Detective Lawrence Short, PC#357

Appointed 1946, Fallen Feb 9th, 1962

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native Lawrence Woodrow Short was often described as quiet, nice, and easy going. He joined the VPD as a Uniform Constable after the Second World War in 1946 and quickly advanced to the General Detective branch. 

On the morning of February 9th, 1962, Detectives Short and Galbraith arrived at the Bayshore Inn to investigate the use of a reported stolen New York credit card. Leaving Galbraith with the car, Short along with hotel assistant Manager Laurence Kingston and Pan-Am Airlines Paul Egley (who made the report), confronted the guest “John McGeachie” in his room. The man, later identified as Eric Lifton, became hostile after being told he was to accompany Short to the station. Lifton pulled a gun and ordered the three men to lay on the floor. Short fired at Lifton, hitting him on the belt buckle. Lifton returned fire, killing both Short and Kingston, wounded Egley. Lifton escaped in a passing taxi, taking as hostage Constable Galbraith. As the cab drove off, Galbraith tackled and disarmed Lifton.

Eric Lifton confessed to stealing the New York credit card from a Puerto Rico hotel and was convicted of murdering Detective Larry Short and Laurence Kingston. He was sentenced to hang on July 31st, 1962. Four days before his execution his sentence was reduced to life by the Federal Justice Minister after consultation with the Prime Minister. After several years in Kingston Penitentiary, Lifton was deported back to his Native US where he served out the rest of his sentence. He went on to obtain a Law Degree in prison and became a lawyer on being paroled.