POLICE TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 6

POLICE TRAGEDY

WEST COAST SHOOTING THREE OFFICERS DEAD OTHERS GRAVELY INJURED (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 8. The worst tragedy in the history of the New Zea- " land Police Force occurred this afternoon at a farm at Koiterangi, 15 miles south-west of Hokitika, when a police sergeant and two constables were shot dead and a fourth policeman and another man were seriously injured. Following the' tragedy the alleged assailant escaped into heavy bush armed with two rifles and ammunition, and an search party has been organised for the morning. It is' alleged that the shots were fired by Stanley Graham, a farmer, aged 40, a married man with two children. The victims of the shooting were:— KILLED Sergeant William Cooper, married, aged 43, of Hokitika. Constable Frederick William Jordan, single, aged 26, of Hokitika. Constable Percy Campbell Tulloch, single, aged 35, of Hokitika. WOUNDED Constable Edward Mark Best, married, aged 42, of Kanieri, who suffered serious internal injuries, and was admitted to the Westland Hospital. His condition at a late hour to-night was reported to be grave. Mr George Sackville Ridley, married, aged 54, an agricultural instructor, employed by the Canterbury Education Board, of Christchurch, who was shot in the hip and admitted to the Westland Hospital suffering from shock and loss of blood. His condition is serious.

VISIT BY CONSTABLE A HOSTILE RECEPTION REINFORCEMENTS CALLED DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 8. It is not known what type of firearm was used in the shooting. What has been learned is that Constable Best this morning went out to interview Graham, and met with a hostile reception. The exact object of his visit is not definite. Constable Best returned to Hokitika and obtained the aid of the other three policemen.

HIDING IN BUSH FUGITIVE WELL ARMED ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEARCH STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 8. The Commissioner of Police, Mr D. J. Cummings, who arrived by the steamer express this evening, made the following statement: "Mr Ridley, agricultural officer from Greymouth, 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 rang Constable Best, of Kanieri, who went to the farm. Constable Best subsequently rang Sergeant Cooper at Hokitika and as a result of their conversation the sergeant and Constables Tulloch and Jordan left for Graham's farm about 1.30 p.m. "About 3.30 p.m. the Hokitika police received a message that some of our men were injured. Inspector D. L. Calwell, of Greymouth, De-tective-sergeant H. E. Knight and Detective-sergeant C. H. Davis, of Greymouth, and some constables left for the scene. I was informed at 9.30 to-night that Sergeant Cooper, who was in charge of the Hokitika district, and Constables Jordan and Tulloch were dead, that Constable Best was shot in the stomach and was in the Hokitika Hospital, and that Mr Ridley, agricultural inspector, was also shot and was in hospital. " Graham could not be found, but 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, as it is believed that he has two rifles with him. Inspector Calwell is organising a posse of men to assist in surrounding the bush. Reinforcements from Christchurch will leave by the early morning railcar. " 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."

Later information indicates that Sergeant Cooper was shot dead while walking from the road to Graham's house, which is situated opposite the Koiterangi School, where Mr Ridley was working. ' The bodies of Constables Jordan and Tulloch were afterwards found lying side by side in the passage of Graham's house.

It is not yet known where Constable Best was found, but he was shot in the stomach, and at the hospital he underwent an operation and was given a blood transfusion. His condition remains critical. Mr Ridley was admitted also to the Westland Hospital.

Graham has been farming in the Koiterangi district for a number of years and is a noted rifle shot. In his younger days he was a prominent athlete. The tragedy was witnessed by the Canterbury Education Board's foreman, Mr T. Hornsby, and the agricultural instructor, Mr Ridley, who were working on the school on the opposite side of the road. After the tragedy Graham escaped to thick bush at the back of his home and to-night an extensive search is taking place. It is believed that he is armed with two rifles and a quantity of ammunition.

The search is being led by Inspector D. L. Calwell, Senior-ser-geant G. F. Bonisch, Detective-ser-geants H. E. Knight and C. H. Davis, with Constables J. J. Johnson and R. H. Dixon, all of Greymouth. Members of the Home Guard will assist. Late to-night Graham's dog, which was believed to have gone with him into the bush, returned home. VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY Sergeant Cooper was a prominent and popular member of the force, which he joined in 1920. He was stationed in turn at Invercargill, Bluff, Orepuki, and Waikaia, being promoted sergeant and transferred to Dunedin in 1936. He was attached to the Central Police Station until last January, when he was accorded a farewell by the many friends he made among the force in the city, and went to Greymouth. Only a week ago on Tuesday he went on transfer to take charge of the Hokitika police district. He leaves one young son. Constable Tulloch was also known as a member of the force in Dunedin, and, like Sergeant Cooper, he won many friends. He had completed 10 years' service, having also been stationed in Auckland and Bruce Bay, South Westland. He was transferred to Hokitika four years ago. Constable Jordan joined the force in 1937, and had been stationed at Hokitika for the past three years. Constable Best has been in the service about 20 years, 15 of which he has spent on the West Coast, at Wataroa, Hokitika, and Kanieri.