Members killed in the Line of Duty
Constable Jeremiah Dunn killed in the line of duty on October 22, 1861
On October 22, 1861 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Constable Dunn was on patrol at the town of Harbor Grace in the company of three other police officers. They encountered two men who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The men were advised to go home. The men refused and the police officers decided to take them into custody. They succeeded in taking one of the men into custody. The officer in charge sensed further trouble and summoned reinforcements. They proceeded to make the second arrest. By this time a large crowd had assembled and were hurling stones at the police officers. Several of the police officers were struck. Constable Dunn was hit on the head by a stone, which was thrown by one of the men. He died on October 27, 1861 as a result of the injury that was inflicted. A coroner's Jury was convened and it was concluded that Constable Dunn's death was murder. No person was ever convicted in relation to this crime.
Sergeant Thomas Fennessey killed in the line of duty on January 27, 1884
The report of the Inspector of Constabulary for the Year Ending 31st December 1884 was submitted and appears in the Journal of the Newfoundland House of Assembly 1885. Inspector General Carty reports that "It is with great regret that I have to refer to the death of Sergeant Thomas Fennessey, who was accidentally smothered in the snow while going on his rounds in Betts Cove, on 27th January, 1884."
Constable William Moss killed in the line of duty of March 12, 1959
Cst. William Moss was tragically killed on March 12, 1959 during the International Woodworkers of America strike at Badger that eventually became known as the "Badger Riot". Cst. Moss was struck on the head with a piece of pulpwood during a melee on March 10, 1959. He was taken to a hospital in Grand Falls but died two days later. A logger was arrested and charged with murdering Cst. Moss but was eventually acquitted by a 12-man jury in the Newfoundland Supreme Court. Vida Hounsell of Glovertown, mother of the late Cst. Moss, later unveiled a commemorative plaque in his honor during special ceremonies at the old Newfoundland Constabulary headquarters at Fort Townshend on May 12, 1971.
