William Herbert Turbitt
Constable

William Herbert Turbitt

Felonious
End of Watch June 17, 1978
Age 46
The Vigil Panel 209 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable Turbitt was shot and abducted by terrorists when he and Constable Hugh McConnell were ambushed while sitting in their patrol car at Sturgan Brae, overlooking Camlough Reservoir, County Armagh.

William’s body was found three weeks later, on 10th July, at a derelict border farm in Crossmaglen.

His colleague was shot dead during the ambush.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-GB-RUC-E4620D39
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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.
Constable Turbitt served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Turbitt.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location NIR
Platform Identity ruc.bfs.nir.gb.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 17, 1978
Age 46
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Homicide - Shot

Constable William Herbert Turbitt 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.

Royal Ulster Constabulary GC
351
of 469 officers
74.8% Felonious
NIR — Statewide
422
of 599 officers
70.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Herbert Turbitt's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How William Herbert Turbitt Compares

Age at End of Watch
46
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Herbert Turbitt is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518