Neil McLeod (c.1846 – 30 July 1890) was a Constable of the

New Zealand Police The New Zealand Police ( mi, Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa) is the national police service and principal law enforcement agency of New Zealand, responsible for preventing crime, enhancing public safety, bringing offenders to justice, and maintai ...

. He was shot and killed while aboard the steamer ''Minnie Casey'' at Mangawhare Wharf (near

Dargaville Dargaville ( mi, Takiwira) is a town located in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Kaipara District of the Northland region. The town is located 55 kilometres southwest of Whangārei. ...

) by gum-digger Henry Funcke. McLeod, his wife and family were travelling to

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

, having boarded the steamer at Dargaville. Funcke also came aboard at Dargaville, with a gun, a concealed revolver and a knife. Funcke was very noisy during the trip, and the captain of the ''Minnie Casey'' took away his gun. Just after the steamer left Mangawhare Wharf, he threatened to shoot some of the passengers if he did not get his gun back. The steamer put back to Mangawhare Wharf, and Constables McLeod and Scott took Funcke ashore. From the shore Funcke once more demanded his gun as the ''Minnie Casey'' left again, and fired five shots at the departing steamer. Standing at the railing, McLeod was hit in the heart by the third shot. He exclaimed "My God" and died. The steamer returned to Dargaville, where McLeod's body was taken off. A group of settlers armed themselves with rifles and, led by Constables Scott and Carr, walked back to Mangawhare Wharf in pursuit. The group found Funcke still at the wharf, demanded he surrender, and fired a blank shot. Funcke lifted up his hands as if to fire and was shot twice, in the groin and chest. He fell, and was arrested. He was reportedly a 'maniac' and had been drinking before the incident. McLeod's body was taken to Auckland for burial.

References

External links

New Zealand Police Memorial Page
1840s births 1890 deaths Deaths by firearm in New Zealand Male murder victims New Zealand police officers People murdered in New Zealand {{NewZealand-crime-bio-stub