At about 9pm on 2nd of March 1955, Constable McManus and Constable Thompson were off duty when they observed a Richard Morris, who was known to them, driving a truck erratically on the Northwest Coastal Highway, Northampton, a short time later they stopped the vehicle on Gwalla St, Northampton.  

As both officers walked towards the truck, Morris removed a rifle from his truck shooting Constable McManus in the chest at close range, Constable Thompson grabbed Morris and wrestled the firearm from him, but Morris escaped when Constable Thompson tended to Constable McManus, who died at the scene. 

Morris was later captured and convicted of the murder of Constable McManus; he was sentenced to death but was later commuted to 23 years in prison.Constable McManus was given a
Police funeral with full honours.