October 23, 2018
A former Nanango police officer with a colourful career was among the officers honoured around Queensland last month on National Police Remembrance Day.
A Memorial Day was held in North Queensland to remember the life of Constable Patrick McCabe who died while on duty at Mount Garnet on October 8, 1913.
Senior Constable Aleda Day captured a slice of Nanango history when she published a tribute to Constable Patrick McCabe on the MyPolice blog:
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Constable McCabe had a colourful history in the Queensland Police Force and at the time of his death at 38-years-old, had a number of disciplinary charges instigated by his superiors.
Despite this, he was a well-liked officer and had the support of the public.
Born in Queensland in 1877, Patrick was sworn in to the Queensland Police Force on August 11, 1896, at the age of 19.
After serving only four months at Roma Street Police Station, he was transferred to Nanango and served there for 15 months.
While stationed there he met a local girl, Jessie McCallum, and – through no fault of Jessie’s – this is where Patrick’s discipline problems started.
In 1896, single men were required to have a minimum of five year’s service before they could marry and were required to seek permission from the Police Commissioner to marry.
On April 26, 1899 it was discovered by McCabe’s superior officer that he had breached a General Order in relation to marriage, after Patrick and Jessie married in the Catholic Church in Mount Morgan on November 16, 1898.
Patrick had applied to marry Jessie but this application was refused as he was only two years into his service.
The Commissioner directed him to resign due to breaching a directive regarding marriage.
Believing Patrick was single he had been sent to Rockhampton for a month before being sent to Mount Morgan for eight months and then on to Geraldton (Cooktown), and it was here that he was officially discharged from the Police Force on June 29, 1899.
He was re-appointed the following day.
Patrick promptly sent for Jessie, who was still living in Nanango with her parents.
He again disregarded orders from the Commissioner regarding privileges entitled to married men when he rented a house and moved in with Jessie and his new son.
After a few other unfortunate disciplinary actions over an extended period and a move to Port Douglas, Patrick (now with six children) was credited in 1911 for good work after arresting a murderer who had escaped from Innisfail lock up.
By this time, Patrick’s superiors started to think of him as a steady man, a good intelligent Constable who performed his duties to satisfaction, and a good all-round policeman who was thoroughly energetic and reliable, taking a keen interest in his work.
Unfortunately, Jessie became ill with fever and doctors suggested a drier climate.
Subsequently the Commissioner transferred Patrick to Mareeba for the health of his wife and within two months Patrick was transferred to Mount Garnet as officer in charge on November 11, 1911.
At Mount Garnet, Patrick was described as an efficient officer, a good citizen and an honourable and upright man.
After Patrick borrowed a quiet mare for work purposes, tragedy struck on October 8, 1913, when he was returning home.
The saddle on McCabe’s mare slipped around her withers, causing the horse to buck and throwing Patrick over her head to crash heavily to the ground.
A doctor was sent for from a neighbouring town and Patrick was taken to the hospital, bleeding from the nose, mouth and ears.
Sadly, about two and a half hours later – and with Jessie by his side – he died.
Constable Patrick McCabe left a widow and six children ranging in age from 5 to 14 years.
Jessie moved back to Nanango to be with her ageing parents and, after applying to the Commissioner, was granted one year’s pay, receiving £173.7s.6d.
The Queensland Police Force also paid for Constable McCabe’s burial in Mount Garnet.
