In the line of duty

On September 29, the feast day of the Archangel Michael the patron saint of police, a remembrance ceremony is held annually to honour officers killed in the line of duty. Warkworth’s first policeman Constable Neil McLeod is believed to have been the first officer in New Zealand to lose his life in this way.

Neil McLeod came to New Zealand with a large family group in 1865 on the ship Viscount Canning. At 25 years of age, he joined the New Zealand Armed Constabulary and was sent to Alexandra Military Settlement, at the foot of Mt Pirongia. Soon after his marriage, in 1878, his status changed to town constable. He considered himself fortunate to be transferred to Warkworth in 1880 where a new dwelling and courthouse awaited him.

The years at Warkworth were happy until tragedy struck the family when his wife Rebecca died having their fifth child. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Parkinson, whose family gave their name to Parkinson’s Hill, near the present Warkworth golf course. After moving to Dargaville another two daughters were born.

The northern town proved a difficult posting and after three years, he was presented with an illustrated scroll at a farewell function. With the family aboard the Minnie Casey bound for Auckland, the dramatic events of the night of 29 July 1890 unfolded. The noisy and troublesome behaviour of a drunken gum-digger named Henry Funke led to the captain removing the man’s rifle and taking the boat back to Mangawhare wharf. The two constables on board escorted the disturbed man ashore. As the boat drew away, Funke pulled a concealed pistol from his person and fired at the Minnie Casey. His third shot hit Constable McLeod who fell to the deck and died instantly.

Elizabeth McLeod brought her large family of children and step-children, including a daughter Neila born after Neil’s death, back to Warkworth. Descendants inspired by her courage have written her story at length. In 1986, Queen Elizabeth unveiled the police memorial to fallen officers at Porirua and a number of McLeod descendants attended including two serving officers who were great grandsons of Neil McLeod.

Published November 2010