A police officer who followed in the footsteps of his late father has spoken about the lasting impact of his father's death after he was shot on duty more than four decades ago. PC Dave Bishop, now part of the Colchester Community Policing Team, was just ten years old when his father, PC Brian 'Bill' Bishop, was killed while apprehending an armed robber in Frinton, Essex, in August 1984.
Brian Bishop, known as a 'gentle giant' at 6'7", joined Essex Police in 1966 and served in various roles, including as a dog handler and firearms instructor. He married Susan, a fellow officer, in 1967, and their son Dave was born in 1974. Dave described his father as a 'very caring Dad' with a sarcastic sense of humour who loved sports.
On 22 August 1984, Brian Bishop briefly returned home before heading out on a job. The Force Support Unit had been called to Frinton after reports of a man robbing two post offices with a sawn-off shotgun. When the robber reappeared to retrieve hidden cash, Bishop confronted him and was shot in the head. Colleague Mervyn Fairweather was also injured. Bishop died in hospital five days later.
Dave recalled being sheltered from the news and only returning home after his father's death. He said: 'I vividly remember a colleague of Dad's explaining that when a car's engine stops, it's the brain of the car and the car doesn't work anymore. He said Dad's engine had stopped and he wouldn't be coming home.' Dave struggled with the lack of support and the sudden public attention.
The gunman, Colin Richards, was shot by another officer and paralysed. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1985 but released after 17 years. Dave admitted he blamed himself for years for not saying goodbye to his father on the day of the incident. He said: 'I beat myself up and I blamed myself for many years because I never said goodbye. That's why I always make sure I tell my children I love them before I leave the house.'
Dave initially wanted to join the police after school but his mother, who continued working in policing, talked him out of it. However, after her retirement, he joined Essex Police in 2001. He now works in Colchester, following in his father's footsteps.
