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In this episode, I tell the story of George Russell, a 35-year-old Police Constable murdered in Oxenholme, Cumbria, on February 10, 1965.
George and several other Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary officers attempted to hunt down an armed car thief and tracked him down to the waiting room at Oxenholme Lake District Railway Station.
The gunman shot his revolver at George, killing him, as well as Inspector Alfred Harrison and PC Alexander Archibald, both of whom sustained injuries but were not killed.
A few hours later, the gunman was finally apprehended by PC Geoffrey Harrington and PC Derek Thompson.
Later revealed to be a labourer called John Middleton, the gunman had attempted to take his own life with the revolver but failed. The bullet was later removed from his head, leaving him with permanent brain damage.
Middleton was deemed unfit to stand trial in June 1965 and was ordered by Mr Justice Brabin to be admitted to a secure hospital at the discretion of the Home Secretary.
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic
References:
Accused of murdering policeman. (1965, March 26). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1.
BULLET FROM HEAD FIRED BY MAN’S REVOLVER. (1965, February 13). Liverpool Echo, 1.
Cathedral honour for shot PC. (1965, March 31). Daily Mirror, 9.
Ceremony honours shot policeman. (2007, June 21). BBC News. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/6225210.stm
Christys, P. (2015, February 14). “BEHIND THE NEWS: A black day” - Memorial service held for victim of Oxenholme shooting. The Westmorland Gazette. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/11794825.behind-the-news-a-black-day-memorial-service-held-for-victim-of-oxenholme-shooting/
“DRAMA OF SHOTS AND HEROISM”: Court told of P.C.’s death. (1965, April 21). Herald Express, 1.
Face to face with death. (1965, February 11). Newcastle Journal, 5.
Fallen police officer remembered at Oxenholme. (2015, February 10). ITV News. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from https://www.itv.com/news/border/2015-02-10/fallen-police-officer-remembered-at-oxenholme
LADY LUCK’S LAST ACT. (1965, February 10). Aberdeen Evening Express, 1.
LAKELAND P.C. SHOT IN CHEST - PROSECUTION. (1965, April 21). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1.
“LAKES” DEATH - MAN FOUND UNFIT TO PLEAD. (1965, June 21). Aberdeen Evening Express, 5.
Pc George Russell: Service marks 50th anniversary of officer’s shooting. (2015, February 10). BBC News. Retrieved August 21, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-31365763
Pc SHOT DEAD - THEN MAN HIT IN RUNNING BATTLE. (1965, February 10). Manchester Evening News, 1.
PC SHOT DEAD: HUNT ENDS IN LAKELAND. (1965, February 10). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1–11.
P.C. SHOT: THEN 200 POLICE ARMED. (1965, February 10). Liverpool Echo, 1.
Police chief speaks of P.C.’s courage. (1965, February 15). Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 1.
POLICEMAN MURDERED: MAN SHOT IN HUNT. (1965, February 10). Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 1–7.
SHOT PC BREAKS DOWN IN MURDER-CASE COURT. (1965, April 20). Daily Mirror, 16.
SHOT Pc: NO TRIAL FOR SILENT MAN. (1965, June 22). Daily Mirror, 7.
SHOT P.C.’S WIDOW: Pension And Gratuity To Be Paid. (1965, March 6). Liverpool Echo, 12.
Thousands saw funeral of shot policeman. (1965, February 15). Herald Echo, 1.
