Constable Robert Rankin
Chatham Police Service
Ontario
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 25, 1893

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: Not available
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Constable Robert Rankin and Constable Peter Dezelia both of the Chatham Police joined County Constable Alex McDonald in the search for a suspect, which lead them to the small hamlet of Jericho in Raleigh Township.

The local area men who had gathered together forming a posse had already beaten a blackman, who had relations with a young white girl. A larger crowd was collecting in Chatham arming them to search for and lynch another man.

The three officers went to the suspects father's home late at night. They were met them at the front of the house. McDonald tried to talk with the suspect, to give himself up. The suspect not knowing the men were police fired at them, with a revolver. Constable Rankin went behind the building attempting to sneak up behind him but was surprised, meeting the suspects two brothers, who were armed with an axe and hoe. The brothers attacked Constable Rankin who was unarmed.

Constable Dezelia ran to the cries for help from Rankin and fired his revolver at the two brothers. His weapon jammed, as he ran after the two. The suspect finding Constable Rankin down began to club him about the head as he lay on the ground.

Both Constable's McDonald and Dezelia left the property to call for reinforcements from Chatham. County Constable T.R. Coogan (who was also a blackman) later arrested the three brothers. They were tried and sentenced to prison in Kingston for manslaughter.

Constable Rankin had 6 years service with the Chatham Police Service.

At the time of his death Constable Rankin was survived by his wife and one child.