A POIGNANT memorial service was held to remember a policeman who was brutally murdered more than a century ago.
Present-day officers from West Mercia Police gathered in the Beoley Church grounds on Thursday in memory of James Davies and to lay floral tributes at his grave.
The father-of-three was killed on Saturday, February 28, 1885 by Moses Shrimpton a poacher recently released from prison.
An inquest found PC Davies died from a severed wind-pipe.
Shrimpton was later arrested and sentenced to death, and was the last person to be hanged at Worcester Gaol.
Officers, neighbours and mourners set up a memorial fund in his name to help his widow look after their three children and newborn baby, raising £1,408.
Some of the money raised was put towards the roadside memorial where the incident happened, reading: ‘JD 1885’.
PC Davies’ memory has been kept alive for the last 134 years by Wythall Police who are keen to remember one of their own.
Insp Dave King said of Thursday’s service: “It was a nice service and we also laid a wreath at the roadside memorial.
“It is something we will be looking to do in the future to ensure he is never forgotten.”
