Street name bid for Inverness police heroes Evan Lumsden and Iain Ritchie
A CALL has been made for streets to be named in commemoration of two Inverness heroes.
Former police sergeant Dave Conner (66) wants to see detective sergeant Evan Lumsden and constable Iain Ritchie formally recognised for giving their lives in the line of duty in 1968. They were the last two police officers who died while on duty in the Highlands.
Mr Conner, who is the secretary of the Highlands and Islands branch of the Retired Police Officers Association Scotland (RPOAS) said formal recognition of what they did for the community should be made, as it is “the right thing to do”.
Mr Conner said: “This Sunday sees the 51st anniversary of the deaths of two policemen who died while searching the Caledonian Canal near Fort William for a missing person.
“They were both policemen from Inverness. Detective sergeant Lumsden (30) was married with children, while constable Ritchie (19) was a single man, from the Black Isle, living with his mother and sisters.
“While diving, one of the men became snagged on something in the canal basin and the other went to help him – both were drowned.”
Mr Conner remembers the days following the incident. He said: “It was as though a dark cloud had descended across the Highlands. It was at a time when everyone knew everyone and their deaths were felt by the whole community.”
About six years ago Mr Conner was in Tomnahurich Cemetery when he saw the two constables’ graves. The men are buried side by side. Mr Conner then decided to hold an annual commemoration.
He continued: “As in previous years I intend to make my own personal tribute to these officers at their graves. It will be a fairly brief and informal tribute, at which I will be accompanied by Northern Constabulary Pipe Band pipers and a senior police officer.”
The commemoration service takes place at 1pm.
