A DALE police officer was one of three from the County Durham force to cycle 180 miles to commemorate fellow officers who have died while protecting the public.
Insp Ed Turner, from Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Police Team, along with Sgt Pete Tate and call handler Michael Wallace, represented Durham Constabulary on the UK Police Unity Tour.
The trio, along with cyclists from other North East forces set off from York on Friday, July 30, and arrived at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, on Sunday, August 1.
Insp Turner was riding in memory of PC Keith Maddison, who collapsed and died while chasing two suspects in Crook in 1997.
He said: “Personally it’s a privilege to be able to cycle on behalf of Keith.
“I remember Keith when I was young in service so it was a real honour and something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
The 52-year-old wore a wristband for his fallen comrade during the cycle event which he handed over to PC Maddison’s widow Barbara and daughter Andrea at the National Memorial Arboretum, where a new UK Police Memorial had been unveiled earlier in the week.
Insp Turner added: “That was quite a special moment. It was very impactful and emotional.”
The trio completed 80 miles on Friday, a further 80 miles on Saturday and joined hundreds of cyclists from other forces for the last 20 miles.
Insp Turner said: “Conditions on Friday were biblical. The sky opened and it never stopped.”
He raised about £800 for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity during the three-day event.
This year was the ninth hosting of the event which has raised a cumulative £1million for COPS. Insp Turner described being able to take part as “a privilege and an honour”.
People who would like to contribute to Insp Turner’s fundraising cause can visit justgiving.com/fundraising /edward-turner9.
