Immigration Officer William C. Hopkinson
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Federal
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 21, 1914

Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, October 21, 1914
Incident Location: British Columbia
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

William C. Hopkinson was stationed in British Columbia at the time of his death. He had been an Immigration Inspector for 8 years after retiring as a Police inspector in India.

He was waiting outside the BC Provivial Assize court to give evidence when he was approached by a man. The man drew two revolvers from his jacket and fired once, point blank, into Inspector Hopkinson's chest. Inspector Hopkinson fell to his knees, got up and attempted to grapple with him. The man fired again, this time hitting Inspector Hopkinson in the heart, killing him. The man then fired three more shots into Inspector Hopkinson's prone body and turned to flee. He was grabbed by court janitor James Mcann, who was able to overpower him. Vancouver Police detectives quickly arrived and immediately took the man to the court jail. The suspect asked them "Is he dead?" "Yes" he was told. "Then I am glad" he replied.

Inspector Hopkinson had recently given testimony favorable to another party who was an enemy of the suspect. The suspect was convicted and hanged for the murder.

At the time of his death Inspector Hopkins was survived by his wife and two small children.