Killer got away
The death of Constable James Dorgan in Timaru on August 27, 1921, sparked a massive but fruitless search for his killer.
Constable Dorgan and another constable became suspicious when they found brown paper hung across the front window of a locked Stafford Street drapery shop about 1 a.m. Constable Dorgan kept watch while his companion ran to the nearby home of the shop’s owner. As he returned, he heard four shots fired in quick succession.
He found Constable Dorgan staggering in a right-of-way behind the shop. The seriously wounded constable said: “He fired four shots at me, and ran up the back. I’m thirsty. Get me a drink of water, please. I know I’m done.” He collapsed in agony, and died 15 minutes later.
He was unable to identify his assailant. The police went to great lenghts to track down the killer, including extensive use of fingerprints. They had several suspects, but insufficient evidence to press charges.
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Press, 13 February 1986, Page 21
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160Killer got away Press, 13 February 1986, Page 21
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