Just past Salford Junction on the Tame Valley Canal is a memorial on the towpath to an officer of the West Midlands Police. The inscription reads "Here fell DC Michael Swindells 21 May 2004". The name was vaguely familiar, but I had to look it up. The Police Roll of Honour Trust website has some photos from the unveiling ceremony in 2008 and a brief explanation: he was stabbed to death attempting to arrest a violent suspect armed with a knife.
3 comments:
he was killed by a paranoid schizophrenic.
LCpl Mick Swindells Royal Engineers was my section 2ic in 2 Troop 5 Field Squadron RE in the mid 80's. We had some great laughs serving together Mick and Carol were a fantastic couple and wee Kelly was a jem. It doesn't surprise me the bravery that DC Mick showed that terrible day, it was the sort of thing he would do, pause, think, act, everytime. My Brother Sapper is sorely missed even now. DonnyMac
DonnyMac, thank you for what you've written. It helps to remind us that behind every memorial is a real person, with real family and friends. The next time I pass this spot - whenever that might be - I shall think about you and him having a good time in the RE., and be grateful for his selfless actions in the course of duty.
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