Sergeant Hughes was called to an armed domestic dispute, while trying to protect the female occupants within a house he was shot in the wrist by the gunman.

A short time later the gunman gained access to the premises and killed all the occupants, including Sergeant Hughes, before turning the gun upon himself.

Sergeant Hughes was awarded the Commissioners Gold Merit Award for Bravery.

On 8 October 1941 in Koiterangi (now Kowhitirangi) near Hokitika on the West Coast, Sergeant Cooper and Constables Best, Jordan and Tulloch were shot while trying to apprehend a gunman. Best died three days later, the others died instantly.

The gunman, a West Coast farmer, shot the police officers and three civilians after refusing to hand over his firearms.

This was the largest manhunt in New Zealand and after 12 days seven people had died, including the gunman. An eighth victim died eighteen months later from gunshot wounds received at the shooting.