Victor William Arbuckle

Died

:

11 October 1969

Age

:

29

Rank

:

Constable

Force

:

Royal Ulster Constabulary

Cause

:

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot and fatally wounded by terrorists while on a police cordon during serious rioting in the Shankill Road, Belfast.

At 11.20pm on Saturday 11 October 1969, Constable Victor Arbuckle was accompanied by a number of colleagues at a cordon near the end of the Shankill Road near Unity Flats.

Serious rioting was in progress and sporadic gunfire was taking place. The disorder was due to the release of the Hunt Report recommending The disbandment of the USC and the disarming of the RUC.

During this disorder Victor was struck by a single shot to the head resulting in his death. Three men were charged with his murder but were found not guilty but received sentences for firearms possession.

Victor was married with two children, a son and daughter. He was the first RUC Officer to be murdered at the start of what became known as ‘The Troubles’

His funeral took place at Bloomfield Gospel Hall in East Belfast and he was interred in Roselawn cemetery.