29 proud pictures from Gerry Richardson memorial honouring murdered policeman 55 years on

Blackpool’s policing family gathered in Layton Cemetery for a beautiful memorial service, paying tribute to a loved and highly respected policeman who was killed in the line of duty on August 23, 1971.

Both serving and retired officers, along with some of Blackpool’s police cadets, joined the poignant ceremony, which marked 55 years since Gerry Richardson’s tragic murder.

At the annual service, members of Lancashire Constabulary, NARPO (National Association of Retired Police Officers), the Police Federation, and the Gerry Richardson Trust laid wreaths, and spoke of Superintendent Richardson’s legacy, 55 years on from his death.

Watch our documentary about Gerry Richardson on the official Blackpool Gazette YouTube channel.

Take a look at our gallery below.

In 1971, officers were called to the store on The Strand when a manager pressed the emergency alarm during a raid by five masked men.

Supt Richardson and PC Carl Walker chased Joseph “Fat Freddie” Sewell on foot, ending up in a dead-end alleyway.

The 38-year-old tackled his killer even though he was unarmed and was aware that two of his police colleagues had already been shot.

PC Walker was wounded in the thigh before Sewell shot Supt Richardson twice in the stomach as he tried to disarm him.

He died of his injuries later that day, the highest ranking officer to have been killed in the line of duty.

In 1972 he was posthumously awarded the George Cross.

Today, officers of all ranks remember the sacrifice he made and pay tribute to his bravery and selflessness.

His memory lives on through the Gerry Richardson Trust, a charity that funds projects to help disadvantaged young people, including an annual music festival. Find out more about their work at https://gerryrichardsontrust.org/