charles william litchfield served ten years in the police, rising to inspector rank and overall command of the adelaide metropolitan police. then, after a short illness, he died on 25 august 1850, aged 47 years, leaving a widow and nine children. his death was not without public controversy. inspector litchfield was highly esteemed but not wealthy. many prominent citizens felt great sympathy for his widow and family. police connections as well as members of his oddfellows lodge rapidly raised a considerable endowment. this was offered as a managed trust, rather than an outright gift, but it was refused by the widow on grounds that she wished to control her own financial destiny. the refusal of this charitable gesture caused many donors to become so indignant that they retracted their contribution.