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The thug looked round and, seeing Williairl, who fell on her knees, whi That hen William saw the knife, but he was only a couple of strides away and co thethem both to crash onto the pavement By the time William had recovered, the man was already back on his feet William instinctively raised an arm to protect hi he re his chest

‘Officer down, officer down! Urgent assistance required in Luscombe Road!’ shouted Fred over his radio, as he leapt on the assailant

His eyes opened He blinked and looked around the unfa by the side of the bed, and a senior officer he didn’t recognize was stationed by the door Three pips on each epaulette indicated that he was a chief inspector

Williaave his family a weak se a few inches, suddenly aware that his chest was heavily bandaged He slumped back down

‘How’s Fred?’ were his first faltering words

None of the to answer the question Finally the police officer stepped forward and said, ‘I’m Chief Inspector Cuthbert, and I’m sorry about this Constable Warwick, but I have to ask you soht, because as you well knoe can’t hold a suspect for h evidence to charge them’

‘Of course, sir,’ said Willia to sit up

The chief inspector opened a large brown envelope and extracted several black-and-white photos of different et

‘Is that the ht?’ asked Cuthbert

William nodded ‘But why do you need to ask me, when Fred could identify him in person?’

Chief Inspector Cuthbert reraphs back in the envelope

The parish church of St Michael and St George was rarel

y full, even for the mayor’s annual carol concert, but on this occasion the peere packed long before the choir had entered the nave PC Fred Yates QGM had been granted a full police service funeral, while a uniforuard of honour lined the approach to the church

The funeral cortege was escorted by mounted officers, and Fred’s coffin was draped in the blue and silver colours of the Metropolitan Police, along with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal and a silver trophy resting on top Inside the church, senior officers were seated at the front, while those who couldn’t find a seat had to be satisfied with standing at the back William, seated in a wheelchair, was pushed down the aisle by his father, and the congregation rose to acknowledge hiuided them to reserved places in the front row

He ould valiant be