Web site: Wellington-Funeral of Sergeant Derek Wootton. 16 July 2008. NZPA Images. 2008-10-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724193847/http://www.nzpaimages.co.nz/events.php?event_id=6255&show_all=0&page_no=0. 24 July 2011. dead.
  4. Web site: Motions — New Zealand Police—Death of Sergeant Derek Wootton. 22 July 2008. Hansard. New Zealand Parliament. 648 . 17231. 2008-10-15.
  5. Web site: Motions — New Zealand Police—Death of Sergeant Don Wilkinson. 11 September 2008 . Hansard. New Zealand Parliament. 650 . 18811. 2008-10-15.
  6. Web site: Six-year-old Gage 23rd dog to die on duty. Jarrod. Booker. 13 July 2010. The New Zealand Herald. 13 July 2010.
  7. News: Man jailed for killing police dog . 15 January 2008. The New Zealand Herald. 2008-10-17.
  8. Details mostly from the Memorial webpage of the New Zealand police. Accessed 2008-10-27.
  9. Web site: Neil McLeod . New Zealand Police . 2009-04-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090510105626/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/neil_mcleod.html . 10 May 2009 .
  10. Web site: John McGuire. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119031410/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/john_mcguire.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  11. Web site: John Doyle. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030330/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/john_doyle.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  12. Web site: Vivian Dudding. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165105/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/vivian_dudding.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  13. Web site: James Dorgan. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165212/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/james_dorgan.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  14. Web site: Thomas Heeps. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090912124358/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/thomas_heeps.html. 12 September 2009. dead.
  15. Web site: William Cooper. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165014/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/william_cooper.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  16. Web site: Frederick Jordan. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165314/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/frederick_jordan.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  17. Web site: Percy Tulloch. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119031013/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/percy_tulloch.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  18. Web site: Edward Best. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090517015002/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/edward_best.html. 17 May 2009. dead.
  19. Web site: John Kehoe. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030102/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/john_kehoe.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  20. Web site: William Hughes. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119025731/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/william_hughes.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  21. Web site: Wallace Chalmers. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119025850/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/wallace_chalmers.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  22. Web site: Neville Power. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030009/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/neville_power.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  23. Web site: James Richardson. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165043/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/james_richardson.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  24. Web site: Brian Schultz. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016164654/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/brian_schultz.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  25. Web site: Donald Stokes. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016165124/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/donald_stokes.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  26. Web site: Gilbert Arcus. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016164500/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/gilbert_arcus.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  27. Web site: Peter Murphy. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119025924/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/peter_murphy.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  28. Web site: Barry Gibson. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081016164640/https://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/barry_gibson.html. 16 October 2008. dead.
  29. Web site: Robin Dudding. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030541/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/robin_dudding.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  30. Web site: Peter Umbers. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119030950/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/peter_umbers.html. 19 November 2008. dead.
  31. Web site: Stewart Guthrie. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090804100957/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/stewart_guthrie.html. 4 August 2009. dead.
  32. Web site: Glenn McKibben. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090804100923/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/glenn_mckibben.html. 4 August 2009. dead.
  33. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:B-_vmPk-k_EJ:www.ipca.govt.nz/includes/download.aspx%3FID%3D104266+murder+of+glenn+mckibben&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg_hp486XtvdaY2_Q_AXKXLeLRTRyPat8PbFEHWzAv2gmfdrh13I26OBR5a5yHmZMJ-lGjLEoULJqpGqLvVYffw93Be2w6oRudVECcAaL5-0BPiWQucRw4EB6CAJUsSsUgjRrLG&sig=AHIEtbT8TsklWyW_MfxAnVSuiGutwruYRQ Google cache
  34. News: Police form guard of honour for fallen officer. Gay, Edward and NZPA. 16 July 2008. The New Zealand Herald. 2008-10-17.
  35. Web site: Lester Stretch. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090804100930/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/lester_stretch.html. 4 August 2009. dead.
  36. News: Heroes among us: Our top kiwis named for NZ Bravery Awards . 29 January 2005. The New Zealand Herald. 2008-10-17.
  37. Web site: Duncan Taylor. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090427000904/http://police.govt.nz/about/memorial/duncan_taylor.html. 27 April 2009. dead.
