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Honouring those who fell many,
many years ago
The grave of the first New Zealand police officer killed in the line
of duty has received a spruce-up thanks to a group of Community Relations staff
in Henderson.
 The grave of Neil McLeod is one of two at Waikumete Cemetery belonging
to slain police officers. The second is Percy Tulloch’s. Sergeant Brian
Louden discovered them during a guided tour by Friends of Waikumete back in
January. “The cemetery was full of murderers and vagabonds and in amongst
that illustrious company were these two serving police officers,” he
says.
Brian says the cemetery contains a large number of Armed Forces personnel
whose graves are regularly tended by Service members. That sparked the idea
to tidy up the graves of Neil and Percy, which had become “slightly worn
down with the passage of time”.
Approval was obtained from the next of kin, including Percy’s sisters
and Neil’s great-granddaughter. “One of our Intell analysts, Bryony
Brown, helped us locate the families by inquiring at rest homes,” says
Brian.
A team of four Community Constables from Waitakere, plus Brian, then
spent a day painting, weeding and polishing at the grave sites. “There
was a link to us as Neil was a Community Constable from Dargaville transferring
to Auckland when he was killed”.
A memorial service is planned for 30 July – the 114th anniversary of
Neil’s death – which Brian hopes to make an annual event. Family
of both officers are expected to attend, along with current serving personnel.
“
We really want to honour those who have fallen,” he says. The clean up
will become an annual undertaking.
Neil McLeod was shot dead on 30 July 1890 onboard the steamship Minnie
Casey. A 47-year-old passenger had caused trouble onboard and was escorted
off. As the steamer pulled away, the man fired three shots, the last of which
hit Neil in the chest.
Percy Tulloch was shot dead on 8 October 1941 by Stanley Graham in Hokitika.
Three other officers and three civilians were also killed after police were
called to Graham’s address following a dispute with a neighbour. Graham
also killed two members of the Homeguard while on the run for seven weeks.
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