DEATH OF CONSTABLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 13

DEATH OF CONSTABLE

TRIBUTE BY COMRADES

A long line of stalwart young men stood bareheaded, at attention, on the platform of Auckland Station, on Saturday afternoon, as the main trunk express steamed out, bringing to Wellington the body of a popular young police officer, Constable Roderick McIntosh Downie, aged 23, who had died that morning after a short illness. Constable Downie was the son of Mrs. Downie and the late Mr.. Peter Downie. of 5 Tasman Street, Wellington. Formerly employed by Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, he had been in the Police Force only a year, being transferred to Auckland exactly a year to a day before his death, after he had completed his tuition at the training depot at Wellington. He was keenly interested in sport, and was a member of the Auckland Police Rugby team, winners of the Kohn Cup this year, as well as in the Auckland police cricket representatives. He leaves his mother and four sisters.

Fifty constables of the Wellington Police Force, nine sergeants, and a number of other officers were present at the funeral, which proceeded through Vivian Street, Upper Willis Street, and Ghuznee Street to Karori Cemetery this afternoon. The Hon. P. Fraser, Minister in Charge of the Police Department, attended, and the force was represented by Commissioner D. J. Cummings, Superintendent D. C. Fraser, Inspector J. Sweeney, Sub-Inspector C. E. Koach, and SeniorSergeant D. J. O'Neil.