Shot policeman's widow leads mourners

The widow of British traffic policeman Ian Broadhurst led hundreds of mourners today at his funeral.

Two officers who survived the St Stephen's Day shooting formed part of the guard of honour at the entrance to Leeds Parish Church, West Yorkshire.

Pc Neil Roper and Pc James Banks looked on as Pc Broadhurst’s coffin was carried up the steps into the church.

Pc Broadhurst’s widow Eilisa watched as the coffin was taken from the hearse and into the church.

She led hundreds of police officers as they paid their last respects.

Pc Broadhurst, 34, from Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire, was shot twice while helping to arrest American David Bieber in Dib Lane, Leeds.

Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn told the congregation that Pc Broadhurst was “a man who impressed all those around him with his enthusiasm and commitment in everything he did, a man who was compassionate and caring, even for those against whom he had to enforce the law, and a man whose zest for life and humour were infectious”.

The chief constable said Pc Broadhurst would be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

The funeral began with around 800 people packed into the church and hundreds more outside watching the ceremony on a large video screen.

A guard of honour of around 200 officers stood to attention as the hearse carrying Pc Broadhurst’s body arrived at the church.

A single church bell sounded as the hearse, led by a single drummer, slowly manoeuvred into position at the front of the parish church.

Floral tributes included Pc Broadhurst’s police number 4445 and a bouquet in the shape of the West Yorkshire police badge.

Senior officers mingled with rank and file policemen in drizzling rain and dozens of colleagues lined the nearby streets.

Those watching outside included the dozens of officers who formed the guard of honour and the escort for the funeral cortege who packed in front of the screen in their dress uniforms, many wearing the white hats of the traffic division.

The service was opened by Canon Graham Smith, the Rector of Leeds, and the first hymn was I Vow To Thee, My Country.

A poem entitled “Don’t grieve for me” was read by Police Sergeant Ann Drury, then The River by Garth Brooks was played.

Bishop Arthur Roche, Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Leeds, then gave an address.

He said: “There are so many people today who silently, but with all the affection of their hearts, are joined with us as we gather to pray for and pay tribute to a very brave young man – an able and dedicated police officer, a deeply loving and proud husband, a devoted son, a brother and valued friend and a much-missed colleague.

“The shock of what took place within an instant, on the day after Christmas, has reverberated deeply within the hearts and minds of so many.

“Thank God that in these oft-precarious times there are those who, like Ian and his colleagues, are prepared to contribute to the role of peacemaking and to protect the weak and maintain law and good order for the benefit of our society.

“Yours, Police Constable Ian Broadhurst, was a noble profession because you chose to serve the common good ... with a good, generous and heroic heart like that of our Lord and Master who came not to be served but to serve and to give himself in ransom of many.”