  38. Web site: Remembering Duncan. 8 July 2012.
  39. News: NZ policeman killed by stolen car. 11 July 2008. SBS Australia. 2008-10-17.
  40. Web site: Derek Wootton. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090426235945/http://police.govt.nz/about/memorial/derek_wootton.html. 26 April 2009. dead.
  41. News: Single shot among many killed officer . Milne. Rebecca . 14 September 2008. The New Zealand Herald. 2008-10-18.
  42. Web site: Don Wilkinson. New Zealand Police. 2009-04-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090427015010/http://www.police.govt.nz/about/memorial/don_wilkinson.html. 27 April 2009. dead.
  43. News: Police name officer shot dead . 7 May 2009. The New Zealand Herald. 2009-05-06. http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/remembrance-day-2014.pdf
  44. News: Williams. Caroline. 20 June 2020. Auckland police shooting: Officer killed identified by police. Stuff.
  45. News: Massey, west Auckland shooting: Offender still on the loose, police officer confirmed dead - Police Commissioner. en. Newshub. 2020-06-19.
  46. News: Man charged with murder after police officer killed in Auckland. en. Newshub. 2020-06-19.
  47. Web site: UPDATE: Commissioner's statement following Massey incident. 2020-06-19. New Zealand Police. en.
  48. Web site: Moving haka for slain police officer Constable Matthew Hunt at Eden Park. 2023-06-09. New Zealand Herald. en.
  49. News: News and Notes. 27 September 1851 . Lyttelton Times.
  50. News: Canterbury. X . 502 . 18 October 1851 . Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle . 134 . 18 October 2008.
  51. News: News of the Week. 26 March 1864. Otago Witness. 643 . 13. 2008-10-18.
  52. Web site: Cemetery Details. Dunedin City Council. 2008-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221120/http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries_search?recordid=93427&type=Burial. 23 September 2015. dead.
  53. News: The Grey River Argus . XXXII . 7376 . 1 June 1892. 2. 2008-10-18.
  54. News: Untitled . XLII . 118. 14 November 1891. Evening Post. 2. 2008-10-18.
  55. News: Deadly tragedy to be commemorated. Upper Hutt Leader. 23 October 2013. 2014-03-23.
  56. News: Surf Bathing Accident. 19 January 1916. Grey River Argus. 3. 2008-10-19.
  57. News: A Policeman's Fate. 13 January 2011. The Evening Post. 24 February 1926.
  58. News: The Inquest. 13 January 2011. The Evening Post. 24 February 1926.
  59. News: Constable Killed. 11 August 1939. Otago Daily Times.
  60. News: Constable Killed. 25 February 1942. The New Zealand Herald.
  61. News: Policeman drowned. 28 February 1976. Otago Daily Times. 1, 3.
  62. News: Tears for constable 30 years on . 7 April 2008 . . 2009-04-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121011202457/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/352393 . 11 October 2012 . dead .
  63. Web site: Police News . May 2008 . New Zealand Police Association . 97 . 2009-04-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081014052614/http://policeassn.org.nz/communications/newspdf/PoliceNewsMay08.pdf . 14 October 2008 .
  64. News: Police launch capsizes in storm; two dead. 3 July 1986. Otago Daily Times. 1.
  65. News: Fall kills policeman. 18 December 1990. Otago Daily Times. 2.
  66. Web site: Investigation 90-012T. Transport Accident Investigation Commission. 2009-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20111003103113/http://www.taic.org.nz/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/1990-012T/Page/28/Default.aspx. 3 October 2011. dead.
  67. Web site: Investigation 93-020. Transport Accident Investigation Commission. 2009-04-13. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111003103149/http://www.taic.org.nz/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/1993-020/Page/19/Default.aspx. 3 October 2011.
  68. Web site: Annual Report year ended 30 June 2005. 2005. New Zealand Police. 2008-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119022344/http://www.police.govt.nz/resources/2005/annual-report/. 19 November 2008. dead.
  69. News: Plane crash inquest winds up. 31 March 2006. TVNZ. 2008-10-18.
  70. Web site: Investigation 05-002. Transport Accident Investigation Commission. 2009-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20111003103208/http://www.taic.org.nz/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/2005-002/Page/2/Default.aspx. 3 October 2011. dead.
  71. News: Pamela Brien. 22 March 2011. NZHerald. 2011-04-20.

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