About 8.20 p.m., Monday, March 1, 1943, Senior Constable Frederick Jones was shot dead whilst standing at the intersection of Church Street and Bridge Road in Richmond. The murderer, Norman Morris Searle, had fired from a passing taxi cab in which he was a passenger. Searle was arrested later the same night and charged with the murder of the Constable and with shooting at the cab driver. It was alleged he confessed to shooting Jones by mistake and in fact had meant to murder another Constable against whom he held a grudge. He denied this at his trial claiming he had been under the influence of alcohol and could not recall the incident. He was convicted of murder at the Melbourne Supreme Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.
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The death of Senior Constable Frederick Edward Jones, by Ralph Stavely:
If it hadn't been for his brand new uniform, Senior Constable "Fred" Jones of the Richmond Police Station may not have been killed on duty.
His death occurred on Monday 1 March 1943, when World War Two was at its height. Fred had been detailed to inspect a group of Auxiliary Police at South Richmond, and he knew that if he rode the station bicycle there he would get grease on his trousers. So he chose to travel by the Church Street tram instead, to avoid damaging his expensive new clothes.
At 8:20pm that evening, whilst he was standing outside the Chemist shop at the intersection with Bridge Road waiting for the tram, he fell to the pavement.
The Chemist, and a U.S. soldier who was nearby, ran to his aid. They thought he had suffered a heart attack, and it wasn't until Fred's body was later closely examined that it was found he had been shot through the heart.
A Homicide investigation began immediately and Fred's murderer, Norman Morris Searle, was soon caught. He told the detectives that he had mistaken Fred for another policeman from Richmond, against whom he held a grudge. Searle had been going past in a taxi when he first saw Fred on the corner. He had then gone straight home to get a .22 calibre rifle, then returned in the same vehicle and shot Fred through the heart.
However, when interviewed, Searle claimed that he could not remember the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated at the time. His excuse was not accepted by the court, and he was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Unlike Searle, the members of the Jones family have always had vivid memories of that evening, and have had to live with them ever since. Their story came to light when Fred's eldest daughter Betty was recently contacted, and asked if she could provide a photograph of her father to update the Police Association Honour Roll.
Her memory of her father's death provides us with a sad reminder of how inadequate victim support services were at that time.
Betty, who is now a sprightly 80 year old, was 13 when her father was killed, and she remembers the night of his death very well. That evening she, her mother, her younger sister Gwen and a family friend had gone to the movies together. When they returned home they saw an unmarked police car driving away. They didn't think this unusual, as the plain clothes police often gave Fred a lift home.
As Betty recalls it, when they went inside they were surprised to find that there was no sign of Dad, however, her elder brother Ted was at home. When they asked him where their father was he have his mother a note the police had left. It read - Dear Madam - Your husband passed away at Richmond this evening. About an hour later a uniformed policeman from Northcote came to the door. Betty's mother ran to him and said "It's not true?" He replied, "O Yes Madam, he's in the Morgue".
This callous treatment, which seems unbelievable to us now, added an extra level of trauma to the tragic circumstances. As Betty says, a death such as her father's has a special effect on those left behind.
As traditionally happens when a policeman is killed, Fred received a police funeral. It was a large event, and included a parade of uniformed police, an escort of police motor cycles and horses, and the police brass band. Because Fred had served in the Royal Navy during World War I there were also tributes from ex-service organizations.
Betty's mother nearly died of a heart attack on the night before the service. She later said it was only the thought that her three children would be left without either parent that pulled her through.
Nor did the family get the back up support they would receive now. They had always assumed that the "Government" had paid for the funeral, but it was only years later, after their Uncle Dan died, they learned that unbeknownst to them he had paid for it.
Then the Taxation Department started chasing Mrs Jones for details about her husband's tax return. She knew nothing about it, as Fred had always attended to such matters. When the Police Force refused to provide either she or the Taxation Department with the necessary detail, the Taxation authorities threatened to sue her.
The situation was only saved after she contacted the Truth newspaper for help. Reporters from Truth had come to the family home after Fred had died, and told them that if they ever needed assistance they could contact the paper for help. They proved true to their word, and had their Solicitors, Mulholland and Derham, look into the matter. Following the newspapers intervention the family was contacted by Tax officials whose attitude had changed considerably. The matter was then quickly and amicably resolved.
