Advertisement

PC Rathband's Twin Weeps At His Memorial

Memorial Service For PC Blinded By Moat

The twin brother of David Rathband, the policeman blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has given an emotional speech at the officer's memorial service in Newcastle.

Darren Rathband wept as he placed a hand on the coffin, which was draped in a union flag, covered with lilies and the PC's police cap.

He told the congregation: "David was my hero - not because he was shot, but because of how he got up. When he died, I lost half of me."

His final words, before leaving to drive the hearse carrying his brother's body on its journey to Staffordshire for the burial: "It's time to take my brother home."

Earlier, Mr Rathband had visited Etal Lane police station to symbolically clock off his brother from the shift he never completed on July 4 2010 when he was shot twice in the face by Moat.

Orange flowers laid next to the officer's coffin spelled out his call sign - Tango 190 - and his pallbearers were members of the emergency services.

His two children - Ashley, 19, and Mia, 13 - joined his brother in front of the door of St Nicholas's Cathedral ahead of the service.

In his eulogy, Mr Rathband, who has been critical of the Northumbria force in recent months for what he perceived as their lack of support for his brother, insisted his brother's legacy must continue through his Blue Lamp Foundation .

He said the work of the charity would be increasingly important against a backdrop of reductions in budgets and resources.

PC Rathband's biographer, Tony Horne, also made a speech in which he criticised the police.

"Unprecedented and testing circumstances I accept," said Mr Horne, "but I urge you now to tell the whole story of the mistakes that night and finally come forward and say publicly 'Sorry David, we should have avoided what happened to you.'"

Kath Rathband, the PC's wife, did not attend the ceremony but said in a statement she would be at the funeral service next weekend and the police memorial ceremony.

Criminal justice minister Nick Herbert and the Chief Constable of the Northumbria force, Sue Sim were both in the congregation.

Ms Sim told Sky News: "I was proud that he was one of my police officers. He was gunned down doing the job he loved and will be sorely missed by the force and the community."

Mr Herbert said: "I met David Rathband, and I was impressed with his courage and dignity. Today was a reminder to us of the sacrifice he paid, and the courage of police officers every day. It's right that we should remember this brave officer."

Mr Rathband arranged the humanist service at the cathedral in accordance with his brother's wishes.

It was conducted by the Dean of Newcastle, the very Reverend Chris Dalliston.

The Dean told Sky News that he hoped the service would highlight the value of the emergency services, and send out a message of the futility of violence.

PC Rathband, 44, was found dead at his home in Northumberland on February 29. An inquest which was opened and adjourned last week confirmed he had killed himself.

In a statement issued on her behalf by Northumbria Police ahead of the service, Mrs Rathband said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Northumbria Police for the care and support they have given and continue to give to myself, Ash and Mia during this incredibly difficult time.

"I'd also like to thank all the well-wishers for their kind words, from which I have gained tremendous strength. There is to be a service on Saturday March 10, at which I will not be present. However, I will be attending my husband David's funeral service, which will be held in Stafford.

"I will then be taking part in a police memorial service which will be held at 2pm on Monday, March 19, at St Nicholas's Cathedral. Family, friends and colleagues can gather to celebrate the many happy memories we all have of the 12 years spent as a family in the north east of England."

PC Rathband had battled to rebuild his life after being blinded by Moat and became a national figure after setting up the Blue Lamp Foundation , which helps 999 personnel injured in the line of duty.

:: Samaritans is available 24 hours a day on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or in the Republic of Ireland on 1850 60 90 90 .