The Sun. — 1856-12-24 (London, England)

AWFUL MURDER AT BIRKENHEAD.  LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.  It is with much regret that we have to report the commission of another awful murder, perpetrated this morn. ing in the township of Birkenhead. The victim on this occasion met with his death while in discharge of his duty, and in its execution he was acting towards the ruffian who hurried him into eternity in the most humane and len►ent manner. Indeed there caonot be any palliation for the atrocious deed. The particulars, as at present ascertained, are as follow :  It appears that at a quarter before one this morning, Thomas Smith and Michael Breen, two young men, dock labourers, residing at 9, Eldon-place, Birkenhead, went to the publio-house in Chester-street kept by Mrs. Softly, and knocked at the door in a very boisterous manner. Mrs. Softly asked who was there, when the two men demanded to be served with some drink, which was refuted them, however, and after making consider. able disturbance they went to the next door, a beer hoase, kept by Mrs. Carr, and there Smith kicked in the panels of the door. Mrs. Softly, hearing the disturbance, sent her man servant out by the back door to fetch a policeman ; and the deceased man, Vaughan, No. 3, was brought to the spot, and led the men away down the street. When in Bridgestreet, police-officer Whitehead came up, and Vaughan having told him what the prizoners Lad done, asked them their names. Smith at once showed fight, and Whitehead saw him strike his brother officer several times. Iu a moment poor Vaughan cried out, " He's got a knife. I'm done, I'm done I" and fell down in the street. Smith then ran away, but he had not got many yards when Policeman Clarke coming up from the opposite direction, took him into custAly, Whitehead having the other prisoner Breen in his charge. A. struggle with Smith ensuoi, and after a severe fight the fellows were taken to Bridewell, when it was found that Smith had a very severe wound between the forefinger and thumb of his right hand, caused no doubt by the shutting of the knife with which he killed the officer Vaughan. Ou returning to the place where the murder was committed, close to a pool of blood was discovered a large pocket. knife, the blade of which was covered with blood, and this knife is identified as belonging to the prisoner Smith. A shandry, in which some persons had keen brought down from Billiton to Woodside Ferry, approachtd the scene of the murder, and into this vehicle Whitehead put his injured brother officer, and bad him conveyed to the police-station, where Dr. Jeannette, the police surgeon, was very promptly in attendance, and rendered every aid possible to save the life of the sufferer ; but medical skill was of no avail, for Vaughan died at a quarter to three, three quarters of an hour after his arrival at the police station, and without say ing a word. The wound of which he died was just below the heart. Superintendent Birnie, who used every effort to alleviate the poor fellow's distress, informs us that he died without a groan. Vaughan was 25 years of age, stood feet 1 inch, was of a very spare habit of body, and had been in the Birkenhead force since October, 1853, having come over from the Irish constabulary to join it. He was a very promising young officer, remarkably civil to everybody, and amst conscientious in the discharge of his duties. We regret to state that he has left, totally unprovided for, an aged widowed mother, and a sister who has been much afflicted for many years. He was their main support.