It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death of retired PC 1554 Richard 'Dick' REEVES. Dick who had recently celebrated his 65th birthday died peacefully at home on Friday 8th May following a long illness. His next of kin is his wife Jan. He leaves 2 daughters, Chloe and Collette.

Dick joined the Derbyshire Constabulary in 1983 and was posted to Shirebrook. He later transferred to Ashbourne but due to his illness completed his  service as part of the Crime Management Unit. Dick Retired in 2013 after 30 years of Police servIce.  He will be remembered by all as a dedicated officer, he was a lovely man with a gentle nature but a clever and dry sense of humour. He will be missed by all who worked alongside him.

Richard's funeral has been arranged for 10.00am on Monday 15th June 2026 at Markeaton Crematorium, Derby DE22 4NH.
Ian Louch (Chair Derbys NARPO)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the recent death of Shirley BAILEY, ex Sgt 216 Brian Sergeant’s partner of many years. She passed away in a care home in Codnor where she had been residing for the past 12 months.

Her funeral is being held at 2.00pm this Friday, 15th May, at Waingroves Chapel, Waingroves Road, Ripley DE5 9TB.
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No other details are known
Sean Murphy (Derbys NARPO Committee)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on the Wednesday 22nd April, 2026, after a short stay in hospital of ex Assistant Chief Constable Norman Arthur RUSHTON, 88 years.  Norman's next of kin is his wife Mrs Eileen Rushton, he also left a son, Phillip, and a daughter, Sharon.

Norman joined the Derby Borough Police and moving to Derbyshire County Constabulary on amalgamation.  Norman was the first Sergeant promoted under the Bramshill scheme and he continued working in all areas of the Force until he became Assistant Chief Constable until his retirement  in 1989 after 32 years service.

Norman was in relatively good health until about 3 months ago when he had a fall and suffered with mild Alzheimer’s.

There will be no funeral as per his wishes, instead he will have an unattended cremation.
Sean Murphy (Derbys NARPO Committee)

​​It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death of retired DC 934 Tom McDADE. Tom died on Saturday 28th February 2026 at Macclesfield General Hospital following a short illness, while living with his grandson Stephen. Tom had been living for several years in Mablethorpe.

Tom  was divorced from his wife Patricia and his partner Dorothy died in 2023. His next of kin is his son Michael and he also had an adopted daughter Julie.

Prior to joining the Derbyshire Constabulary aged 40 in 1979, Tom rose to the rank of Warrant Officer in the Royal Corps of Transport. He served in Derby and with the CID at Derby East and Peartree.  It is believed that he retired in 1996 after which he worked for Wards Solicitors representing their clients in the Custody Suite. 

Tom's funeral has been arranged for 1.00pm on Tuesday 31st March at Carmountside Crematorium, Stoke on Trent ST2 7AE, followed by a  Wake at The Barley Mow Church Road, Braddocks Hey, Biddulph ST8 6NE.
Ian Louch (Chair Derbys NARPO)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Thursday 22nd January 2026 of ex Supt. Alan McCORMICK, 85 years.  Alan who had suffered with Pulmonary Fibrosis died peacefully at home.  His next of kin is his wife, Mrs Josaphine McCormick.

Alan initially joined Bedfordshire Police, transferring to the Metropolitan Police before transferring to the Derbyshire Police in 1970 on promotion to Inspector.  He served at Chesterfield, Derby and within Special Branch and was deputy Commander at Derby, retiring in 1990.

Alan was loved father to daughters Julia, Rosalind, sons Gez and Markus, their partners, Robert and Charlotte and grandchildren Grace, Alexander, Molly, Thomas, Dylan, Ruby and Elodie.

Alan's funeral has been arranged for 2.30pm on Thursday 12th March 2026 at Derby Crematorium, Markeaton Lane, Derby DE22 4NH and afterwards at the Grapes PH, 66 High Street, Belper DE56 1GF.
Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)

​It is with sadness that we announce the passing of PC 597 Oliver 'Mark' PALING who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday 7th January 2026 aged 63. Beloved husband of Isabelle; brother to Ruth; loving dad to Gilles and Christophe; uncle to Jordan and Amy. Fondly remembered and dearly missed by family, friends, and all who knew Mark.

Mark joined the Derbyshire Constabulary in 1986, he worked at Full Street and Chaddesden in Derby and later in Ops Room from where he took early retirement.
 
