Funeral of PC Bill Barker

27th November 2009. Funeral of 44 year old Police Constable Bill Barker who lost his life last Friday, while trying to save others from falling to their death. He was standing on Workingtons crumbling Northside bridge, signalling motorists to turn back to safety when the bridge suddenly collapsed beneath his feet and plunged him into the swollen, fast-flowing torrent of the River Derwent. Witnesses said a man and his young son had been ushered to safety by PC Barker just moments before the bridge gave away with a terrible crash. At his funeral in St Marys and St Michaels Church in Main Street today there was a guard of honour made up of police officers and friends. PC Barker had many friends. He had served for 25 years as a police office in his own community. he had earned the respect and affection he enjoyed as a police officer and a neighbour. PC Barker leaves a wife, Hazel, and four children Simon, 16, Melissa, 15, Daniel, 13, and Emma, eight. Tributes to this committed serving officer have been numerous and fulsome. PC Barker has been praised as a hero by the Prime Minister and leaders of both main opposition parties; his attempts to save lives at the height of danger in Workington won praise and thanks from local politicians, his own superiors and colleagues in Cumbria Constabulary, from his neighbours and close friends and from the Queen. And in a heartbreaking tribute from his widow Hazel, he was described as: My best friend. My forever friend. PUBLIC DOMAIN News item.

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[2491tj]

100% full marks to the people of egremont for the dignified silence...very proud.