Roll of Honor
Incident
PC Byrnes was shot in the head and fatally wounded after a violent struggle in Unthank Road, Plumpton, when, unarmed and knowing that other officers had already been shot, he confronted and, alone, attempted to arrest three armed men who were wanted for a burglary at Netherby Hall near Arthuret.
Three months later, the three men were found guilty of PC Byrnes’ murder and sentenced to death. They were hanged in Carlisle on 8th February 1886.
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BO-GB-CWC-FCA7C247- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Constable Byrnes served with the Cumberland & Westmorland 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
Police Constable Joseph Byrnes is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cumberland & Westmorland Constabulary, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Byrnes's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Byrnes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Byrnes is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cumberland & Westmorland Constabulary are honored on badge.nw.
