John MacPhee joined the City of Glasgow Police and was posted to the ‘D’ (Southern) Division.
On 9 September 1972, Constable MacPhee was along with Constable David Peterson when they were informed of a fire on the eighth floor of a multi-storey building in the Gorbals area of the city. They went immediately to the building and made their way to the eighth floor and, despite choking smoke, began warning residents to evacuate the building.
Both officers were overcome by the thick smoke and collapsed. Fire Service personnel found them on the landing and tried to revive them. They were successful in reviving Constable MacPhee but Constable Peterson died.
Constable MacPhee was commended by the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Glasgow Corporation Bravery Medal. Constable Peterson’s family receive his posthumous award of the Glasgow Corporation Bravery Medal.
