Mourners pay tribute to PC killed in floods

Nov 27 2009 By Matt McKenzie

A HERO policeman who was swept to his death in the Cumbrian floods had devoted himself to helping others cope with tragedy, mourners were told today.

Pc Bill Barker, 44, was commended for the support and compassion he showed as a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) to grieving families who had lost loved ones suddenly in road accidents.

Around 500 people who packed into his funeral service in his home town of Egremont were told it was ironic that his ``beloved family" had to experience the very procedures that he perfected.

The Chief Constable of Cumbria Police, Craig Mackey, said it was now the force’s job to comfort Pc Barker’s family in their loss.

Pc Barker was directing motorists away from Northside Bridge in Workington when it collapsed.

The father-of-four plunged into the swollen waters of the River Derwent in the early hours of last Friday. His body was found later that day on a beach in nearby Allonby.

The rains that have lashed the county gave way to rays of sunshine as people stood in silence outside St Mary and St Michael Church to pay their final respects.

The funeral cortege wound its way slowly through the small town, with six motorcyclists, and former colleagues, from Cumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), accompanying the hearse.

The hearse, carried by six RPU officers, was laden with flowers and the coffin was draped in the Union flag with his police helmet and a single red rose on top. They were flanked by floral tributes including ``Dad" and ``642" - the officer’s police number.

Pc Barker’s green Kawasaki motorbike was parked at the cemetery gates, a poignant reminder of his passion for motorcycles.

More of his colleagues formed a honour guard outside the church entrance to greet one of their own as widow Hazel, 45, and children Simon, 16, Melissa, 15, Daniel, 13, and seven-year-old Emma entered the church.

Delivering one of two eulogies to the congregation, Superintendent Gary Slater said Pc Barker gave much time and energy in his role as a FLO.

This was recognised last June when he received a Chief Officer’s Certificate of Merit in recognition of his dedication to the role, he said.

He said: ``This award was as a consequence of numerous letters of appreciation from the families of those killed on the county’s roads, praising the support and compassion provided by the family liaison officers during extremely difficult times.

``His resilience in dealing with human tragedies and the commitment to investigative practice has done much to enhance the reputation of the constabulary.

``During the past week, his family have received numerous letters from parents, partners and families of bereaved who commented, and I quote from one, ’That warm, caring man who did so much for us when we were in so much pain’."

Detective Constable Jim Rooney, another of Pc Barker’s closest friends, told mourners: ``As a former FLO myself I can say without fear of contradiction that Billy was the best FLO in the whole organisation.

``His passion for the role was unstoppable. Bill joined the police to make a difference and he made a difference to so many families that were going through their own personal tragedies."

The officer also talked about Pc Barker’s love of comedy, in particular Monty Python, and that he would have laughed out loud that the presence of a former RAF chaplain, the officiating Reverend Richard Lee, would not be out of place in one of their sketches as a padre.

``So this laugh of Bill’s, I never tired of hearing it. It was infectious and warmed the coldest of moods," he said.

``Tragically on Friday last week Billy’s laugh was silenced forever."

The Monty Python theme was continued when the song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life was played to applause as the hearse was taken out of the church.

Among the wreaths were one from his family which said: ``We love you Dad, you will always be in our thoughts".

Another floral tribute was in the shape of a motorbike with a message attached which read: ``No words needed Bill. We’ve said them all sweetheart. Ride free angel, xx."

Outside the church, a statement was read out on behalf of Mrs Barker and her family.

It read: ``The last seven days have been the worst days of our lives.

``We have to come to terms with losing a wonderful husband and a devoted father to our four children.

``Bill was a police officer for 25 years, most of his service spent on the Roads Policing Unit, a job he was passionate about and loved dearly.

``He took great pride in his role as a family liaison officer, helping others cope with such tragedies as the one we are having to cope with today."