Relatives of a Highland-born policeman murdered while on duty abroad more than a century ago are being invited to a ceremony in his honour.
A distant relative in Canada who shares his surname of Main is keen to hear from any of the officer’s descendants who may have a Nairn or Moray connection.
Alexander “Sandy” Main, a former fisherman, was killed in 1900.
He has previously been posthumously honoured.
His name features on a British Columbia law enforcement memorial in Victoria on Vancouver Island.
September’s event will be at Stanley Park in Vancouver. The regular ceremony rotates between the two cities.
Distant relatives living in Canada and touched by the recognition are keen for others to know about it.
Canada’s police fraternity also wants relatives to share an official recognition of his memory by joining the service on September 25.
Mr Main, a married man, had emigrated to Canada around 1889.
According to newspaper reports at the time, he was killed at the age of 35 while a senior officer investigating a case of theft at a farm on the outskirts of Vancouver.
His body was found several days later by a colleague and close friend.
He had been buried along with his dog in a shallow grave.
Three suspects were arrested. One reportedly died in jail from tuberculosis. Another was released in turn for crown evidence. The third was convicted of murder and hanged.
Donna Main, a descendant of a branch of Sandy’s family emanating from Hopeman in Moray and now living in Canada, said: “We’d like to trace Sandy’s relatives and make this a special day.
“It would be so nice to remember him and his ultimate sacrifice to my country.”
Research has established that Mr Main was from Nairn and part of a large family.
Judging by a 19th century census, his immediate family and possibly cousins lived in the town’s Society Street.
It is believed the family has subsequently spread its wings as far afield as Australia and Canada.
Donna can be contacted via e-mail at donnaemain@gmail.com.
