'It's a fitting tribute to dad': Police officer who died while pursuing suspect recognised for bravery with Elizabeth Emblem
A police officer who was died in action has been awarded a medal for bravery
A heroic police officer who died while pursuing a suspect four decades ago has been recognised for his bravery and service with a national award.
The family of PC Kenneth Adams has been presented with the Elizabeth Emblem, which honours public servants who die in the line of duty while protecting others, at the Chief Constable’s awards ceremony earlier this month.
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PC Adams, who was based in Portsmouth as part of the traffic unit, served as a Hampshire officer for 20 years, after joining as a police cadet.
He tragically lost his life in 1982, when his police car crashed in a high-speed pursuit of a suspect vehicle, in thick fog, near Bishops Waltham. The 38-year-old died alongside his colleague, PC Paul Salmon, who was 28.
His daughter, Alison Alvey, who was 13-years-old when her dad died, accepted the award on his behalf after nominating him for the accolade.
She said: “I thought that it would be a fitting tribute to my dad. Fortunately, I had a large amount of newspaper cuttings about my dad, as his cousin had been keeping them whenever he appeared in the newspapers.”
Among the cuttings is one reporting on his Royal Humane Society award for bravery, received only a year before his tragic accident.
She added: “We were on a family holiday in Malta when my dad spotted a commotion on the beach. Without hesitation, he plunged into the rough sea and swam out to an 80-year-old woman in distress, bringing her safely back to shore. He then helped revive her son-in-law, who had got into trouble while trying to rescue her himself.
“This was typical of my dad - always putting others before himself.”
Named after the late Queen, the silver emblem offers a lasting legacy for the recipients, which has provided great comfort to their loved ones. It bears the poignant inscription ‘For A Life Given in Service’ and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem.
Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: “It was an honour to see Alison accept this remarkable award on behalf of her father. PC Adams was undoubtedly an exceptional police officer who demonstrated extraordinary courage throughout his life and service, both on and off duty.
“To have his sacrifice recognised in this way is a fitting tribute to him and his family, who have lived with his sudden and devastating loss.
“It is also a reminder to us all that our police officers go to work every day, never knowing what they will be confronted with. Despite the risks to them, officers work selflessly to keep the public safe and do what is needed to protect their communities.”