National Police Remembrance Day services were created to honour and remember police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty. Picture AAP / David Clark.

Senior Constable Desmond Trannore honoured with community memorial site in Gordonvale

Emma Cam

2 min read·September 27, 2024 - 6:18PM

The Cairns Post

Caught in the middle of a domestic violence dispute at a farm on Brays Road, Little Mulgrave, Senior Constable Desmond Trannore’s final act was to shout “run for your lives” as he collapsed next to his police car and the crack of a gunshot whipped through the valley.

Constable Trannore had been struck in chest with a bullet from a .310 rifle on the evening of October 26, 1964, as he attempted to assist a mother and her two children from a brutal beating by John Thomas Verney.

The bullet pierced his heart and despite the mother’s frantic efforts to stop the bleeding with the policeman’s notebook, Constable Trannore died a short time later.

At the time of his death, Senior Constable Desmond Trannore was survived by his wife Colleen and their three children. Picture: Supplied.

With no police radios equipped in his service vehicle at the time, the officer was unable to call for assistance and Verney fled the scene.

A major police search, which involved hundreds of on and off-duty police officers along with community volunteers, soon got under way.

The following morning on October 27, 1964, Verney turned himself in at the Cairns Police Station with a local solicitor.

He was charged with wilful murder and stood trial a few months later in the locality of Mulgrave, where he was found guilty of the murder of Constable Trannore and was sentenced to life in prison.

Funeral march of 200 police officers from St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Gordonvale, to the Gordonvale Cemetery for Senior Constable Desmond Trannore, 1964. Picture: Supplied.

Now, in a heartfelt tribute, a community memorial honouring Constable Trannore’s service and bravery, will be unveiled on Sunday, September 29, marking the 60th anniversary of his death.

David Cannon, chair of the organising committee and author of “Run for your lives”, a book about Constable Trannore’s life, said the officer was “highly regarded” in the Gordonvale community.

“He was active in the sporting area and he also coached local children in Gordonvale in sport and in boxing at the National Fitness League,” he said. The Queensland Police posthumously awarded three medals to Constable Trannore in January 2024, which were received by his widow Colleen Trannore.

He was recognised with the Blue Heart Medal – awarded to officers seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, the Queensland Police Valour Medal, and the Queensland Police Service Medal, recognising long service and good conduct.

In addition, the bridge over the Mulgrave River in Gordonvale was named the Desmond Trannore Bridge in 2009.

Queensland Police Superintendent Nick O’Brien said he strongly encouraged people to go down and be a part of the day to acknowledge the dedication and duty the officer gave.

“It’s good that his memory hasn’t been lost and that it’s been 60 years and we’re still acknowledging his service,” he said.

Those wishing to honour Constable Trannore’s memory, can attend the memorial unveiling this Sunday at at 3pm in Norman Park, Gordonvale, opposite the old Gordonvale Police Station.

The community initiative was organised by the Mulgrave Shire Historical Society, Cairns Regional Council, along with various local community groups, and coincides with National Police Remembrance Day, which was held in Cairns on Friday.

The annual tradition began in 1989 to honour and remember police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

Constable Trannore is buried in the Gordonvale Cemetery.

Verney only served seventeen years before being released on parole.

He died in 2017 in East Lismore aged 78.

emma.cam@news.com.au