Case Studies
Dave Powell
Back in the hot, dry summer of 1976, Constable Dave Powell of West Midlands Police was sitting in the back seat of a police car travelling at between 60-70 miles an hour on one of the few days that it rained heavily that year. At the time he was on a senior driving course. The instructor was in the front passenger seat, his heavily built colleague was sitting in the rear seat with Dave and the other student was driving. All the Officers had their seat belts on...read the full story.
John Alcock
In August 2003 Constable John Alcock, a Royalty Protection Officer with Grampian Police, was being driven to Balmoral where the Prince of Wales was due to take up residence. There were three officers in the car, John was the front-seat passenger. The police car collided with another car coming in the opposite direction being driven by an Italian on the wrong side of the road. The Italian's car mounted the verge and landed on top of John trapping him in the police car...read the full story.
Dan Coffill
Metropolitan officer, PC Dan Coffill, was enjoying a night out with friends at a night club in Bromley, Kent in July 2005. As they were leaving the club, they were asked by a group of young menfor a light for their cannabis joints. When they refused, they were spat on. Dan was about put himself on duty to arrest them and was rewarded with a heavy punch to the side of the head, which put him down, followed by a kick to the head. He lost consciousness immediately...read the full story.
Michael was attacked whilst conducting a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, was 'high' on drugs and attacked Michael with a knife cutting his throat and severing a tendon in his hand. The Trust has been able to assist by purchasing a house for Michael to live in enabling him to have his daughter to stay and start to rebuild his shattered life.
David was injured on more than one occasion during his service, whilst out at an alarm a wall fell on him and he was later attacked by a prisoner. He is now disabled. The Trust has been able to assist with putting an extension on his home for a wet room and with the purchase of a mobility scooter.
Clarice is an 86-year-old widow whose husband was shot dead in July 1959 by a criminal he had arrested. Very alert, but increasingly immobile following a minor stroke and a fall, Clarice appreciates the assistance offered by the Trust in the form of an annual maintenance grant and further assistance with general living expenses.
Alan is a serving officer awaiting a decision regarding being medically retired following a horrific road accident in which he broke his back amongst other serious injuries. He is now paralysed from the chest down. The Trust was able to make a grant to cover the costs of major adaptations to his home, which included the conversion of a garage into a special bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and with the widening of all doors for wheelchair access.
Mary retired 18 years ago after sustaining very severe injuries in an on-duty RTA. Her mobility continues to diminish and it is feared that her condition has become degenerative. The Trust gave Mary a grant for the purchase of suitable vehicle equipped with adaptations such as a hoist and an electric wheelchair to fit the vehicle.
Samuel was an officer who suffered serious head and chest injuries as a result of an assault in 1944. He died as a result of these injuries. The Trust has been able to support his widow with general living expenses, and this year the purchase of a small car.
John was involved in the arrest of an extremely violent prisoner. During the struggle he was struck in the chest. He was examined by the FMO and at the hospital. He was discharged from hospital and returned home. He went to bed still feeling unwell and died in his sleep. During the year the Trust have been able to assist his son with general living expenses.
Derek was murdered whilst attempting to arrest three men at the scene of a robbery. The Trust has been able to assist his widow and children with a holiday.
Please pass on my thanks to the Police Dependants' Trust for their kind cheque. It really helps. Thank you.
