ON WEST COAST FARM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1941, Page 5

ON WEST COAST FARM

Police Sergeant and Two Constables Shot Dead THIRD CONSTABLE SERIOUSLY INJURED PURSUIT OF THE ACCUSED MAN (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, October 8. The worst tragedy in the history of the New Zealand police force occurred al 2.30 o’clock this afternoon at a farm in Koiterangi, 12 miles from Hokitika, when a sergeant and two policemen were shot dead and a third policeman was seriously injured. The victims are: KILLED: Sergeant William Cooper, aged 43. married, who was in charge of the Hokitika police station. Constable Frederick William Jordan, aged 26, single, Hokitika. Constable Percy Campbell Tulloch, single, Hokitika. INJURED: Constable Edward Mark Best, Kanieri, married.

It is stated that Constable Best went to. the residence of Stanley Graham, farmer, aged 40. a married man with two children, with the intention of serving proceedings, when, it is alleged, he was threatened by Graham. As a result Constable Best telephoned the Hokitika police, and Sergeant Cooper and Constables Tulloch and Jordan then went to Koiterangi by car. When they came to Graham's house, it is alleged, Graham immediately produced a rifle, shooting two of the men on the footpath leading to the residence, and another on the veranda, and injuring Best, who was admitted to the Westland Hospital about 5 p.m. with serious internal injuries. Tonight the report is that his condition is serious. The tragedy affects practically the whole Hokitika police force, Constable S. I. Wallace, who was left in charge at the station, being the only member! not concerned. Graham, who had been farming in the Koiterangi district for a number of years, is a noted rifle shot, and in his younger days was a prominent athlete. TRAGEDY WITNESSED. The tragedy was witnessed by the Canterbury Eduuca’tion Board's foreman, Mr T. Hornsby, and agricultural instructor, Mr Ridley, who were working at the school on the opposite side of the road. After the tragedy Graham escaped to thick bush at the back of the home, and tonight an extensive police search is taking place. It is believed he is armed with a rifle and a quantity of ammunition. The search is being led by Inspector D. L. Calwell, SeniorSergeant 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. Sergeant Cooper, who joined the force in 1920, was previously stationed in Invercargill, Bluff, Orepuki, and Waikaia, being promoted to sergeant and transferred to Dunedin in 1936. Nine months ago he came to Greymouth, and only last Tuesday left on transfer in charge of the Hokitika district. He leaves one young son. Constable Jordan joined the force in 1937 and had been stationed in Hokitika for the last three years. Constable Tulloch had 10 years’ service in Dunedin, Auckland and Bruce Bay (South Westland), and the last four years in Hokitika. Constable Best has been in the service about 20 years, 15 of which have been on the West Coast at Wataroa, Hokitika and Kanieri. COMRADES MOURNED SYMPATHY EXPRESSED BY ASSOCIATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “The police officer is always in the line of battle and this tragic occurrence stresses the constant danger of his work.” said the General Secretary of

the New Zealand Police Assocaiton, Mr J. Meltzer. “The deepest gloom has been cast over all the members of the association by the news of the untimely death of their comrades. Heartfelt sympathy is extended to all the rela-’ fives of the men who lost their lives in the execution of their duty. The example shown by the fallen men will be an inspiration to all their comrades, who mourn their loss.”