Arthur Duncan (police officer)

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Constable Arthur Duncan was the first member of the Calgary Police Service to be murdered in the line of duty.

[edit] Circumstances of death

The body of Constable Arthur Duncan was discovered in the early hours of July 2, 1917. Constable Duncan had suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the jaw, and one to the chest. Constable Duncan didn’t have a chance to draw his service weapon, as it was still in its holster when he was found.

Constable Duncan made his routine check-in with communications at midnight that evening, but failed to call in at both 1am and 2am. His Sergeant was informed, and search was started. The body of Constable Duncan was located at 4:40am and was located by a civilian. It appeared Constable Duncan had surprised his killers, who were in the act of retrieving stolen property hidden under a building at an earlier time.

Constable Duncan had served the City of Calgary for six years, and was a 12 year veteran of Scotland yard prior to his time in Calgary. Constable Duncan was survived by his wife and a young son, and despite both evidence at the scene and a $1000.00 reward, Constable Duncan’s killers were never found.