Chief Supt Harry Breen was the divisional commander for H Division of the RUC, an area covering large parts of Armagh and south Down.
He had joined the force in 1957, served as a sergeant in Lurgan and as an inspector in Newry and Banbridge. He had become a superintendent in 1980 and reached his final rank in 1988, the year before his murder. Judge Cory reports he had an exemplary career, and was "a very well respected officer". He was "a deeply caring family man, devoted to his wife, June, and their two children (then aged 24 and 20) . . . he was a conscientious, talented and dedicated police officer . . ."
Supt Breen occupied "a difficult and dangerous post" as Border superintendent for H Division, responsible for cross-Border matters and liaising with the Garda. He joined the RUC in 1956, and rose through the ranks with postings at Omagh and RUC headquarters. Married to Catherine they had two children, aged 27 and 25 at the time of the murders. He too was "an outstanding officer" according to Judge Cory's report.