Bro. John Roche McCowen (1843-1908), a founding member of Twillingate Lodge, became commanding officer of the Newfoundland Constabulary in 1895, and was the first member of the force to hold the rank of Inspector General. Bro. McCowan played a major role in reorganizing the Constabulary and in founding the St. John’s Fire Department. Inspector General McCowan established a police brass band and a detective branch of the force. Born in County Limerick, he served in the British Army and Royal Irish Constabulary before immigrating to Newfoundland. Bro. McCowan helped to dedicate Twillingate Lodge in 1889, having taken a demit from Avalon Lodge No. 776 to become a joining member of the new craft.