Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Vanston, who had a little over two weeks service with the RIC, was shot dead early in the morning as he left his home in Dublin Road, Maryborough, Queen’s County, when a man on a bicycle rode up, dismounted and fired two shots at the officer.
The bullets penetrated William’s lungs, killing him almost immediately.
Constable Vanston’s family had a long history of serving with the Constabulary. His late father had achieved the rank of Head Constable, his uncle was a District Inspector serving in Dublin while his cousin served at Brown Square Barracks in Belfast.
William left a wife and two young children.
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- 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.
Constable Vanston served with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Vanston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William Vanston 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 L, 592 of 749 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 79% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Irish Constabulary, 519 of 642 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Vanston's cause is highlighted.
How William Vanston Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Vanston is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
641 officers from Royal Irish Constabulary are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
