Sergeant, 2 Constables Shot Dead; Another Gravely Wounded

Northern Advocate, 9 October 1941, Page 6

Sergeant, 2 Constables Shot Dead; Another Gravely Wounded

[Per Press Association.—Copyright] GREYMOUTH, This Day. ONE OF THE WORST TRAGEDIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE NEW ZEALAND POLICE FORCE OCCURRED AT 2.30 YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT A FARM IN KOITERANGI, AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT 12 MILES FROM HOKITIKA, WHEN A SERGEANT AND TWO CONSTABLES WERE SHOT DEAD AND A THIRD CONSTABLE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. The victims were: Sergeant William Cooper, aged 43. married, in charge of the Hokitika Police Station. Constable Frederick William Jordan, aged 26, single, of Hokitika. Constable Percy Campbell Tulloch, single, of Hokitika. The injured man is Constable Edward Mark Best, of Kanieri, married. Constable Best went out to Koiterangi yesterday morning to interview Stanley Graham, a farmer, aged 40. married, with two children. The exact nature of his visit is not yet known, but he was given a hostile reception. He therefore returned to Hokitika and enlisted the aid of Sergeant Cooper and Constables Tulloch and Jordan. They proceeded in the afternoon to Graham’s place by motor ear. The sergeant was shot dead while walking from the road to the house. 'The bodies of Constables Tulloch and Jordan were found lying side by side in a pasasge in Graham’s house.

Wounded in Abdomen ' Constable Best was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the abdomen, and was admitted to the Westland Hospital, where he underwent an operation and was given a blood transfusion. His condition is critical. The scene of the tragedy was opposite the Koiterangi School, where the fields instructor of the Canterbury .Education Board (Mr. C. R. Ridley) was working. Mr. Ridley evidently went to the rescue of the police and was wounded. The nature of his injuries has not yet been ascertained, although they are apparently not serious. He is also in the Westland Hospital. Search in Bush A police search for Graham is being commenced. He is believed to be in dense bush on a hill about half a mile from the homestead. Graham has been noted as an athlete and a crack rifle shot. The Commissioner for Police (Mr. D. J. Cummings), who arrived by steamer express last evening, made the following statement: “The agricultural officer from Grey mouth (Mr. Ridley) visited Graham’s farm in the morning, owing, it is believed, to some trouble having arisen there between Graham and some neighbours. “What took place between the agricultural officer and Graham we do not know, but it appears that the inspector telephoned Constable Best, of Kanieri, who went to the farm. Home Guards Assist “After the tragedy Graham could not be found, but he is believed to be hiding in the bush which is now under observation. Some of the local home guardsmen are assisting the police. Nothing much can be done until daylight. It is believed that he has two rifles with him. “Inspector Caldwell is organising a posse of men to assist in surrounding the bush. Reinforcements from Christchurch will leave by the early morning rail-car. Worst Tragedy “It is the worst tragedy I know of in my experience, and my very deepest sympathy goes out to the relatives of the men who lost their lives in the execution of their duty, and also to those who have been injured.” Sergeant Cooper, who joined the police force in 1920, was previously stationed at Invercargill, Bluff, Orepuki and Waikaia Nine months ago he came to Greymouth and only last Tuesday left on transfer to take charge of the Hokitika district. He leaves one young son. Constable Jordan joined the force in 1937, and had been station at Hokitika for the last three years. Constable Tulloch had ten years’ service in Dunedin, Auckland and Bruce Bay (South Westland). He had been in Hokitika for four years. Constable Best has been in the service for about 20 years, 15 of which have been spent on the West Coast. The Greymouth hospital authorities reported this morning that Constable Best had received blood transfusions and was making progress. Mr. Ridley also received blood transfusions and is progressing favourably. Many Blood Donors Many people offered blood to save the lives of the wounded men. From Constable Best’s own town donors came forward until Dr. Wilson and the Westland hospital had to call a halt. 4 Sergeant Cooper was wounded in the chest, while another shot passed through the upper chest and the fleshy part of the muscle of an arm. There was a further wound near the chin. Mr. Ridley had three wounds, all in the upper region of the left thigh. He’ was found lying on a motor lorry outside the gate. Constables Jordan and Tulloch were shot through the chest, death in both cases apparently being instantaneous. First Aid on Spot Miss Ramsay, matron of the Westland hospital, went to the scene of the shooting in the hospital ambulance and assisted Dr. B. L. Wilson to attend to the victims. Constable Best and' Mr. Ridley,’ although seriously wounded, were both conscious. An . extremely popular officer, Constable Best has been in the fcre-front of every movement for the betterment of the district and a leading organiser for patriotic purposes. The general secretary of the New Zealand Police Association (Mr. J. Melzer) said this morning: “The police officer is always in the iiue of battle, and this tragic occurrence stresses the constant, danger of his work. The deepest gloom has been cast over all members of the association by the news of the untimely death of their comrades. ; . - “Heartfelt sympathy is extended to all relatives of Ihe men who lost their lives in the execution of their, duty. The example shown by the fallen men will be an inspiration to their comrades who mourn their loss.”