However, financial worries continued to plague the family, and much of this had to do with their mother's six month battle to secure a pension. Before it could be awarded she had to appear before a board of six Inspectors. She had hoped to receive a lump sum payment, as this would have allowed her to apply for the Commonwealth Government Widow's Pension. However, the Board either could not or would not do this, and as a result she received a meager police pension instead. Nor was any workers compensation available to help the family.
Following their father's death their mother went to work to support her children. At first she was employed at St Andrew's Hospital, and then worked as a cook at various hotels in the metropolitan area. Due to their financial circumstances they could never afford to buy their own home, and lived in a succession of rented premises.
Ironically Fred's grandson Kevin Frederick Mills was also killed whilst a serving member of Victoria Police. Constable Mills, Register Number 18634, was stationed at Russell Street at the time of his death on 20 February 1975. He was off duty at the time, and was a passenger in a car being driven by a friend.
Despite the many obstacles she faced when growing up, Betty Jones has made the most of her opportunities in life. She is rightfully proud both of her father's police service, and of her mother's love and care for the family. Fred Jones is still very much alive in the loving memories of his family.
- Remember, September 2010
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The death of Senior Constable Frederick Edward Jones, by Ralph Stavely:
If it hadn't been for his brand new uniform, Senior Constable "Fred" Jones of the Richmond Police Station may not have been killed on duty.
His death occurred on Monday 1 March 1943, when World War Two was at its height. Fred had been detailed to inspect a group of Auxiliary Police at South Richmond, and he knew that if he rode the station bicycle there he would get grease on his trousers. So he chose to travel by the Church Street tram instead, to avoid damaging his expensive new clothes.
At 8:20pm that evening, whilst he was standing outside the Chemist shop at the intersection with Bridge Road waiting for the tram, he fell to the pavement.
The Chemist, and a U.S. soldier who was nearby, ran to his aid. They thought he had suffered a heart attack, and it wasn't until Fred's body was later closely examined that it was found he had been shot through the heart.
A Homicide investigation began immediately and Fred's murderer, Norman Morris Searle, was soon caught. He told the detectives that he had mistaken Fred for another policeman from Richmond, against whom he held a grudge. Searle had been going past in a taxi when he first saw Fred on the corner. He had then gone straight home to get a .22 calibre rifle, then returned in the same vehicle and shot Fred through the heart.
However, when interviewed, Searle claimed that he could not remember the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated at the time. His excuse was not accepted by the court, and he was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Unlike Searle, the members of the Jones family have always had vivid memories of that evening, and have had to live with them ever since. Their story came to light when Fred's eldest daughter Betty was recently contacted, and asked if she could provide a photograph of her father to update the Police Association Honour Roll.
Her memory of her father's death provides us with a sad reminder of how inadequate victim support services were at that time.
Betty, who is now a sprightly 80 year old, was 13 when her father was killed, and she remembers the night of his death very well. That evening she, her mother, her younger sister Gwen and a family friend had gone to the movies together. When they returned home they saw an unmarked police car driving away. They didn't think this unusual, as the plain clothes police often gave Fred a lift home.
As Betty recalls it, when they went inside they were surprised to find that there was no sign of Dad, however, her elder brother Ted was at home. When they asked him where their father was he have his mother a note the police had left. It read - Dear Madam - Your husband passed away at Richmond this evening. About an hour later a uniformed policeman from Northcote came to the door. Betty's mother ran to him and said "It's not true?" He replied, "O Yes Madam, he's in the Morgue".
This callous treatment, which seems unbelievable to us now, added an extra level of trauma to the tragic circumstances. As Betty says, a death such as her father's has a special effect on those left behind.
As traditionally happens when a policeman is killed, Fred received a police funeral. It was a large event, and included a parade of uniformed police, an escort of police motor cycles and horses, and the police brass band. Because Fred had served in the Royal Navy during World War I there were also tributes from ex-service organizations.
