PC John Schofield
Today we unveiled our memorial to PC John Schofield of Surrey Constabulary.
On the night of 5th/6th July 1974, he was posted to night duty at Caterham Police station where he was the driver of a two-door marked police patrol car with the call sign ‘Bravo 7’. Beside him sat PC Fullalove and in the rear sat PS Findlay.
On leaving Caterham Police station, he drove along Croydon Road towards Whyteleafe and at about 3.50am, the officers saw a man carrying a bag and decided to stop and question him. Without warning, the man opened fire on the unarmed officers and all three were wounded.
Whilst PC Fullalove and PS Findlay survived the attack, sadly PC Schofield was fatally wounded.
John was just twenty seven years of age.
The memorial, which was unveiled by our Chair Mrs Geraldine Winner is located on Croydon Road at the junction with Tillingdown Hill, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6PL. A private reception was held after for PC Schofield’s friends and family.
This is The Police Memorial Trust’s fifty ninth memorial honouring officers who have sacrificed their lives whilst carrying out their hazardous duties.
