Tribute to gunned down police officer

ON August 18th in 1909, a Gorleston police officer was murdered while on duty - shot by a drunken husband.Tomorrow (Tuesday), at noon, a wreath laying ceremony will take place at the grave of Pc Charles Alger - who is believed to be the only Norfolk officer murdered on duty.

ON August 18th in 1909, a Gorleston police officer was murdered while on duty - shot by a drunken husband.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), at noon, a wreath laying ceremony will take place at the grave of Pc Charles Alger - who is believed to be the only Norfolk officer murdered on duty.

The wreath laying ceremony at Gorleston cemetery will be attended by Police Superintendent Jim Smerdon and retired and serving police officers, along with representatives from the National Association of Retired Police Officers and Norfolk Constabulary's Historical Society.

A short service will be conducted by the Rev Irene Knowles.

Pc Alger left a widow and four children aged under 10.

When the incident took place, the police station was at 92 High Street, which was only a 300-400 yard walk to St Andrews Road (off Church Road opposite Gorleston Parish Church). The road and houses are still there.

After the death, a fund was set up and very quickly �300 was raised which eventually reached just over �400.

As a widow, Mrs Alger received �15 a year pension with �2.50 for each child a year until they reached the age of 15.