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18
Jun 2022
Family of murdered Harrogate policeman seeks permanent memorial
The family of PC David Haigh, the Harrogate police officer murdered by Barry Prudom, has called for a permanent memorial to be erected.
Father-of-three PC Haigh was just 29 years old when he was shot by Prudom at Norwood Edge car park in Stainburn Forest.
PC Haigh's widow, three sons and other family members hung a wreath at the site yesterday — 40 years to the day after he was slain.
They laid another wreath at Harrogate police station, where there is a plaque commemorating a fallen colleague.
But besides that plaque there is nothing to honour the officer who made the ultimate sacrifice and his family feels it is time that was put right.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret at yesterday's wreath hanging, relatives said they were in discussions with the Police Memorial Trust, a charity that erects memorials to British police officers killed in the line of duty.
They hope something will be arranged for the site where he died, which is currently a car park owned by the Forestry Commission.
The memorial to PC David Haigh.
Annette Jakes, PC Haigh's widow, returns to the site most years to pay her respects. She said:
The fateful day
Ms Jukes was so overcome by grief at the news of her husband's death that she had to be sedated for many days afterwards.
Recalling the fateful moment, she said she could see police officers through the glass door of the family home at the time on Elmwood Street:
Eldest sons Carl and Michael, who were 11 and eight at the time, were sent home from Grove Road Community Primary School. They were waiting in a neighbour's house when they overheard the news that their dad had been killed. Two weeks later they were back at school.
PC David Haigh
Youngest son Richard, who was just three at the time, said he was "unbelievably proud" of his dad.
He added it was a cruel twist of fate that the anniversary of PC Haigh's death always fell around Father's Day.
About a dozen family members, including grandchildren of PC Haigh, were at Norwood Edge yesterday to pay their respects.
It was a short and dignified occasion at the spot where it is thought PC Haigh died from a single gunshot wound.
Prudom went on the run and killed two more people before turning the gun on himself 17 days later after Britain's biggest ever manhunt.
Now the family hopes a more lasting tribute will be erected in memory of the young Harrogate father who sacrificed his life serving others.
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