Betty's mother nearly died of a heart attack on the night before the service. She later said it was only the thought that her three children would be left without either parent that pulled her through.
Nor did the family get the back up support they would receive now. They had always assumed that the "Government" had paid for the funeral, but it was only years later, after their Uncle Dan died, they learned that unbeknownst to them he had paid for it.
Then the Taxation Department started chasing Mrs Jones for details about her husband's tax return. She knew nothing about it, as Fred had always attended to such matters. When the Police Force refused to provide either she or the Taxation Department with the necessary detail, the Taxation authorities threatened to sue her.
The situation was only saved after she contacted the Truth newspaper for help. Reporters from Truth had come to the family home after Fred had died, and told them that if they ever needed assistance they could contact the paper for help. They proved true to their word, and had their Solicitors, Mulholland and Derham, look into the matter. Following the newspapers intervention the family was contacted by Tax officials whose attitude had changed considerably. The matter was then quickly and amicably resolved.
However, financial worries continued to plague the family, and much of this had to do with their mother's six month battle to secure a pension. Before it could be awarded she had to appear before a board of six Inspectors. She had hoped to receive a lump sum payment, as this would have allowed her to apply for the Commonwealth Government Widow's Pension. However, the Board either could not or would not do this, and as a result she received a meager police pension instead. Nor was any workers compensation available to help the family.
Following their father's death their mother went to work to support her children. At first she was employed at St Andrew's Hospital, and then worked as a cook at various hotels in the metropolitan area. Due to their financial circumstances they could never afford to buy their own home, and lived in a succession of rented premises.
Ironically Fred's grandson Kevin Frederick Mills was also killed whilst a serving member of Victoria Police. Constable Mills, Register Number 18634, was stationed at Russell Street at the time of his death on 20 February 1975. He was off duty at the time, and was a passenger in a car being driven by a friend.
Despite the many obstacles she faced when growing up, Betty Jones has made the most of her opportunities in life. She is rightfully proud both of her father's police service, and of her mother's love and care for the family. Fred Jones is still very much alive in the loving memories of his family.
- Remember, September 2010
About 8.20 p.m., Monday, March 1, 1943, Senior Constable Frederick Jones was shot dead whilst standing at the intersection of Church Street and Bridge Road in Richmond. The murderer, Norman Morris Searle, had fired from a passing taxi cab in which he was a passenger. Searle was arrested later the same night and charged with the murder of the Constable and with shooting at the cab driver. It was alleged he confessed to shooting Jones by mistake and in fact had meant to murder another Constable against whom he held a grudge. He denied this at his trial claiming he had been under the influence of alcohol and could not recall the incident. He was convicted of murder at the Melbourne Supreme Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.
-----
The death of Senior Constable Frederick Edward Jones, by Ralph Stavely:
If it hadn't been for his brand new uniform, Senior Constable "Fred" Jones of the Richmond Police Station may not have been killed on duty.
His death occurred on Monday 1 March 1943, when World War Two was at its height. Fred had been detailed to inspect a group of Auxiliary Police at South Richmond, and he knew that if he rode the station bicycle there he would get grease on his trousers. So he chose to travel by the Church Street tram instead, to avoid damaging his expensive new clothes.
At 8:20pm that evening, whilst he was standing outside the Chemist shop at the intersection with Bridge Road waiting for the tram, he fell to the pavement.
The Chemist, and a U.S. soldier who was nearby, ran to his aid. They thought he had suffered a heart attack, and it wasn't until Fred's body was later closely examined that it was found he had been shot through the heart.
A Homicide investigation began immediately and Fred's murderer, Norman Morris Searle, was soon caught. He told the detectives that he had mistaken Fred for another policeman from Richmond, against whom he held a grudge. Searle had been going past in a taxi when he first saw Fred on the corner. He had then gone straight home to get a .22 calibre rifle, then returned in the same vehicle and shot Fred through the heart.
However, when interviewed, Searle claimed that he could not remember the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated at the time. His excuse was not accepted by the court, and he was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Unlike Searle, the members of the Jones family have always had vivid memories of that evening, and have had to live with them ever since. Their story came to light when Fred's eldest daughter Betty was recently contacted, and asked if she could provide a photograph of her father to update the Police Association Honour Roll.
