William CONROY

Senior Constable William Conroy was transferred to Thursday Island in 1886. He became a well-respected officer. On 1 July 1895 Amelia Tinyana went to Thursday Island Police Station and complained to Sub-Inspector Urquhart that her husband had beaten her. That evening Conroy reported to Sergeant McCreery that Tinyana was a quiet and reasonable man and that there were no grounds for arresting him.

On the 2^nd a summons was served on Tinyana and Urquhart gave instructions that police should keep an eye on him. On the evening of the 2nd Tinyana went to Mrs Boyd's house, where his wife was staying, demanding to know her whereabouts. Andrew Boyd told him to go away or he would call the police. A short time later Boyd heard someone trying to break in through the back door. Mrs Tinyana jumped out of the bedroom window, ran to Smyth's Hotel and found Senior Constable Conroy. Boyd returned to his mother's house and locked the doors. He let Mrs Tinyana and Conroy in when they arrived. Boyd then left by the front door but forgot to lock it.

Conroy and Mrs Tinyana were in the backyard when Tinyana ran through the house and out towards them wielding a knife. He attacked his wife and she sustained a deep wound to her arm. After which she ran back through the house and out onto the street. Ten minutes later Conroy and his prisoner came out through the front of the house, both looked exhausted as they staggered into the front garden.

Constable Clines arrived and ran up to Conroy who handed the prisoner to him and said, “My God, is that you? Take this fellow, I must lie down, He has killed me” and then collapsed. Senior Constable William Conroy had been stabbed seven times and could not be saved. He died at 10.30pm on 2 July 1895. After a lengthy trial Frank Tinyana pleaded guilty, was sentenced to death and was executed on 4 November 1895.