Roll of Honor
Incident
As a Reserve Constable, when not carrying out his police duties, John worked at his shop premises in Nelson Drive, Londonderry.
He was serving customers by the door of his shop when two masked gunmen appeared outside. Seeing them coming, he tried to lock the shop door but a bullet fired through the glass wounded him and he fell to the ground. The terrorists then pushed the door open and shot him again.
He is survived by his wife and their two sons.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and their two sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-RUC-AD7CCCCB- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Reserve Constable Olphert served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Constable Olphert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Reserve Constable John Robinson Olphert is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NIR, 422 of 599 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.5% of this state's fallen. That is 16.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, 351 of 469 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Robinson Olphert's cause is highlighted.
How John Robinson Olphert Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Robinson Olphert is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
468 officers from Royal Ulster Constabulary GC are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
