Since 1814 nineteen police officers died while on duty. These were two Inspectors, two sergeants and fifteen constables. One of the constables was PC 201, Santo Cassar.

Santo suffered grievous injuries and was in danger of dying after being hit by a gun-shot while on duty on 1st August 1914 at 11.45pm in the main square of Zebbug, Gozo. He died later at the Victoria Hospital in Victoria, where we find today the Ministry for Gozo. PC Santo Cassar was the only police officer in Gozo who died after being severely injured by a gun-shot while on duty.

Santo was born on Sunday 24 November 1867 in Valletta. His parents were Giuseppe and Maria née Callus. His father was from Zejtun while his mother was from Valletta. He married in Malta and resided in St Ursola Street, Victoria.

On Saturday, 1 August 1914, he was on duty at Zebbug, Gozo. There are different versions as to who was supposed to be duty on that day, whether it should have been Santo himself, PC Salvatore Saliba or PC Francis Gatt. If these rumours were true, there is the possibility that Santo took over from PC Francis Gatt.

It is also stated that PC Francis Gatt was sitting on the stairs of the main village cross. He was among other residents and was dressed in civilian clothes. PC Salvatore Saliba was more involved on other duties like that of investigation than being stationed in a police station.

According to the recent information that I was given by his family members he was replacing another police officer.

At 11.40pm, Santo was speaking to Antonio Cini, a shopkeeper, who lived 25 metres away from the police station and Santo told him that he was going to close the station at midnight. Later Antonio Cini was opening the door to his house, and he heard a gunshot; when he looked back, he saw Santo lying on the ground.

A gun was discharged by an unknown person against him from a point on the left side of the square facing the church, which leads to a deep path known as ta' Ciccu.

Santo was taken into the police station and placed on a mattress. He was helped by several civilians among whom was Antonio Cini himself.

Inspector Carmelo Gauci with the help of PS P. Cassar, PC L. Camilleri and PC A. Spiteri started to investigate this case.

Magistrate Dr G. Cremona was duly informed of the happenings, and proceeded to take Santo’s deposition on oath at 12.45am, with Cassar claiming that 'he was on good terms with everybody and suspects no one'.

Constable S. Cassar was attended by Dr Tomaso Cauchi and Dr Nikola Tabone and by their order was taken to the Victoria Hospital at about 3.30am where he died at 4.50am at the age of 47. Santo’s father was still alive while his mother was death.

According to the documents found at the Gozo General Hospital he was assisted by the hospital chaplain and given the last sacraments. It was confirmed that the cause of death was due to Intrathorasic haemorrhage and oedema of the glottis.

An inquest on the spot was carried out the next day at 5pm where traces of pellets were found in a prickly pear tree. This prickly pear tree was on the other side of the square from where the firearm was discharged, in line with the main village cross.

His funeral was held on the same day of his death, Sunday 2 August, in the afternoon at the Gozo Cathedral. He was also buried at the Gozo Cathedral.

Magistrate Dr G. Cremona was duly informed, and held an inquest on the spot at 11.50pm.

One can question the fact of why Santo was left for three hours and forty five minutes, in the police station lying on a mattress before being taken to the Hospital. One has to note that the deposition on oath had already been taken one hour after the gun-shot and that the police were well prepared and in time at the scene of crime in a time when there were no cars and the means of transport was primitive.

It is interesting to note that the Victoria Hospital did not have a Casualty facility as is the case today. Although no documentations were found with regards to the management of the hospital in question 100 years ago - when this tragic accident happened - it can be noted that 60 years ago the door to the Victoria Hospital used to be closed during the night. Casualty service was only provided during the day from a place called Dressing. The Dressing was composed of two rooms used for basic needs including patient visits as that of today's Outpatients. If there was any need to be admitted to hospital during the night, which was very uncommon at the time, the patient or relative had to ring a bell and the hospital porter opened the door.

The events recounted above, tell the tragic story of the only police officer in Gozo who died because he was severely injured by a gun-shot while on duty. Now after 100 years from this tragic event, it is fitting that Police Constable 201 Santo Cassar should be remembered by a commemorative plaque erected at the location where the whole episode took place. This is to be remembered today Saturday, 2 August, at the same place that took place, at Zebbug 100 years ago. His Family should also be honoured with Gieh ir-Republica, as in the case of PC Roger Debattista’s.