Brave officer is added to national memorial
JUDITH TONNER
A Rutherglen police officer who died hours after being involved in a 1960s chase and arrest is now to be honoured on a national memorial, more than half a century after his death.
Detective Sergeant William Graham died of a heart attack, aged just 31, hours after being injured while pursuing two suspected car thieves.
His story has been researched by dedicated volunteers from Lanarkshire police historical society (LPHS), who have successfully applied to have the officer’s name added to the Scottish police memorial, which honours all those who have died or been killed on duty.
LPHS chair George Barnsley said: “Anyone who dies on duty has their name added to the memorial wall at Tulliallan Castle, the police training college in Fife.
“There are eight new names going on this year. The memorial has been there for around 15 years so names are still being added in cases like this where we’ve found out about someone’s story.”
Lanarkshire Constabulary officer DS Graham had been promoted to his new post in the force’s anti-crime squad just three weeks before the routine patrol of January 10, 1964 which saw officers find a stolen car located at Allanton, near Wishaw.
With one thief having been arrested, the officer gave chase to another and apprehended him. But with the suspect resisting arrest, DS Graham dislocated his shoulder.
After taking the arrested men to Bellshill police office, he received hospital treatment for his injury but died of a heart attack early the following morning at his home at the police houses on Bankhead Road.
DS Graham was survived by his wife Jean and their two children. The family later moved to England where son Jack followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the police force, reaching the rank of Inspector with Staffordshire Police.
Although this September’s annual ceremony at the police memorial has been cancelled, DS Graham’s name will now be added to the marble monument and his relatives will be invited to all future occasions.
The wall contains the names of all officers in Scotland who have died or been killed on duty dating back more than 200 years. It is the first time that their names have all been displayed together, and research continues to add new names as further historic stories are discovered.
George added: “It’s a beautiful memorial, really stunning – it’s in a lovely garden and is really impressive to see, and the annual service is a very touching and emotional occasion where wreaths are laid for those who’ve died.”
Members of LPHS, which was founded seven years ago, are also always on the lookout for photographs and memorabilia relating to Lanarkshire’s former forces – including Motherwell & Wishaw Burgh police, which was in existence from 1930 to 1967, and Lanarkshire Constabulary, which operated from 1857 until 1975.
The group can be contacted by emailing george.barnsley@lphs. org.uk or visiting the society’s website at www.lphs.org.uk.