Her memory of her father's death provides us with a sad reminder of how inadequate victim support services were at that time.
Betty, who is now a sprightly 80 year old, was 13 when her father was killed, and she remembers the night of his death very well. That evening she, her mother, her younger sister Gwen and a family friend had gone to the movies together. When they returned home they saw an unmarked police car driving away. They didn't think this unusual, as the plain clothes police often gave Fred a lift home.
As Betty recalls it, when they went inside they were surprised to find that there was no sign of Dad, however, her elder brother Ted was at home. When they asked him where their father was he have his mother a note the police had left. It read - Dear Madam - Your husband passed away at Richmond this evening. About an hour later a uniformed policeman from Northcote came to the door. Betty's mother ran to him and said "It's not true?" He replied, "O Yes Madam, he's in the Morgue".
This callous treatment, which seems unbelievable to us now, added an extra level of trauma to the tragic circumstances. As Betty says, a death such as her father's has a special effect on those left behind.
As traditionally happens when a policeman is killed, Fred received a police funeral. It was a large event, and included a parade of uniformed police, an escort of police motor cycles and horses, and the police brass band. Because Fred had served in the Royal Navy during World War I there were also tributes from ex-service organizations.
Betty's mother nearly died of a heart attack on the night before the service. She later said it was only the thought that her three children would be left without either parent that pulled her through.
Nor did the family get the back up support they would receive now. They had always assumed that the "Government" had paid for the funeral, but it was only years later, after their Uncle Dan died, they learned that unbeknownst to them he had paid for it.
Then the Taxation Department started chasing Mrs Jones for details about her husband's tax return. She knew nothing about it, as Fred had always attended to such matters. When the Police Force refused to provide either she or the Taxation Department with the necessary detail, the Taxation authorities threatened to sue her.
The situation was only saved after she contacted the Truth newspaper for help. Reporters from Truth had come to the family home after Fred had died, and told them that if they ever needed assistance they could contact the paper for help. They proved true to their word, and had their Solicitors, Mulholland and Derham, look into the matter. Following the newspapers intervention the family was contacted by Tax officials whose attitude had changed considerably. The matter was then quickly and amicably resolved.
However, financial worries continued to plague the family, and much of this had to do with their mother's six month battle to secure a pension. Before it could be awarded she had to appear before a board of six Inspectors. She had hoped to receive a lump sum payment, as this would have allowed her to apply for the Commonwealth Government Widow's Pension. However, the Board either could not or would not do this, and as a result she received a meager police pension instead. Nor was any workers compensation available to help the family.
Following their father's death their mother went to work to support her children. At first she was employed at St Andrew's Hospital, and then worked as a cook at various hotels in the metropolitan area. Due to their financial circumstances they could never afford to buy their own home, and lived in a succession of rented premises.
Ironically Fred's grandson Kevin Frederick Mills was also killed whilst a serving member of Victoria Police. Constable Mills, Register Number 18634, was stationed at Russell Street at the time of his death on 20 February 1975. He was off duty at the time, and was a passenger in a car being driven by a friend.
Despite the many obstacles she faced when growing up, Betty Jones has made the most of her opportunities in life. She is rightfully proud both of her father's police service, and of her mother's love and care for the family. Fred Jones is still very much alive in the loving memories of his family.
- Remember, September 2010
-----
The death of Senior Constable Frederick Edward Jones, by Ralph Stavely:
If it hadn't been for his brand new uniform, Senior Constable "Fred" Jones of the Richmond Police Station may not have been killed on duty.
His death occurred on Monday 1 March 1943, when World War Two was at its height. Fred had been detailed to inspect a group of Auxiliary Police at South Richmond, and he knew that if he rode the station bicycle there he would get grease on his trousers. So he chose to travel by the Church Street tram instead, to avoid damaging his expensive new clothes.
At 8:20pm that evening, whilst he was standing outside the Chemist shop at the intersection with Bridge Road waiting for the tram, he fell to the pavement.
