WHEN DEATH, dealt by the blazing gun
of a madman, struck into the ranks of the
B. C. Police at Prince Rupert on July 4 it
brought to a close two promising careers in
the police realm and removed two popular
members of the force — Acting Inspector
William John Ser-
J vice and Sergeant

Robert Gibson.

Like all uniformed
men whose duty is
the maintenance of
law and order these
two had worked

| with the knowledge
that daily they faced
such an undeserving
end, but little did
they ever think
theirs would be the
fate of having no
opportunity to de-
fend themselves.

Acting Inspector
Service and Sergeant
Gibson were shot at
2.24 in the after-
noon by Mike Gur-
vich, a former
asylum inmate, who
had become infuriated over the serving of a
trespass summons on him. They were fired
upon and killed in cold blood as they per-
formed regular duties in the Prince Rupert
Court-house.

The late Acting Inspec-
tor W. J. Service

DEATH AVENGED

Their death, however, was soon avenged.
Within a few minutes of the first shooting,
Gurvich, the slayer, lay dead on the floor
of a Prince Rupert beer parlor where he

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had been pursued by Corporal Harold Ray-
bone and Constables G. H. Clark and T. A.
Stewart. He was slain by a single shot from
Constable Clark’s gun as he crouched be-
hind a sofa seeking useless protection from
the barking guns of police officers.

It was fitting tribute that the Attorney-
General’s Department should grant promo-
tions to the three brave officers who brought
to a speedy end the murderous intentions
of the crazed man.

Acting Inspector Service was an Irishman
who, during 22 years’ service with the
British Columbia Police had established a
splendid record—a record which was on
eight occasions recognized by headquarters
when he was mentioned in General Orders
for meritorious conduct.

He first saw the light of day on July 2,
{893, at Glenwherry, Ballymena County,
Antrim, Ireland. As a young man of 20 he
first wore the uniform of khaki and green,
enlisting as a constable in the detachment at
South Fort George. Shortly after this en-
listment, however, he donned another khaki
uniform—this time with no green trimmings
—and served overseas with the C. E. F.

Returning to Canada he rejoined the Pro-
vincial Police, and on July 1, 1919, was
transferred to Smithers detachment.

First promotion came in September, 1929,
when he was transferred back to Prince
George, this time as a sergeant. Then fol-
lowed a period of speedy progress in the
force.

In October, 1930, he was sent to Prince
Rupert city as N. C. O. in charge. Three
years later he went to Kamloops. In April,
1934, he was made acting staff sergeant, and
in November of the following year this ap-
pointment was confirmed. On the first of
July this year he was transferred to Prince
Rupert as acting inspector in charge of
“D” division, a position which he held for
only four days before he was slain.

He was married and had a family of five
girls.

SERGEANT GIBSON

Sergeant Gibson, although not having
enjoyed the colourful career of his superior
officer, was nevertheless another of the
“stalwarts” of the B. C. Police who came
from the Old Country.

He was born in Greenock, Scotland, on
March 5, 1888, and also served his country
overseas from 1915 to 1918.

The date of his enlistment with the force

was March 28, 1918, when he was made a
constable at Naas River. Twice during his
first year he was transferred, first to Prince
Rupert and later to Port Essington.

At the latter detachment he remained 10
years, until April 15, 1928, when he was
returned to Prince Rupert.

On April 1, 1934, he was made acting
corporal, and two years later this appoint-
ment was confirmed and he was transferred
to divisional headquarters at Prince Rupert.
In April, last year, he was given three
stripes.

Sergeant Gibson was
General Orders.

He is survived by his wife and two chil-
dren, a boy and a girl.

commended in

HENRY C. CLARKE

The Force lost another valued member by
death in July in the person of Constable
Henry C. Clarke, of Coalmont Detachment.
Born in England in 1888, he served overseas
with the 29th Battalion, from Vancouver,
1914-1919. Mr. Clarke joined the B.C.
Police on September 1, 1920, as a member
of the Game Branch stationed at Alexis
Creek. In August, 1921, he was transferred
to police duty and served at Vernon,
Williams Lake, Quesnel, Greenwood and
Penticton. He was transferred to Coal-
mont Detachment on the first of May,
this year. Well liked by his comrades,
possessor of a host of friends, he will
be missed by all who knew him. Our sym-
pathy is extended to Mrs. Clarke in her sad
bereavement.

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REGINALD HAYWARD, Director and Secretary

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