TPAV Journal - The Police Association Victoria

TOP: Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, Police Association Secretary Greg Davies and minister for Veterans Affairs Hugh Delahunty.
AbOVE: One of mcGrath’s descendants lays down a floral wreath in remembrance.
murderer’s remains, yet allow this situation
to continue," said Greg.
As a result of the publicity garnered from
wilkinson’s article and successful lobbying
action of The Police Association, and the
through the action of Police minister
Peter Ryan, the Government immediately
provided funding of $50,000 for the
restoration of several police gravesites.
Since then, The Police Graves Restoration
Committee has been coordinating the
restorations and managing the process
with former Ch. Insp. Ralph Stavely carrying
much of the load.
Thursday, 27 September saw the
first of the restorations complete,
the restoration of Constable David Edward
mcGrath’s gravesite. The restoration was
marked with a rededication ceremony
at Coburg cemetery.
"Since it was David mcGrath’s grave
that initially brought this issue to light,
it was our view that it should be the first
to be restored," said Greg.
Among those that attended the
rededication ceremony was Police
Association Secretary Greg Davies, Chief
Commissioner Ken Lay, the minister
for Veterans Affairs Hugh Delahunty,
several mcGrath descendants and the
Police Graves Restoration Committee.
"This ceremony is a timely reminder to
me and every police member just how
dangerous policing can be," said Chief
Commissioner Ken Lay.
"The Police Graves memorial fund is a
mark of respect for those Officers killed
while serving Victoria. The graves of these
[slain Officers] will give Victorians cause
to pause and to reflect on the very real
dangers faced by our police members on
a daily basis. I thank Police Officers for the
work they do for Victoria," said minister for
Veteran Affairs, Hugh Delahunty.
about Constable
David Edward
McGrath
Constable David Edward mcGrath
was killed while investigating a
burglary at Trades Hall in Carlton
on 1 October, 1915. He responded,
with other police, and discovered an
attempt had been made to open the
safe. David mcGrath confronted two
burglars in a hallway and a number
of shots were fired. John Jackson,
the offender who fired the fatal
shot, was convicted of murder
and hanged at the Old melbourne
Gaol, making him the last person
in Victoria to be executed for
murdering a policeman.
The Police Association Victoria Journal October 2012
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