Today the Niagara Regional Police honoured Constable Joseph Trueman from the Thorold Police Department, who was shot to death on December 17, 1922 while on foot patrol serving his community. To pay tribute, flags will be lowered to half-mast at NRPS Police facilities throughout the day.
From the NRPS
Constable Joseph Trueman ( age 35 years)
Start Date: Welland Police Force, May 1920
Start Date: Thorold Police Force, September 21
Died: “Shot” walking the best in Thorold, December 17, 1922
Joseph Trueman was born on Monday, April 25th 1887 in the Town of Balleygawley of the County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. He was one of ten children ( five boys and five girls) born to Joseph Trueman and his loving wife Sarah Matilda Trueman (nee: Givan)
At the age of 21 he decided to travel to Canada, the land of opportunity, and made his life there. His older brother and sister, William and Matilda were already living in Canada and young Joseph stayed with them in Toronto until securing a job as a bank messenger in Welland, Ontario. His brother and sister soon moved west to British Columbia with their young families, while he remained in Ontario. Joseph continued his employment with the Imperial Bank for a number of years and was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Copestone Masonic Lodge as well an active member of the Welland Baptist Church.
Shortly after his 33rd birthday Joseph Trueman decided to become a police officer, so he joined the Welland Police Department. In September of 1921 he moved to the nearby town of Thorold, Ontario and became a member of the police force there.
Described as gracious, kind and thoughtful, Joseph Trueman had a smile and kindly greeting whenever one met him on the street. He was a likable, warmhearted, Irishman, who prided himself in a job well done, overlooking no duty.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 17th, 1922, while alone in town on foot patrol, thirty-five year old Joseph Trueman was confronted by a known bootlegger and was shot to death.
As a result of his strong sense of duty, Joseph Trueman ultimately and tragically made the supreme sacrifice and gave his life enforcing the rule of law to protect society from the evils of violence and crime.
At the time of his death, Constable Trueman was engaged to be married.
