Andrew Barton KPM

Died

:

15 April 1913

Age

:

40

Rank

:

Sergeant

Force

:

Northumberland County Constabulary

Cause

:

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot and killed after entering an inn to disarm a man who had already shot dead another officer. Posthumously awarded the King’s Police Medal for Gallantry.

It was noted on 6th April that £45 was missing from the accounts of the Sun Inn.

On 15th April a heated argument over the money led to police being called to the Sun Inn. The owner was there with the new landlord and his wife, the owner intending to evict the current landlord due to the accounting errors and stock discrepancies.

Pc George Mussell from Bedlington Police Station was sent to resolve the matter. Although he was meant to be off duty he was doing an extra shift as a favour.

At the pub the disturbance escalated and the current landlord being evicted produced a shotgun and shot Pc Mussell twice.

Sergeant Andrew Barton, on patrol nearby, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene.

Sergeant Barton knew the landlord well and tried to reason with him, but was then also shot twice.

A third person, the wife of the pub’s new landlord, was also shot dead.

Posthumously awarded the King’s Police Medal for Gallantry.