At 1am, two cops walking the beat, saw a light in the T & J Thompson's (now Farmers) shop. Dorgan's colleague Constable Christopher, went to get a key so they could enter and investigate. But when he returned, Dorgan slumped against the gate in the right-of-way. Someone had shot Dorgan in his chest with a revolver. "He fired four shots at me and ran up the back. I’m thirsty. Get me a drink of water, please. I know I’m done.” He died at the scene fifteen minutes later. His murder must have been so shocking for our small community of Timaru.
Messrs T & J Thomson’s shop has been burgled previously two years earlier. The safe was opened and £200 stolen. The offender was caught and sent to gaol and had been released, but was believed not to be in Timaru. The burglar in this case had carefully planned the attempt. Collars, socks, shirts, and a suit were found packed in two bags ready for him to take away. They were of a size to fit a man of about five feet six inches.
It was also the third shooting in Timaru in 10 months. In October the year before, Dorgan was first on the scene to the murder of Clarence Edward Wagstaff, shot dead aged 19, at Timaru on October, 27 1920 was murdered at his home. It's thought Reginald Matthews was trying to steal the keys for Ballantynes store. He was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Dorgan made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty. He died aged 37 and left behind his wife Agnes (died 1973) and three children.
It's suspected that the police had a strong idea of who did it, but didn't have enough to pin it on him. Police took 70 sets of fingerprints and closely questioned several suspects in the search for Dorgan's killer - but an arrest was never made. Two bags of stolen clothes were found nearby.
Constable James Dorgan's death remains the only unsolved murder of a NZ policeman in history.
Today we remember him and think of his decendents.
Mr John O'Donovan, Commissioner of Police, wrote in 1921:
...“While life lasts, his memory will ever be cherished by his comrades in the Police Force, as well as by those good citizens of Timaru who have honoured us to-day with their presence or their sympathy. And when life fails, in due time, the monument which I trust will be raised over this grave to perpetuate his memory will commemorate in everlasting marble the heroic deed whereby he sacrificed his life, and will pass on to future generations the tradition of the valour and fidelity to duty of the men of the New Zealand Police. Force."
His headstone was erected by his comrades.
N.Z. Police Force.
Thank you to all those who risk their lives to help protect and care for our community.
There was meant to be a memorial walk for James Dorgan today but it was canceled due to covid
Photos by Wuhoo Timaru of the alley-way, the gate and where he rests at the Timaru Cemetery
I was very honoured when the national police archives reached out for permission to include my photos in their archive for researchers.
