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06
Sept 2023
Memorial stone unveiled in honour of murdered Harrogate police officer
A memorial stone was unveiled this morning in honour of Harrogate police officer David Haigh, who was murdered on duty in 1982.
Father-of-three PC Haigh, 29, was shot by Barry Prudom at Norwood Edge car park in Stainburn Forest.
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, which involved 4,000 police officers.
PC David Haigh was just 29 when he was murdered.
Family members, who return to the site annually to lay a wreath, told the Stray Ferret last year they were in discussions with the Police Memorial Trust, a charity that erects memorials to British police officers killed in the line of duty.
Those discussions finally bore fruit today and numerous relatives, including PC Haigh's widow Annette Jakes, children, grandchildren and brother, attended the ceremony. Many still live locally.
Geraldine Winner, the widow of film-maker Michael Winner, unveiled the stone at the spot where PC Haigh is believed to have fallen.
Mr Winner founded the Police Memorial Trust, which has now created 57 memorials to officers killed in the line of duty.
Family and representatives of North Yorkshire Police and the Police Memorial Trust at today's ceremony.
A 58th is due to be unveiled tomorrow in honour of sergeant David Winter, 31, who was shot during the search for PC Haigh's killer.
North Yorkshire Police representatives, including chief superintendent Catherine Clarke, were also in attendance.
Ms Jakes told the Stray Ferret the memorial "has been a long time coming" but she was delighted PC Haigh's sacrifice had now been formally recognised.
Youngest son Richard Haigh said:
A QR code on the memorial stone takes phone users to a page on the Police Memorial Trust website that gives information about PC Haigh.
The memorial stone is situated where PC Haigh lost his life.
You can watch a video of the stone being unveiled on our Facebook page here.
Read more:
- Family of murdered Harrogate policeman seeks permanent memorial
- 40 years ago today: PC David Haigh was murdered in Beckwithshaw
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