PC John Smith

• Served with Essex County Constabulary from 1 July 1842
• Died 28 December 1858

Police Constable John Smith was born in Kells, County Meath, Ireland in 1810.

Having worked as a labourer, John was married with four children when he joined Essex County Constabulary as a police constable in 1842.

We don’t know much about how John came to be in Essex, or his journey into policing. But we do know he spent at least two years working in Coggeshall from July 1848. And from May 1853 he was based in Great Wakering.

John sadly died when he drowned while on duty on 28 December 1858. He was 48-years-old.

He had served with the Constabulary for 16 years. One year’s salary was paid to John’s wife.