METROPOLITAN POLICE
Appendix 1
Peace Officers of the London Parishes, Night Watch and Public / Police Offices
killed prior to the formation of the Metropolitan Police in 1829
Prior to 1829 policing was carried out by various peace officers such as the locally appointed but unpaid Parish Constables; the first professional law enforcement officers came some 150 years earlier in the reign of Charles II with a paid Night Watch. In the mid 18th century the Bow Street Patrol was formed and in 1792 the first statutory salaried Constables were attached to Police Offices throughout London, followed in 1798 by the Thames Marine Police Office. Records for this period are very rare and exactly how many of these earlier peace officers died in the execution of their duty is unknown but the first recorded death in the "Proceedings of the Old Bailey" dates from 1680 with the killing of a constable whose name was not recorded.
The unknown constable is included to represent all the unknown dead.
Lest We Forget
An Unknown Constable
Died about May 1680
Bludgeoned to death trying to quell a drunken street affray at Wapping.
(First recorded death on duty in UK)
Const Thomas Smith
Died 3 April 1694
Fatally shot attempting, despite threats, to arrest an armed burglar.
Const John Cooper
Died 16 May 1702
Fatally stabbed while dispersing a disorderly crowd at the May Fair.
Const John Dent
Died 8 March 1709
Fatally stabbed when attacked by a crowd attempting to free a prisoner.
Const William Diggle
Died 8 July 1744
Fatally assaulted by a drunken man whose wife asked for protection.
W/man Isaack Smith
Died 22 September 1680
Struck with his own staff and fatally injured stopping an unruly gang.
W/man Robert Teagle
Died 28 August 1684
Stabbed with a sword attempting to arrest a man for causing damage.
W/man Thomas Small
Died 13 May 1687
Fatally bludgeoned with his own staff by a man he had warned.
W/man John Pascall
Died 22 January 1690
Fatally wounded when struck with a sword by a man he had stopped.
W/man Thomas Lashly
Died 30 May 1691
Bludgeoned to death attempting to quell a disturbance in the street.
W/man Will Vernish
Died 25 May 1692
Died after being beaten and kicked on the ground during a street affray.
W/man Thomas Trevis
Died 11 February 1704
Stabbed to death while assisting a Constable with a prisoner.
W/man Peter Parry
Died 29 May 1720
Stabbed to death with a sword while dealing with a street affray.
W/man Joseph Candy
Died 26 December 1724
Bludgeoned to death by another watchman found drunk on duty.
W/man Samuel Alexander
Died 17 May 1733
Fatally bludgeoned while assisting a constable arresting smugglers.
W/man Charles Dubois
Died 21 January 1737
Fatally stabbed with a bayonet by a soldier stopped for questioning.
W/man Isaac Crawley
Died 11 April 1742
Fatally shot assisting a constable by suspects encountered at night.
W/man William Ridley
Died 12 December 1767
Fatally bludgeoned with his own staff confronting drunken men.
W/man John Bigby
Died 24 December 1769
Struck with a poker and killed when intervening in a drunken brawl.
W/man Philip Moss
Died 3 February 1775
Fatally wounded when attacked by a mob who had freed a prisoner.
W/man Thomas Grimsley
Died 21 March 1776
Fatally wounded while attempting to arrest a suspect armed with an axe.
W/man Edward Cox
Died 15 January 1781
Fatally bludgeoned with his own staff when accosted by a drunk.
W/man James Bonner
Died 29 August 1789
Bludgeoned and cut with a cutlass attempting to arrest three burglars.
W/man Thomas Price
Died 4 February 1795
Shot dead when he went to assist a woman being beaten by a man.
W/man Barney Shields
Died 29 September 1814
Received fatal head injuries when bludgeoned during a street affray.
W/man John Coe
Died 1 February 1825
Fatally injured when run down by a stagecoach near the watch-house.
W/man Ephraim Darkin
Died 24 July 1827
Fatally struck with a stone helping a woman accosted by a man.
Officer Mr Hind
Died about April 1755
Died of gunshot wounds received arresting two highway robbers.
Runner John Atwood
Died 24 May 1771
Fatally beaten and kicked trying to arrest an escaped prisoner.
Officer William Barnet
Died 1 August 1779
Stabbed by a woman while he was executing an arrest warrant.
Officer John Wilkinson
Died 16 July 1789
Fatally stabbed attempting to arrest a soldier causing a disturbance.
Officer David Price
Died 13 January 1795
Shot dead executing a warrant on a man wanted for highway robbery.
Officer Gabriel Franks
Died 16 October 1798, aged 22
Shot when the new Marine Police Office was attacked by a mob.
Officer Duncan Grant
Died 22 January 1799
Killed while attempting to quell a disturbance in a public house.
Officer Samuel Prestow
Died 30 November 1813
Shot dead while attempting to take an armed escaped lunatic into custody.
Officer Richard Smithers
Died 23 February 1820, aged 33
Stabbed with a sword disrupting a meeting of political conspirators.
Officer Nicholas Dawkins
Died 24 May 1825, aged 55
Fatally injured when run down by a carriage he was trying to direct.
Lest We Forget
