John William Smith

Died

26 May 1877

Age

Rank

Police Constable

Force

East & West India Docks Police

Cause

Homicide - Beaten

Duty Status

On Duty

Circumstances

Whilst on patrol with another Constable they had cause to stop a man they suspected of having stolen property, the man immediately became aggressive and struck Constable Smith violently in the face. Constable Smith and the man then struggled on the ground together where Constable Smith bled excessively and died.

Bled to death from a haemorrhage after being violently struck in the face and involved in a struggle on the ground while on patrol with another officer, when a man they had stopped on suspicion of having stolen property, immediately became aggressive.