The grieving family of a police officer who died in the line of duty after his vehicle was struck by another car have declared they are 'broken and will probably never recover'. Pc Bradley Corke, aged 27, passed away on Saturday following a collision on Thursday in Farningham, near Swanley, Kent. His family described him as a 'true gentleman' and 'one of the finest young men ever to have walked this Earth'.
Details of the Tragic Incident
A marked Ford Focus police car and a Volkswagen Scirocco collided on the westbound A20 London Road at approximately 7.45pm. The officers were en route to an emergency incident in nearby Swanley at the time. Pc Corke's colleague was left in a critical condition, while a member of the public in the second vehicle received treatment for serious injuries.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In an emotional statement, Pc Corke's family expressed their devastation: 'Our beautiful boy, so cruelly taken away from us far too young. Bradley was one of the finest young men ever to have walked this Earth. A credit to himself, to us as parents, and to all his family and friends who loved him dearly.'
They added: 'He was proud to be Pc Bradley Corke, and in turn we are proud of his dedication to the profession. We have been touched by the outpouring of love and affection from all who knew him. In particular, we have taken comfort from the kind words of those he helped in his line of duty, supporting them in their hour of need.'
The family continued: 'It comes as no surprise to us that so many had such a positive experience in his presence, because that's just Brad - a true gentleman in every situation he encountered. Son, we are broken and will probably never recover from your loss, but we hope we can draw strength from all that you are and forever will be. We love you son, love you with every ounce of our being. Sleep tight our most beautiful boy.'
Career and Community Impact
Pc Corke, based in Tonbridge, joined Kent Police in May 2022 and served the towns of west Kent. Neil Mennie, chairman of the Kent Police Federation, issued a statement saying: 'We are all absolutely heartbroken to learn of this news. Bradley was a popular colleague who will be much missed, and we will be doing all we can to support his family and close colleagues at this time.'
Mennie emphasised: 'Policing is a family, and words cannot describe the pain we are all feeling, and how this news will affect us in the days, weeks, and months ahead. This sad incident serves as a horrific example of the risks police officers face and how police officers can sadly make the ultimate sacrifice as they strive to keep the public safe.'
Appeal for Information
Police are urging witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. They have asked individuals to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference EW/AL/025/26, to assist with the ongoing investigation into this tragic event.
