Date: Monday, June 3, 2024
Victoria, B.C. – This week, VicPD officers and staff are remembering one of our own. Constable Johnston Cochrane’s End of Watch was on June 2, 1859, and he was the first law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in B.C. His murder remains unsolved.
Constable Cochrane’s Memorial Plaque in the VicPD Hall of Honour
VicPD was founded in 1858. In early June of 1859, Constable Cochrane was given a warrant to serve on a suspect for pig theft. At that time officers were normally unarmed, save for a wooden baton. Constable Cochrane signed out a firearm as this file was considered a dangerous duty. He departed, on foot, and headed to the Craigflower Farm area. This was the last time he was seen alive.
When Constable Cochrane failed to return, search parties were launched. His body was found near Craigflower Road. Constable Cochrane had been shot twice and his service pistol was missing.
A suspect was arrested two days later but was released due to a “water-tight” alibi. A second suspect was arrested on June 21, but the charges were also dismissed for lack of evidence. Constable Cochrane’s murder was never solved.
Constable Cochrane was buried in the Old Burying Grounds, also known as Pioneer Square. His gravesite is unmarked. He was 36 years old, married and had children. A public subscription was raised for this “good officer’s” widow and family.
Constable Johnston Cochrane was born in Ireland and resided for a long time in the United States. He was employed by the Colony of Vancouver Island as a Police Constable keeping the peace in the early years of Fort Victoria.
We remember Constable Johnston Cochrane.
Learn more about VicPD’s fallen heroes.
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