Tributes paid to 'dedicated' cop ahead of funeral

26 September 2024

North Yorkshire Police Federation members have paid tribute to their colleague Temporary Sergeant Andy Rogers, saying he was an officer ‘who wanted to make a difference’.

Andy, who served the Force for 23 years after joining in May 2001, was described as ‘loyal’, ‘considerate’, and ‘knowledgeable’ by two officers who served with him for long periods.

He died peacefully at Saint Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough, aged 44 years.

PC Marc Richardson joined North Yorkshire Police six months after Andy when they were posted together in Scarborough.

“We hit it off,” Marc said. “We were very close and good mates.

“He was a really loyal person. He would do anything for you and was always there if you needed anything.

“He was a copper for the right reasons who wanted to make a difference and catch the bad guys.

Samurai sword

“He was always dedicated to it but could also have a laugh and make the best of a bad situation.”

Marc described one job where he was in the process of arresting a man who was in possession of a Samurai sword.

“We had got the situation under control, and I was about to arrest the male, and Andy, out of nowhere, crawled between my legs right between me and my dog,” Marc said.

“Andy was always petrified of dogs, especially police dogs, but before I could say or do anything, he arrested the male.

“Afterwards, I said to him that I couldn’t believe he’d nicked my prisoner and he broke into a massive grin and said ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’.”

PC John O’Malley also paid tribute to Andy.

“I’ve been in the Police for 18 years and have known him pretty much all my service,” John said. “People come into your life, you meet them, and you hit it off and Andy was one of those people.” Both were avid Hull City fans and would regularly put the team to right in various chats and rants.

John worked with Andy in the Operational Support Unit and was previously posted together to the London riots in 2011, the 2012 Olympics, and various public order operations over the years.

John recalled: “At the 2012 Olympics, on the 'Super Saturday' we had some time off. We were billeted at the Hendon Police College and were in a pub near there.

“A pint was £2.12 each time Team GB got a gold medal, so when we won one, everyone on our team got two pints.

“Our inspector had talked to us about not drinking too much and Andy had the idea to have his photo taken with these beers in front of him and sent it to the inspector.

Bowel cancer

“Within minutes the Inspector was in the pub, checking up on us, and we were all having a laugh about it.”

John said that Andy handled his diagnosis with bowel cancer like ‘an absolute warrior.'

“His death was a really sad day for his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. He was our friend. He was our brother. We'll miss him,” he said.

Andy’s funeral service will take place at All Saints Church in Nafferton, tomorrow (Friday 27 September) at 12.30pm, followed by a private burial at Nafferton and then a wake at The Blue Bell Inn, Nafferton.

The funeral service will be live-streamed for family and friends who are unable to attend.

Family flowers only are requested, and donations in memory of Andy will be divided between the church, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Saint Catherine’s Hospice.