Roll of Honor
Incident
PC Couchman and a colleague were called to quell a disturbance at a house in Paper Alley, off Bridge Street, in the Charlton area of Dover. The house was occupied by several men, including a father and his five sons. Some of the men were prize-fighters, sweeps and poachers, and on entering the property the two officers were immediately attacked.
Samuel’s colleague was soon knocked down and in going to his assistance PC Couchman was also struck, kicked and stamped on.
One of the prize-fighters then struck Samuel across the face with a broom handle with a piece of metal attached to it, causing severe lacerations to the officer’s nose and cheek. He died soon after.
Although he’d only served a few months with the police, Samuel had previously served more than twenty-six years in the Royal Marines, receiving a silver medal for good conduct.
He was buried in St. James’ Churchyard, Dover, and left a wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-DBP-765FE60E- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
182 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Constable Couchman served with the Dover Borough Police.
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 Samuel Couchman 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 Dover Borough Police, 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Couchman's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Couchman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Couchman is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Dover Borough Police are honored on badge.nw.
