Honour Roll

1930-04-17

Age: n/a

Constable Kirk was driving southbound on Yonge Street, one mile north of Thornhill, when his car was sideswiped by a northbound car causing the car to roll over several times. His body was found 65 feet from the car. He suffered a broken neck and died. As a result of his death, the County Warden and Commissioners provided a $2000 insurance policy on each constable.

1929-10-04

Age: 39

Constable Bingley was on patrol near Caledonia when he lost control of his motorcycle after his sidecar failed to right itself coming out of a curve, and was thrown striking his head on the pavement. He died of a fractured skull.

He had been a traffic officer for 2 years, and prior to joining the Department of Highways he was Deputy Chief of the Orillia Police for 3 years.

1929-07-13

Age: 63

Thomas Kehoe was a highly respected constable with the Bancroft Police. On the night of July 12, 1929 while on foot patrol he was crossing a street in the Village, when he was struck by a vehicle. He suffered a fractured scull and died in hospital the next day.

Three days later three local boys turned themselves into police. They had been drinking and driving and reported that they knew nothing of the accident unitl they heard reports of the officer being run down.

1929-06-27

Age: 36

At 5:00 pm. June 27, Charles R. Long an Aldershot farmer, carried out a daring robbery of the Ontario Savings Branch at 316 Ottawa Street. Armed with a shotgun, Long led police and citizens on a foot chase to 242 Rosslyn Avenue North where he darted into the basement of a house. Following closely behind was Constable Nesbitt and two citizens, Thomas Halcrow and Jonny Monk. Unable to see, Constable Nesbitt struck a match and found himself face to face with Long. A struggle ensued and Nesbitt was forced to retreat from the house after a stunning blow on the side of the head with the butt of the shotgun.

Several other officers including Acting Detective Clark arrived at the scene and surrounded the house. Tear gas and bottles of asphyxiating chemicals obtained from a nearby funeral home, were hurled into the basement. When Long failed to come out Detectives Bleakley and Clark donned gas masks and went in after him. Gunfire immediately erupted and ended with the deaths of Detective Clark and Charles Long.

1929-06-09

Age: 30

On June 9, 1929 Traffic Officer Campbell was working traffic duty and was on Montreal Road in Ottawa, when he was struck and killed by a motor vehicle.

Traffic Officer Campbell was 30 years of age, engaged and was to be married in just a couple of days, when he died. He was born and raised in St. Andrew, Ontario.

1928-11-9

Age: 41

Constable Fisher died from injuries received November 9, 1928, while riding in a police motorcycle sidecar. No further information is available.

1928-05-03

Age: 32

While responding to a call stating that a David Montgomery was causing trouble and possibly possessed a gun, Cst. Maker and another officer proceeded to the Montgomery Hotel where Mr. Montgomery acknowledged that he did have a gun and that he would give it to them. As he ran upstairs with the officers close behind, Montgomery suddenly reappeared with a revolver in his hand and fired point blank. As the officers retreated, Montgomery, in pursuit, fired again, hitting and killing Officer Maker and wounding the other officer. The Peterborough Police took chase as Montgomery fled and, as he was attempting to shoot the officers, he was fatally shot.

1928-01-12

Age: 43

Hiram O'Callaghan was appointed to the Department of Highways as a Provincial Traffic Officer in May 1927, working on the highways of eastern Ontario from Kemptville.

On the afternoon of January 12, 1928 Cst. O'Callaghan was patrolling the highway between Ottawa and Kemptville near Watterson's Corners, when his motorcycle was involved in a head on collision with a delivery truck. Hiram died instantly from his injuries. When WWI broke out Hiram served with the 156th Battalion serving in France, where he was seriously wounded and gassed.

In 1930 all Provincial Traffic Officers were amalgamated into the OPP.

1927-10-17

Age: 26

Traffic Officer Metcalfe was born and raised in Grimsby, Ontario, (born 17 April 1901 in Lincoln County). Parents Arthur W. Metcalfe and Gertrude (Beamer) Metcalfe. Leigh was one of ten children, six brothers and four sisters.

Traffic Officer Metcalfe was on patrol on the Provincial Highway when his motorcycle was involved in a head-on collision with a motor vehicle. Officer Metcalfe was thrown to the pavement sustaining severe head injuries. He was rushed to hospital in Hamilton by Coroner Dr. Elmore and Provincial Constable MacKay of Grimsby Detachment, but died from the fractured skull injuries.

Traffic Officer Metcalfe had just been appointed to the Department of Highways as a Highway Traffic Officer a few months earlier.

His death was the third Highway Traffic Officers killed during October in 1927.

1927-10-11

Age: 21

Constable McKay was patrolling on his motorcycle and had turned around to pursue a speeder. On the last curve on Holland Landing Hill he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown, striking his head on the pavement. He was killed instantly.