FOUR SHOTS FIRED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16515, 27 August 1921, Page 9

FOUR SHOTS FIRED.

ACCOUNT OF THE TRACEDY. (Special to the “Star.”) TIMARU, August 27. The tragedy, which has aroused a feeling of horror in Timaru, occurred j ust upon on© o’ clock this morning. Constable Dorgan, while in the execution of his duty, was fatally shot by some person who had been illegally on the premises of T. and J. Thomson, drapers, Stafford Street North. As a result of tho wounds received, Constable Dorgan died within a few minutes of being shot. For about, a fortnight past Constable Dorgan had been on night duty, ms beat extending from the Arcade to tho Commercial Hotel, Stafford Street South. As usual the constable went on his beat at nine o’clock, the other officers taking up duty with him being Constable Christopher* whose beat extended from the Arcade to the Dominion Hotel corner, and Constable M Ctnlough, whose area included the back streets and tho region round the Post Office. About twenty minutes to one, near tho Arcade, Constable Christopher signalled to bis fellow officer on the Stafford Street beat. Constable Dorman returned the signal and proceeded to Thomson’s drapery shop, where he joined Constable Christopher. He was informed that Constable Christopher had seen a man inside tho shop moving round with a torch. Th* two constables went down a right-of-way, and turned round a corner along the back part of the section. They had’ become convinced that someone was inside the shop, and it was suggested that one should p go up to Mr Thompson’s house and inform him. Constable Dorgan elected to remain on watch. . Xn the meanwhile Constable CJnnstoplier mode all haste on his errand, and returned within about five minutes. When close to the place where he had left Constable Dorgan, he heard four revolver shots in quick succession. As he got inside the right-of-way ho met Constable Dorgan staggering out, so sorely wounded that li© bumped into the iron gateway. His first words were: '‘l’m done I I’m done l Send for the doctor!” Constable Christophers replied: “No fear: yon are all right!” It soon became evident, however, that the unfortunate officer was badly wounded. He fell into the others arms. Constable Christopher was not able to hold him up, and he fell into the side channel. Thi* was just >ihout one o'clock:. Constable Christopher immediately communicated with tho doctor and others, and also sent word to the portico station. Within a very few minutes a doctor was on the scene, but Constable Dorgan was then unconscious, and expired shortly afterwards. Sergeant Fahey was the next to arrive, but Dorgan was then dead. Constable M’Cullough, who was in til© vicinity of the post office at one o’clock, heard the four shots, and dashing through the Arcade quickly reached Stafford Street. The flickering of a torch up the street attracted his attention, and he immediately went to the scene of tho tragedy. Presently Inspector Hastie, Sergeant M* Gregor, Detective Abbott and Constable Taylor had congregated on the spot, and the neighbourhood was immediately scoured for any trace of the murderer. Tlie search was kept up throughout the rest of the night.

Constable Christopher had tried the doors of Thomson’s establishment about 11.30, found that tho doors of the men’s department were a bit loose, but this was due to the fact tliat the catch was broken, and the doors were only bolted at tho tox> and bottom. He could see through tho glass fronts, and thought that all was right in the shop. When ho returned at 12.30 he noticed that tho glass door fronts to tho men’s departments had been covered over with brown paper, and this aroused his susjyoion. Glancing through some chinks he became awaro that there was someone moving round inside. It is thought that after tho departure of Constable Christopher tho burglar must have come out at tho back way of tho shop, and in doing so encountered Constable Dorgan in tho yard.

What happened subsequently can bo only ft matter of surmise. The back portion of the shop runs for a fair distance, and then there is another side way where the roar entrance to the premises aro situated. It was from this door that the burglar emerged. At the rear . there is a sheer cliff face rising to a fair height. Investigation this morning showed that in the furthest western corner of tho yard, where the corrugated iron fence is,

there is an imprint of a hoot about the size of the boots which Constable Dorgan would be wearing. There is also a mark 0 « the ground, as if someone had slipped in pulling up suddenly. To deduction from this is that when the burglar was making away from the shop ho took this direction in making his exit. As there is a clear opening into a cycle depot, it is thought that lie may have been cornered here by Constable Dorgan arid got away again towards the other end of the yard. Here, perhaps, his capture seemed imminent, and he turned round and used his gun. Of tlie four shots fired one took effect, entering the constable’s right breast. From the nature and direction of the nounds it is tUmgbi that

the discharge must have been at dlose quarters. Another shot entered the top part of tho constable’s shako. The bullet apparently ricochetted and went out at the back of the shako, as the scalp was untouched. , The dying constable stated to his comrade that the murderer had gone up the eastern corner of the yard. There is a steep flight of wooden steps leading to a thoroughfare. No sign of the murderer’s exit in this direction was discovered. One thing puzzling the police is the disappearance of the constable’s torch. A minute search was made round about the place where Constable Dorgan was murdered for any shells, so as to gain an idea of the kind of weapon used, but no shells such ns would be ejected by an automatic pistol were found. The conclusion is that a revolver must have been used.

Constable Dorgan was a popular member of tho force. He was much respected by his comrades, who keenly feel his tragic end. He was a fine stamp of man, of stalwart proportions and athletic build. Ho was born in Kerry, Ireland, on January 26, 1884, and was therefore in his thirty-eighth year. He joined the police force in Christchurch in July, 1912. The esteem in which ho was held by the members of the force there was shown by their send-off to him, when he was presented with an albert chain and medal. Ho took up duty at Timaru in April, 1915. Ho was a married man, and leaves a widow and three young children. The eldest child is at present in the hospital.

THE MURDERED OFFICER.

Tho late Constable James Dorgan joined the police force on July 11, 1912, and commenced duty in Christchurch, where he remained until 1915, when he was transferred to Timaru.

He wag thirty-eight years of age and leaves a widow and three young children. News of tho murder was received at the Christchurch Police Station by a telephone mesasge from Timaru early this morning. Two members of the detective force left for Timaru by tho first express' to investigate the crime.