Memorial Stone Helps Keep Officer’s Memory Alive

A memorial stone laid in honour of a police officer killed on duty in 1900 is important to keep the officer’s name alive, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.

PC John Kew was killed on duty in South Yorkshire after being shot by Frederick Backhouse, one of the notorious Backhouse brothers from Rotherham. PC Kew was only 29 years old.

On 5 September, a memorial stone for PC Kew – who was the last officer murdered on duty in South Yorkshire – was unveiled in Kew Court by The Police Memorial Trust.

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: “We’re really grateful to The Police Memorial Trust for recognising PC Kew’s bravery and sacrifice. And the local branch of NARPO [National Association for Retired Police Officers], with help from us, will maintain and improve his gravestone too.

“Attending the memorial event was so humbling. There were members of the public there, there was press there, it was a really nice thing to do to remember the ultimate sacrifice this officer made. For a lot of people it’s the first time they’ve heard about him, so it’s important that the memory of PC Kew will never fade again.”