Tributes to PC killed on way home from Christmas shift
A POLICEMAN killed when his sports car slid off the road after a Christmas night shift had a “bright future” with his fiancee, his family said yesterday.
Daniel Clayton-Drabble died after his car hit a tree as he drove home from a night shift.
Police colleagues and paramedics in Northamptonshire found the 24-year-old’s body in the wreckage of his blue BMW 320 Sport car.
Mr Clayton-Drabble, who had finished his shift at Milton Keynes station, was described as a popular constable with Thames Valley Police.
Yesterday in a statement his parents said they knew he was set to be a police officer from the age of three, when he first donned a policeman’s helmet and paired it with a ballet tutu.
They added: “We were so pleased for him to have found the love of his life.
“He and his fiancee were planning what would have been the brightest of futures together.”
The statement read: “When Dan was taken from us so tragically on his way home from a shift on Boxing Day morning, our worlds were torn apart.
“At a time in his life where he had so much to look forward to and was so happy, his loss could not have seemed more cruel. He was a normal 24-year-old who was compelled to face all sides of life sooner than would have been the case, had he not followed his life’s ambition to be a police officer.
“From the moment he donned a police hat and tutu at the age of three, there was never any doubt he would one day be a hero to so many.
“In our eyes, he was the bravest and kindest police officer in the world, but in truth he walked the path that all of those who choose to serve walk.
Inspirational
“We were as proud of him as he was of his profession.
“He was lucky enough to be surrounded by a team who were inspirational and supportive, as well as colleagues he knew would always be there for him.
“We are truly grateful for the compassion and support they have shown to us in what is the most awful of times.
“As parents, we are in the depths of despair but the support shown has been overwhelming.
“Dan always tried to face everything with a smile. He was never happier than when bringing a smile to the faces of those around him.
“His heart was enormous and his love for those that he cared for was immense.
“He cherished his time with us, his sister, her husband and two nieces who he adored beyond reason.
“We were so pleased for him to have found the love of his life and he and his fiancee were planning what would have been the brightest of futures.
“We have all lost our shining star and the world will never be the same again.”
The family asked for any donations to be made to the Henry Allen Trust, “a local charity that was dear to his heart”, founded after the death of a toddler who had an aggressive brain tumour.
Investigators are trying to determine what caused the accident.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police appealed for witnesses to the 7.35am crash to contact them.
Detective Chief Superintendent Gilbert Houalla, force gold commander, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Daniel’s family and colleagues who are being supported at this time.”