The family of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty gathered to remember their beloved son and brother on the 44th anniversary of his death.
PC Christopher McDonald was only 19-years-old when he lost his life bravely trying to apprehend multiple burglary suspects in Worksop.
His relatives gathered at his memorial stone today (Tuesday 17 May) at Nottinghamshire Police and Fire Joint Headquarters to remember the brave young officer’s life.
Supported by Assistant Chief Constable Steven Cooper and representatives from the Nottinghamshire Police Federation, PC McDonald’s family laid a memorial wreath in his memory.
Assistant Chief Constable Cooper said: “PC McDonald made the ultimate sacrifice in his heroic attempts to uphold the law and bring criminals to justice.
“More than four decades later we are proud to gather on this day every year to remember a life and a policing career cut so tragically short.
“Whilst much has changed in officer safety since the 1970s, what happened on this day 44 years ago should still serve as a reminder about the potential dangers all police officers face when they go out on patrol to serve and protect the public.”
PC McDonald was killed on 17 May 1978 as he was on night patrol in Worksop. After coming across a break-in at a jewellers’ shop, he bravely confronted a gang of offenders before giving chase.
In a subsequent struggle with a suspect, the young officer suffered serious head injuries and his body was found the following day.
Twenty-year-old Albert Loveday was later convicted of his murder and was jailed for life.
In 1980, PC McDonald was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
On this day last year, a new memorial stone to PC McDonald was unveiled outside Worksop Library after a successful public fundraising campaign by a local officer.
All other officers who died in the line of duty are remembered in a memorial garden at Police and Fire Joint Headquarters.
