Chief Constable Malcolm MacLennan, PC#15

Appointed May 1901, Fallen March 20th, 1917

By 1917 the VPD had 250 officers protecting 100,000 citizens with Malcolm Maclennan as Chief Constable. Maclennan was a natural leader known for his forward-thinking and popularity among his officers and the public. 

On March 20, 1917, Frank Smith, owner of 522 East Georgia, called the VPD to aid in the eviction of two tenants who had become violent; Robert 'Bob' Tait and his girlfriend, Frankie Russell. Both assailants were well known for petty crimes in the city. Upon arrival, Constable John Cameron and one other officer were met with Tait’s gunfire, Cameron losing an eye during the exchange. Tait then began shooting randomly out his window, killing eight-year-old George Robb.

Learning of the situation, MacLennan joined Deputy Chief Bill McRae, Inspector John Jackson, George McLaughlin, Detectives Joe Ricci and Donald Sinclair as the backup. 

After failed negotiations, Chief Constable MacLennan entered the building. He believed in never sending a man where he wouldn’t go. As he reached the apartment, Tait stepped out from around a corner and shot Maclennan in the chest killing him instantly. Risking his own life, Detective Ricci crawled to the Chief’s body and pulled him from the line of fire.

The shootout continued for several hours until suddenly the building became quiet. Upon entering the room where the assailants were held-up, they found that Tait had killed himself with a shotgun to the head and Russell under his body. Frankie Russell was charged as an accomplice to the two murders but was later acquitted.