Constable Geoffrey H. Ashton
British Columbia Provincial Police
British Columbia
End of Watch: Thursday, March 28, 1912

Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 2153

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, March 19, 1912
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Executed in 1912

Constable Geoffrey Ashton succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained nine days earlier while transporting two prisoners to a court hearing in Kelowna.

They were aboard the S.S. Okanagan when one of the man asked to have his handcuffs removed so he could have a glass of water. When Constable Ashton complied with the request the man pulled out a concealed .22 caliber handgun and shot him in the head.

The two prisoners disembarked the boat in Peachland. A short time later the wounded Constable Ashton was discovered. He was taken to a hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wound.

The man who shot him was arrested, convicted of Constable Ashton's murder, and hanged on August 9, 1912.

Constable Ashton had served with the British Columbia Provincial Police for nine years and had previously served with the Northwest Mounted Police for five years.