John Parker

Died

:

29 August 1869

Age

:

36

Rank

:

Police Constable

Force

:

Preston Borough Police

Cause

:

Medical

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Died from hydrophobia nine months after being bitten on the hand while capturing a rabid dog in Friargate, Preston.

On 28th November 1868, while on duty at Friargate, PC Parker successfully captured a rabid dog that had already bitten a young boy and four adults, but in doing so he was bitten several times on the hand, quite severely on the thumb, leading to a few days on sick leave.

He seemingly remained well for nine months but, after finishing his duty at Preston cricket ground at 5:00pm on Saturday 28th August 1869, John returned home and, at 8:00pm, sent a note to the police station saying that he was unwell and would not be able to resume his duty at 9:00pm.

The following morning he was attended by a doctor and later taken to the local infirmary where, between 5:00pm and 7:00pm, his symptoms worsened significantly as he suffered painful spasms. He died just before 9:00pm that same day.

PC Parker joined the force on 26th May 1868 having previously served eleven years with the West Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary.

He left six young children, aged from three to thirteen years. His wife had died five months earlier, in March 1869, with her death being attributed to her anxiety over her husband’s wellbeing.