Roll of Honor
Incident
Head Constable Dempsey was on foot patrol at Queens Quay, Londonderry inspecting Constable Edward Corr who was on duty in the area. A conversation took place between the two officers which was described as ordinary and not peculiar by witnesses.
A Harbour Constable who had also spoken to Corr observed when the Head Constable was about ten paces moving away, saw Constable Corr draw his service pistol and shoot at the officer. Thomas Dempsey was shot several times and fell to the ground. Constable Corr then turned the weapon on himself and shot himself in the head. The Harbour Constable found both officers had died.
He was married with two daughters. He had previously joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1913 before transferring to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The reason for the shooting was never established at the Inquest.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-RUC-E71ACB87- Stewardship
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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.
Head Constable Dempsey served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Head Constable Dempsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Head Constable Thomas Dempsey 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. Thomas Dempsey's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Dempsey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Dempsey is highlighted in Jun.
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.
