Help needed with a London policeman

[TROOPER ROLLO]

I recently found out I had a London policeman on my family tree.
John Smith was my mother's grandfather who was born in Hingham, Norfolk in 1837, the son of
John and Susan Smith. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Graves at Woodrising, Norfolk and they subsequently had a son called Charles Smith in 1859. There were 2 more children listed as Smiths'.
Joseph in 1861 and Alice Maud in 1869. Elizabeth then married John Nelson in 1876 in Norwich, Norfolk. Elizabeth Nelson then gave birth to William Nelson in 1878.
The next place I found him was in the 1861 census working as a policeman with the number 74 F?.
Family stories tell of him being pulled from his horse in a riot at Hyde Park and dying.
I don't know what to make of such a story but I do know he is not listed on then police site for officers dying on duty. I have been told he died in 1864-9 or 1866 but am not sure.

Where should I look for service papers or a photo of him. Any suggestions very welcome.
I am very sorry for the very common name. I know this doesn't help.

[ShaunJ]

See https://fomphc.com/research/

https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/met-museums-archives/family-and-local-history/

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/london-metropolitan-police-british-transport-police-railway-police/

[AntonyMMM]

He was probably in the Metropolitan Police ( although there are other possibilities - City, Railway etc.) If Met, you may find a record of joining/attestation and possibly leaving, but beyond that there will be very little if anything. But those records are largely available to download(free) from the TNA website.

Given how common his name was, you should use other records (BMD, census etc) to try and narrow down when he may have joined.

74F will be a collar number - which may help identify him, although the warrant number, which you don't have, is the unique identifier used in the records.

 There wont be a service record, nor any photograph in his police records.

[TROOPER ROLLO]

Thanks for the advice.
I will see what I can find although I am not hopeful with such a common name.

[rosie99]

What does this birth certificate say about her father 

SMITH, ALICE  MAUD     mmn GRAVES 
GRO Reference: 1869  Sept Quarter in NORWICH  Volume 04B  Page 138

[CaroleW]

Sons Charles & Joseph are with Greaves/Graves grandparents in 1871

In 1871 - Elizabeth Smith - married - occ dressmaker - & daughter Maude aged 1 are living in Norfolk at a different address

[CaroleW]

NELSON, WILLIAM  HORATIO      mmn SMITH     
GRO Reference: 1877  J Quarter in NORWICH  Volume 04B  Page 130

Elizabeth appears to have given her married name as her maiden name

[rosie99]

NELSON, WILLIAM  HORATIO      mmn SMITH     
GRO Reference: 1877  J Quarter in NORWICH  Volume 04B  Page 130

Elizabeth appears to have given her married name as her maiden name

I wonder whether she stated she was a widow when she married John Nelson

[Stanwix England]

I had a look through the historic newspapers, and I couldn't find anything about a John Smith, policeman, dying in the line of duty in the 1860s.

I did find another story about a John Smith policeman, getting into trouble for theft, but that man was 28 in 1867, so likely too young to be your John Smith. And as you say, such a common name, it would be hard to be certain it was him anyway. Also, he seemed to be living in police quarters, which I don't think a married man would be doing.