Honour Roll

1963

05Jul

Stow, Graham

First Constable 13183

At about 10.45 a.m. on Friday, 5th July 1963, First Constable Stow was riding a motor cycle east along the Princes Highway, Werribee, when a motorist passed him at an excessive speed. He pursued this person, who was travelling at an estimated speed of 80 mph, and as they approached the Little River Bridge Stow apparently lost control of his machine and was thrown off.   He struck a concrete guide post at the side of the bridge and was killed instantly.   The offending motorist failed to stop and was never identified.

1964

03May

Denman, Ray

First Constable, 11561

At about 3.20 pm on Tuesday, 8th January, 1974 Senior Constable Curson was standing on the steps at the main entrance to Flinders Street Railway Station talking to a newspaper seller. Whilst they spoke a young woman came up and spoke to the Constable, who turned towards her.
At that moment, James Henry Belsey, walked up behind him, produced a knife, and cut the policeman’s throat. As Curson slumped to the footpath, Belsey calmly walked away, crossed Flinders Street and entered Young & Jackson’s Hotel. He was arrested a short time later. Meanwhile, Curson had been removed to Prince Henry’s Hospital with a massive wound to his throat and died two hours later.

It was later learned that Belsey had a lengthy history of mental disorder, and had frequently threatened to kill a policeman. He was charged with Curson’s murder but acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and was then sentenced to be detained at the Governor’s pleasure.

1966

09Dec

Coleman, Brian

Constable, 11245

At about 1.50 p.m. on Friday, 9th December 1966, First Constable Coleman was performing physical exercises in the Drill Hall at the Police Depot, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. He attempted to perform a forward somersault from a low-level spring board onto gymnasium mats but failed to complete the movement and landed awkwardly. He lost consciousness and was rushed to Prince Henry's Hospital suffering cervical injuries, but was found to be dead on arrival.

29Jan

McDonald, Malroy John

Constable, 14419

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, 29th January 1966, Constable McDonald was directing traffic around an injured dog which was lying on the carriageway of Geelong Road, Brooklyn, outside the Guiding Star Hotel, when a motorist swerved to avoid another vehicle and struck McDonald. The Constable suffered severe internal injuries and was rushed to the Footscray and District Hospital, where he died after receiving emergency surgery.

1967

14Jan

Mannix, Frank James

First Constable 9736

On Saturday January 14, 1967, following a cricket game at Woomelang, a number of young men from Wycheproof returned to the town affected by alcohol. After the hotel closed at 10 pm, two of them went to a local café for a meal. Whilst there, one of the youths was told by his father to go home. The young man was affected by alcohol, and when it was suggested he be driven, he became argumentative and aggressive. A scuffle developed, and a number of other people became involved. First Constable Mannix, who was in uniform, attended at the scene. He tried without success to pacify the youth. Whilst at the scene Mannix had a heart attack and collapsed. He was taken to the local hospital, but was dead on arrival. The young man’s 57-year-old father returned home and died of a heart attack that same night.

1968

03Nov

Blythe, Darrel

First Constable, 13312

At about 2.30 a.m. on Saturday, 3rd November 1968, First Constable Blythe was driving a police car east along the Princes Highway, Werribee. When he arrived at the intersection with the Maltby By-Pass a west bound car travelling on the wrong side of the divided highway collided head-on with the police vehicle. Both Blythe and Graham Douglas Tillman, the driver of the other vehicle, were taken to the Footscray and District Hospital, but both died soon after admission. Tillman was affected by liquor and travelling at a high speed at the time of the collision.