Mark's funeral service will be held at Derby Cathedral on Monday 2nd March 2026 at 11:00am followed by a committal at Markeaton Crematorium at 12:30pm.

Following the service the family warmly invite you to share more memories of Mark at Horsley Lodge, Smalley Mill Road, Horsley, DE21 5BL.

Mark was not a NARPO member. Tributes can be left on this page or on our Facebook page 
​Ian Louch (Chair Derbyshire NARPO)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Monday 5th January 2026 of ex Sgt 278 Adam George CLARK, 91 years. His next of kin is his wife, Mrs Isobel Clark.  Adam died peacefully at Cedar Court Dementia Care Home, Bretby, where he was for the last 12 months.

Adam joined the Police in 1962, serving in Ilkeston and afterwards as Patrol Sergeant at Swadlincote, until retirement.  Adam then  worked as a civilian Enquiry Office Clerk for many years, where he used his skills as a Sergeant, when dealing with the public. 
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Adam was a loving husband to Isobel, and to daughters Debbie and Fiona, sons in law Nick and Simon and grandfather to Lauren, AJ, Louis and Georgia.

Adam’s funeral will be held at 11.30am on Monday 2nd February 2026 at Hill Street Baptist Church, 6a Hill Street, Swadlincote DE11 8HL followed by interment at Church Gresley Cemetery.
Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Wednesday 7th January 2026 of ex WPC 1704 Janet Mary BALL nee COLLEDGE, 86 years, in the Park Residential Home, Derby. Janet’s next of kin is her friend and next door neighbour Mrs. Dawn White. Janet who lived alone, has been poorly since 2017 with cirrhosis of the liver and had a stroke and other ailments.

Janet served at Derby and Alfreton on uniform duties and as a Detective in CID, and retired on ill health in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. She was married to ex DC Peter Ball (No details) but it only lasted a few months before their divorce.

Janet's funeral has been arranged for 11.30am on Monday 16th March 2026 at Trent Valley Crematorium, Derby Road, Aston on Trent, Derby DE72 2AF.
​​Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)

​It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Monday 12th January 2026 of Mrs Gillian ‘Gill’ SMITH, 82 years, the wife of ex Insp 3157 John Robert Smith, who is next of kin.  Gill as she was known, died peacefully in Chesterfield Royal Hospital, after a short stay.  Gill had suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for the last few years. Gill was loved mother to Andrew and Phillip, daughter in law to Christine and beloved Grandmother to Abbie, Tom and Lewis.

Gill’s funeral has been arranged for 2.00pm on Tuesday 24th February 2026 at Amber Valley Crematorium, Derby Road,  Swanwick DE55 1BH. Afterwards at the Gate Inn, The  Knoll, Tansley, Matlock, DE4 5FN
​Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Friday 19th December 2025, of ex Sgt 591 John Edward OAKES,  80 years.  John died peacefully at Ridgeway Nursing Home near Belper where he spent the last few weeks of his life. His next of kin is his wife, Mrs Rhona Oakes. John had been poorly for the last 6 years and until recently was looked after at home by Rhona helped by carers.

He was a loved father to Richard and Michael, father in law to Karen and Leslie and beloved grandpa to Zach, Ben, Lucy and Matilda.

John joined the Derbyshire Police in October, 1966 and was stationed at Chesterfield, Belper and was Sergeant at Ashbourne and at Full Street, Derby.

John's funeral has been arranged for 11.00am on Monday 19th January 2026 at Derby Crematorium, Markeaton Lane, Derby DE22 4NH
Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on the 8th December 2025, whilst celebrating his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife on holiday in the Maldives, of ex C/Supt 994 Martin BIRKINSHAW, 74 years.  Martin was snorkelling when he tragically died.

His next of kin is his wife, Mrs Georgina Anne Birkinshaw, whom members will remember as WPC 1768.

Martin was a loved father of Jo, John, Matt and Annie and a father in law to Dan, Becky, Sophie and Josh and a cherished Granddad to Poppy, George, Jess and Logan.

Martin joined Derbyshire Constabulary in January 1972 and served in Derby, Ripley, Heanor, Matlock and Headquarters in various roles and positions.

He retired in 2003 as C/Superintendent.

Martin’s funeral has been arranged for 1.00pm on Wednesday 21st January 2026 at Amber Valley Memorial Garden and Crematorium, Derby Road, Swanwick, DE55 1BH; followed by a Wake at The Queens Head, Alfreton Road, Little Eaton DE215DF.
Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee)