Retired officers pay tribute to one of their own

24 March 2022

Around 40 retired police officers gathered at West Suffolk Crematorium in Bury St Edmunds yesterday to pay their respects to a fellow former officer who most, if not all, had never even met.

Geoffrey Pulham (94) died in February this year but as a widower with no children it was feared only his carer and her niece would be attending the service.

The vicar carrying out the service decided to reach out to the Suffolk branch of NARPO, the National Association of Retired Police Officers, to see if any former officers would be willing to attend.

They duly stepped up to the mark and, not only paid their respects, but arranged for the Force drapes to be placed on the coffin and liaised with the Suffolk Police so that two uniformed officers could also attend.

“It was nice that we were able to give him a good turn-out at his funeral service and to honour the good service that he gave to his community,” says Mike Shields, the NARPO branch secretary.

“We wanted to show that we were proud of what he had done for the communities of Suffolk.”

Darren Harris, chair of Suffolk Police Federation, praised both the vicar, the Reverend Wendy Norris, and NARPO for its efforts to ensure that Geoffrey’s service to Suffolk Police was recognised.

“We often talk about the policing family but I think the way these former colleagues turned out to honour one of their own was really touching and shows that we never forget those who have spent so much of their lives serving their communities,” says Darren.

“I also think it was an incredibly kind gesture that the Rev Norris contacted NARPO to ensure that this gentleman received a suitable send-off.”

Suffolk’s NARPO branch has around 1,200 members and, as well as offering welfare support to former colleagues and their dependants, also arranges social events throughout the year.