Tributes paid to ‘one of kind’ former Sergeant Adrian Naik
24 November 2023
Tributes have been paid to former West Midlands Police Federation member and ‘one of a kind’, ‘proud officer’ Sergeant Adrian (Ade) Naik.
Almost 300 people attended the funeral of the 56-year-old on Monday (20 November), including branch chair Rich Cooke and deputy chair Jase Dooley, who previously worked with Ade on the Operational Support Unit.
Grandfather-of-four Ade, who had two children and two step-children, died on 20 October having been diagnosed with cancer almost two years ago.
“I can’t speak highly enough of ‘Naiky’. He was such a great bloke, and seeing the amount of people who attended his funeral demonstrated the enormous impact he had on so many,” said Jase.
Completing Ade’s funeral procession was the police carrier he worked in, with dozens of former and serving members of the Operational Support Unit forming a guard of honour as the hearse approached.
Ade had asked that all those who had or were working for the Operational Support Unit wear their COBRA tie pin and has specifically requested that his wife, Gaynor, ‘puts a bit of money behind the bar at the wake so the lads can have a drink’.
Sergeant Adrian (Ade) Naik.
“He was the kind of person who not only supported the more experienced officers but really helped the younger officers too,” added Jase.
“He was a very proud officer. He was a very good bobby, he was one of a kind. If the heat was on, you would want Naiky next to you because you always knew he would have your back. He was a calming reassurance, and he will be so greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”
Ade was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) - a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves - 14 years ago. However, it was not until 2019, that the condition started to worsen, leading to Ade medically retiring from the Force.
At the beginning of 2022, Ade was diagnosed with cancer in the stomach, which led to him having a major operation to remove the tumour and then five months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Fellow former West Midlands sergeant and one of Ade’s best friends Rich Churchill told how they ‘thought Ade had beaten it’. But sadly Ade was given the devastating news that the cancer had returned to the oesophagus and they could not operate.
To give him some respite and ‘build his strength up’ as his health deteriorated, Ade was advised to spend some time in Katherine House Hospice. He was there for around two weeks before he died on the night of 20 October.
“He was taken too soon from us,” said Rich, adding: “We all knew it was coming but it still felt like a massive shock when it happened.”
Rich retired two years ago and for the past 11 months has worked for a local funeral director.
“Ade asked me to look after him when the time came. He asked me if I would take care of him when he died because he knew he would be in safe hands,” said Rich, “It was a tough job but I promised him I would do it.”
Ade had been in the Force for around 27 years. During that time, he and Rich, as well as two other officers, Rich ‘Big Rich’ Edwards and Dave ‘Swiss’ McCone, developed a ‘brotherhood’.
“We all worked on the Operational Support Unit,” said Rich, 57, who explained that he and Ade were promoted to sergeant in 2010 at the same time.
“I met Ade when I joined the team in 2003, and 20 years later, our friendship was exactly the same. He was like a brother to me, he taught me a lot. I feel lucky to have enjoyed so much of my career with him by my side.”
Adrian Naik with, left to right, Rich Edwards, Rich Churchill, Dave McCone.
Rich described Ade as ‘an absolute gent’ who ‘had a kind eye’ and ‘would do anything for anyone’.
“He was a family man. He loved the job - he said he had found his calling being part of the Operational Support Unit - but his wife, Gaynor and kids were always his priority. He had a caravan and whenever he could the family would be off on a camping trip somewhere.”
Rich told how he and Ade worked on some of the ‘most serious’ incidents together, including the heartbreakingly relentless search for April Jones, a five-year-old girl who disappeared in Wales in 2012.
He added: “We worked on some of the toughest and hardest jobs together, but Ade was almost like a comfort blanket. I trusted him implicitly, we had an unbreakable bond.”
Rich explained how Ade ‘fought until the end’.
“His kindness and sense of humour stayed with him all of the way through,” continued Rich.
“He will never be forgotten. A group of former colleagues - both retired and serving officers, mainly from the Operational Support Unit have already agreed we will be having a ‘Naiky Day’ meet up in memory of him, a chance for us all to tell stories and share our memories of Ade.”
Donations for Katherine House Hospice were collected at Ade's funeral, with more than £2,000 raised so far.
