Cop who escaped death on mission to honour fallen colleagues

13 February 2024

A Hertfordshire Police Federation member who miraculously escaped death having been hit by a fast car has told how he now dedicates so much of his time to honouring fallen colleagues.

It was 2008, days before Christmas and Gareth Rees, who was covering a colleague, was called to an incident on a local duel carriageway. His wife was three months pregnant at the time.

“I was up on the grass verge and a car travelling down the duel carriageway stopped, thinking the road was closed. Sadly, that’s where it all went wrong,” recalled Gareth, who was 33 at the time, and was eight years into his role as a cop.

“A second vehicle swerved the static car and hit me. They were travelling around 55mph, knocking me into a nearby farmer’s field. Both of my legs were shattered. I just remember this sensation of flying through the air.”

That night, Gareth’s wife got a knock on her door, and was told by officers to ‘prepare for the worst’.

“To this day, I don’t know how I survived. It was pure luck, and couldn’t been a totally different story,” added Gareth, who was given the devastating news that it was ‘unlikely that he would ever walk again’.

Gareth Rees now dedicates much of his time to honouring fallen colleagues.

Over the following two years, Gareth underwent nine operations and endured hundreds of hours worth of physiotherapy, as he persisted in teaching himself to walk again.

“I had some incredibly low points - both physically and mentally, it was very tough,” he said.

“I spent four months in a wheelchair but was determined to walk into the delivery room to see the birth of my daughter, Eva - whose name means ‘life’. She was my incentive. Eva and my wife, Claire, kept me going.”

Not only was Gareth back on his feet and walking within a few years, but he completed the London Marathon too.

Teaming up with PC David Rathband, an officer who was shot in the face and blinded in both eyes by ex-prisoner Raoul Moat.

The pair raised money for the Blue Lamp Foundation, which was set up by PC Rathband to help emergency services staff who have been injured on duty as a result of criminal action.

“Taking part in the Marathon was massively difficult. The enormity of what we were about to do kicked in at the very start. It was agony but somehow, I found the grit and determination to complete it,” said Gareth, who now works in specialist policing roles, adapted to suit his physical abilities.

Driven by his experience, Gareth is now heavily involved with supporting events - both in the UK and abroad - that honour fallen officers.

For the past three years, Gareth has been involved with the UK’s National Police Memorial Day (NPMD), as a Guard of Honour and facilitating involvement from international officers, who travel across the globe to be part of the service.

Gareth visiting the FBI Academy in America.

“The National Police Memorial Day really resonates with me. We all go out to work, expecting to come home but the reality is, it can all go wrong in the blink of an eye,” Gareth continued.

“I could’ve so easily been a name on the Roll of Honour that is read out each year - my wife could’ve been there remembering me.”

And, he also travels to America each year, for the annual Police Memorial Service that takes place in Washington DC.

“I really believe in remembering our fallen colleagues and that is why I continue to be more involved with these memorial events, year upon year,” Gareth said, ending: “It is absolutely right that we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country - it’s the least we can do.”