A dog show held to remember a brave police officer who lost his life in the line of duty is set to be the biggest and best yet.
Police Constable Ged Walker, a Nottinghamshire Police dog handler, was killed on duty doing the job he loved whilst trying to stop a stolen car in Bulwell in January 2003.
The 19th Ged Walker Memorial Dog Show will be held at West Park, Long Eaton, on Sunday 24 July 2022, and the community is being urged to go along, enjoy some stunning canine displays and honour PC Walker’s memory.
Jannet Wesley, who organises the event alongside her mother Janet Wesley and Sue Foreman, said it was likely to be the final ever memorial dog show.
“It remains as important as ever to remember PC Walker and what happened 19 years ago,” Jannet said.
“The dog and handler team are there to protect people and uphold the law and nobody should lose their life in the line of duty.
“Police dogs are so loyal to their handler. They come as one.”
Tracey Walker, Ged’s wife, said: “ I would like to thank Janet and her crew who have done a fantastic job in making the event such a brilliant day for everyone for all these years.”
Nottinghamshire Police will again be supporting the event, with Chief Constable Craig Guildford set to attend.
Mr Guildford said: “Ged’s exceptional bravery and dedication to duty will never be forgotten. He courageously put his life at risk to stop a dangerous criminal and events like the memorial dog show are an opportunity to remember his exceptional actions.”
Training staff from the force’s Dogs Section will be on hand to judge some of the prize categories and hopefully show off their skills with a display.
Inspector Tim Ringer, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It is an honour to support this long-running event which remembers PC Walker and the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty.
“The organisers pull out all the stops to make it a very special day.”
Gates open at 10am with judging under way from 12.30pm.
“Preparation is going really well and we really think it will be our best yet,” Jannet said.
The COPS charity (Care of Police Survivors) will also have a stall on the day for people to find out more, and there will be a host of other entertainment for the whole family.
