Constable Joseph Reilly, PC#181

By the start of the First World War, Joseph Reilly was 36 and living in Vancouver, having moved from his native Prince Edward Island. He became a Temporary Fourth Class Constable at the start of the War, a role given to men who took over police jobs from those who had gone to fight overseas. On June 4th, 1915 Reilly swore the oath of office and became a  permanent Constable with the VPD. By 1930 Reilly had had a long and successful VPD career and was looking forward to retirement in three years with his wife and five grown children. 

On November 27th, 1932, Constable Reilly and W. Oliver were on patrol in one of the new “police radio” cars, a privilege given to senior officers rather than being assigned to a walking beat.  Just after midnight, they responded to a call which sent them speeding down Burrard St. towards Smithe St. 

As they drove through the intersection of Burrard and W. Georgia, a speeding car ran the stop sign, colliding with the police car. Reilly was thrown from the car and onto the road incurring severe head and leg injuries. Oliver remained in the car, suffering only minor injuries as did the driver and passenger of the other vehicle. Reilly died on December 23rd, one month after the accident despite having been rushed to the hospital from the scene. Tragic deaths like Constable Reilly’s led to the installation of seat belts in all cars in Canada by the 1960s.