New memorial for officer murdered 113 years ago

18 July 2025

A remembrance ceremony for a Sussex police officer who was murdered on duty 113 years ago was held at Ocklynge Cemetery in Eastbourne today (18 July).

A newly restored headstone for Inspector Arthur Walls’ grave was unveiled at the ceremony, as the original headstone had deteriorated significantly over the past century.

Sussex Police Federation and the force both donated funds to enable the restoration work to be carried out. The Friends of Ocklynge Cemetery organised the restoration, which was done by a local stonemasons, Tookey Memorials.

Back in October 1912, Inspector Walls was a Parade Inspector for Eastbourne Borough Police and working alone when he attended reports of a residential burglary. Countess Sztáray was leaving her home in a carriage when her coachman spotted a man breaking into the bedroom window via a balcony.

When Insp Walls arrived at the scene, he called up to the intruder to come down, but the man shot him twice with a revolver. The first shot hit him in the chest, and as he staggered back into the road, another hit him in the leg. He died at the scene.

Insp Walls was 44 years old and married with three children. He was described by the local press as being genial and kind towards his colleagues and the public.

He was buried at Ocklynge Cemetery on 16 October 1912. It was a huge funeral with a procession through the town centre and a police guard of honour walking the route behind the hearse. The people of Eastbourne were deeply affected by the murder, and raised over £600 for Insp Walls’ widow, who was also granted a pension by the town council.

Attending the ceremony today were dignitaries including the Mayor of Eastbourne. The Chair of the Friends of Ocklynge Cemetery, Kevin Gordon (a retired British Transport Police officer), led the ceremony, and Sussex Police Federation Chair Raffaele Cioffi and T/Assistant Chief Constable Rosie Ross unveiled the new headstone.

The Friends of Ocklynge Cemetery carry out regular tours and talks for the public and Insp Walls’ grave is one of the notable talking points. Kevin Gordon has also written a book, ‘Murders and Misdemeanours of Eastbourne’, which will be published later this year and includes a chapter about Insp Walls.