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Incident
Bludgeoned to death when he was set upon by two poachers while on patrol in the late evening, as he approached Folly Crossroads near Hungerford, where he had planned to meet Inspector Joseph Drewett, who also died after being shot in the neck and beaten.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Constable Shorter served with the Berkshire Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Berkshire Constabulary has lost 12 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 691 officers killed feloniously in ENG, 24.8% of the 2,786 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,170 officers killed feloniously in United Kingdom, 30.9% of the 3,791 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 2 officers at Berkshire Constabulary were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1876, 6 officers in ENG were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 147.
In 1876, 6 officers in United Kingdom were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 216 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 167.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 24. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Berkshire Constabulary whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 39; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 24. Of the 620 killed feloniously in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Thomas was 24. Of the 1,048 killed feloniously in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Thomas was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 40% of these deaths at Berkshire Constabulary, more than any other month. Mondays: 40%.
December holds 10.3% of these deaths in ENG; May holds the most, 12.4%. Mondays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in United Kingdom; May holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Berkshire Constabulary, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 24.8% of all 2,786 deaths in ENG, the 3rd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 30.9% of all 3,791 deaths in United Kingdom, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Berkshire Constabulary has 12 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Charles Coleman May 16, 1866
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Joseph Drewett Dec 11, 1876
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Thomas Shorter Dec 11, 1876
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Charles Prior Jul 20, 1893
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John Joseph Charlton
Apr 4, 1899
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William Dennis Johnson Aug 11, 1939
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Leslie Horsfall Nov 24, 1939
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Stanley Shuff Nov 30, 1940
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Owen Dewey England Jul 25, 1941
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Francis John East Oct 4, 1944
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William John Payne Jul 7, 1949
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Thomas Anthony Hughes Dec 19, 1961
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Berkshire Constabulary are honored on badge.nw.