The Chemist, and a U.S. soldier who was nearby, ran to his aid. They thought he had suffered a heart attack, and it wasn't until Fred's body was later closely examined that it was found he had been shot through the heart.
A Homicide investigation began immediately and Fred's murderer, Norman Morris Searle, was soon caught. He told the detectives that he had mistaken Fred for another policeman from Richmond, against whom he held a grudge. Searle had been going past in a taxi when he first saw Fred on the corner. He had then gone straight home to get a .22 calibre rifle, then returned in the same vehicle and shot Fred through the heart.
However, when interviewed, Searle claimed that he could not remember the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated at the time. His excuse was not accepted by the court, and he was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Unlike Searle, the members of the Jones family have always had vivid memories of that evening, and have had to live with them ever since. Their story came to light when Fred's eldest daughter Betty was recently contacted, and asked if she could provide a photograph of her father to update the Police Association Honour Roll.
Her memory of her father's death provides us with a sad reminder of how inadequate victim support services were at that time.
Betty, who is now a sprightly 80 year old, was 13 when her father was killed, and she remembers the night of his death very well. That evening she, her mother, her younger sister Gwen and a family friend had gone to the movies together. When they returned home they saw an unmarked police car driving away. They didn't think this unusual, as the plain clothes police often gave Fred a lift home.
As Betty recalls it, when they went inside they were surprised to find that there was no sign of Dad, however, her elder brother Ted was at home. When they asked him where their father was he have his mother a note the police had left. It read - Dear Madam - Your husband passed away at Richmond this evening. About an hour later a uniformed policeman from Northcote came to the door. Betty's mother ran to him and said "It's not true?" He replied, "O Yes Madam, he's in the Morgue".
This callous treatment, which seems unbelievable to us now, added an extra level of trauma to the tragic circumstances. As Betty says, a death such as her father's has a special effect on those left behind.
As traditionally happens when a policeman is killed, Fred received a police funeral. It was a large event, and included a parade of uniformed police, an escort of police motor cycles and horses, and the police brass band. Because Fred had served in the Royal Navy during World War I there were also tributes from ex-service organizations.
Betty's mother nearly died of a heart attack on the night before the service. She later said it was only the thought that her three children would be left without either parent that pulled her through.
Nor did the family get the back up support they would receive now. They had always assumed that the "Government" had paid for the funeral, but it was only years later, after their Uncle Dan died, they learned that unbeknownst to them he had paid for it.
Then the Taxation Department started chasing Mrs Jones for details about her husband's tax return. She knew nothing about it, as Fred had always attended to such matters. When the Police Force refused to provide either she or the Taxation Department with the necessary detail, the Taxation authorities threatened to sue her.
The situation was only saved after she contacted the Truth newspaper for help. Reporters from Truth had come to the family home after Fred had died, and told them that if they ever needed assistance they could contact the paper for help. They proved true to their word, and had their Solicitors, Mulholland and Derham, look into the matter. Following the newspapers intervention the family was contacted by Tax officials whose attitude had changed considerably. The matter was then quickly and amicably resolved.
However, financial worries continued to plague the family, and much of this had to do with their mother's six month battle to secure a pension. Before it could be awarded she had to appear before a board of six Inspectors. She had hoped to receive a lump sum payment, as this would have allowed her to apply for the Commonwealth Government Widow's Pension. However, the Board either could not or would not do this, and as a result she received a meager police pension instead. Nor was any workers compensation available to help the family.
Following their father's death their mother went to work to support her children. At first she was employed at St Andrew's Hospital, and then worked as a cook at various hotels in the metropolitan area. Due to their financial circumstances they could never afford to buy their own home, and lived in a succession of rented premises.
Ironically Fred's grandson Kevin Frederick Mills was also killed whilst a serving member of Victoria Police. Constable Mills, Register Number 18634, was stationed at Russell Street at the time of his death on 20 February 1975. He was off duty at the time, and was a passenger in a car being driven by a friend.
Despite the many obstacles she faced when growing up, Betty Jones has made the most of her opportunities in life. She is rightfully proud both of her father's police service, and of her mother's love and care for the family. Fred Jones is still very much alive in the loving memories of his family.
- Remember, September 2010
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