|
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)
4 Comments
 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)  It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Sunday 30th November 2025, of retired Sgt 378 Michael Walker following a stroke. Mick had been residing in a Nursing Home in Chesterfield for 2 years. Mick was a widower. He had four children, three daughters and a son Stephen, who died suddenly aged 57 from a heart attack a few years ago.
Mick joined the Police in 1962 and served at Chesterfield and Ilkeston. He was promoted Sergeant in 1971 and served in and around Staveley. In 1982, whilst on patrol with ex PC John Jordan, he was called to an alarm at Loggins Garage, Staveley, which was being robbed at gun point. They were confronted by a masked man with a sawn off shotgun, who ran off. Mick set off after him on foot towards Poolsbrook, when the robber turned and shot at Mick at close range, wounding him on his right side. The robber made good his escape and the case remains undetected. Mick was hospitalized and to his dying day his legs contain 130 pieces of shot. Mick retired in 1989 on an injury on duty pension. There will be no funeral as Mick has opted for a direct cremation. A seemingly tragic story but I would like to mention that for the past two years whilst Mick has been in his Nursing Home, ex PC 830 Kevin Walton has visited him twice a week and acted like a member of the family, seeing to all his needs. He certainly went far and beyond what is hoped of an ex colleague. Ken is also arranging for the scattering of Mick’s ashes in Poolsbrook Country Park on a date to be arranged. Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee) It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on Monday 24th November 2025, peacefully at home with family by her bedside, of Mrs Margaret Lucy BISHTON, 92 years, widow of PC 157 Bill Bishton. Her next of kin is her son, Mr Andrew Bishton.
Margaret was a Policewoman from 1953 to 1957 known as WPC 20 Ball. Stationed at Chesterfield and Matlock, when she met Bill, married and had a family. She then trained as a Social Worker and worked for 25 years in the Chesterfield and Amber Valley areas. She will be remembered as a Police Matron working in Derby and Alfreton. The Bishton’s had an affinity to Derbyshire Police with her service as a Policewoman, Bill as PC 157 a Vehicle examiner, their son Andrew, PC 405 a Dog handler, daughter in law Joanne, who worked in Chesterfield Comms for 10 years, their son Edward aka Ted who was a Scenes of Crime Officer, and his wife Maureen who was a Police Officer in Derby, all now retired. Margaret's funeral service has been arranged for 11.00am on Monday 5th January 2026 at the Parish Church of St. Thomas, 114 Nottingham Road, Somercotes DE55 4LY and at 12.00 noon for the cremation at Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematorium, Derby Road, Swanwick DE55 1BH. Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee) It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death on the 23rd November, 2025 peacefully in a Nursing Home, after a short illness of ex Insp 998 Leonard aka ‘Len’ George BRIDDON, 84 years. His next of kin is his wife, Mrs Norma Briddon, however any communications should be sent to their daughter, Mrs Helen Wilson.
Dearly loved husband of Norma, Loved father of Jonathan and Helen and Father in Law to Julie and Jim. Cherished Grandad to Ashley, Alex, Ben, Sophie and Chris and a much loved Great Grandad to Tyran, Ryley and Sienna. Len as he was known served mainly in Derby and retired as Inspector in HQ on 31st March, 1998. On retirement he worked for the Derby Association for the Blind and then as a volunteer. Len was well known as a singer with the Derbyshire Police Choir and was on their committee. Len’s collar number was 218 when he joined Derby Borough (date of joining NK) and then in 1967 he moved to Derby County on amalgamation when his collar number was changed to 998. A service to celebrate Len’s life will be held at 11.30am on Thursday 18th December 2025 at St. Johns the Evangelist Church, Mill Street, Derby DE1 3HZ followed by a private family cremation at Markeaton Crematorium. Family flowers only please but donations in lieu can be made to Treetops Hospice, Derby. Sean Murphy (Derbyshire NARPO Committee) |
Copyright © 2026 NARPO Derbyshire Branch. All rights reserved.
Credits: Home page header photograph - 'The Cascade' courtesy of Matthew Bullen, Chatsworth House Trust.
Website: Pete Wise.
Credits: Home page header photograph - 'The Cascade' courtesy of Matthew Bullen, Chatsworth House Trust.
Website: Pete Wise.