Constable Jeremiah Dunn

Imagine being beaten to death... not by a hardened criminal, but by an angry crowd.

On October 22, 1861, Constable Jeremiah Dunn of the Newfoundland Constabulary along with three other police officers were called to deal with what should have been a routine arrest in Harbour Grace. They encountered two men who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The men were advised to go home. The men refused and the police officers decided to take them into custody. They succeeded in taking one of the men into custody. The officer in charge sensed further trouble and summoned reinforcements. They proceeded to make the second arrest.

As Constable Dunn attempted to take him into custody, a crowd gathered. Instead of helping the officers, the mob turned against them.

Stones began flying.

One after another, they struck Constable Dunn until he collapsed. He died from his injuries, becoming one of the first police officers in Newfoundland to lose his life in the line of duty.

In the 1800s, policing in Newfoundland was a dangerous job. Officers worked alone, without radios, backup, or protective equipment. They relied on the support of the community. But on that October day, the community became the danger.

The killing shocked the colony and served as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine arrest could turn into a deadly confrontation.

More than 160 years later, Constable Jeremiah Dunn's death is still remembered as one of the earliest sacrifices made by a Newfoundland police officer in the line of duty.

His story is a reminder that the risks faced by police officers today are not new. They are part of a long history of public service—and sometimes, extraordinary courage.

Follow for more forgotten crimes and mysteries from Newfoundland's past.