Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch posted a remembrance notice today for former Thorold Constable Joseph Trueman.
MacCulloch wrote: "Today we honour the memory of Constable Joseph Trueman, who tragically died in the line of duty on Dec. 17, 1922, while walking the beat as a member of the Town of Thorold Police. Just 35 years old at the time, 97 years later we still remember."
Constable Joseph Trueman (age 35 years)
Start Date - Welland Police Force - May, 1920
Start Date - Thorold Police Force - Sept., 1921
Died - "Shot" walking the beat in Thorold Dec. 17, 1922
Joseph Trueman was born on Monday, April 25, 1887, in the Town of Balleygawley, of the County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland. He was one of 10 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 make 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 thirty-third 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, Dec. 17, 1922, while alone in town on foot patrol, 35-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.
