On 2nd of July 1899, Police Assistant Dickey, Constable O'Brien, Constable Farley and two Police Assistants, formed a search party to locate suspects after a man was killed at the Forrest River Mission, near Wyndham.

Constable O'Brien became ill, so he and Constable Farley remained on the boat and sent the Police Assistants to find the suspects and report back.

The Police Assistants returned to the police camp based at the Durack River, East Kimberley and as they relaxed by the campfire, they were attacked by a group of local men. During the attack, Police Assistant Dickey was speared through the heart and died instantly.  

Aboriginal Police Assistant Dickey was buried nearby.