Hero police officer killed on duty honoured

A hero police officer who was killed during a high-speed pursuit has received royal recognition to honour his sacrifice.

PC Kenneth Adams, was just 38 years old, when his police car crashed in thick fog near Bishops Waltham, as he chased a suspect vehicle in 1982.

He was killed alongside his colleague 28-year-old PC Paul Salmon.

Forty-four years on, PC Adams' daughter, Alison Alvey, was presented with the Elizabeth Emblem on behalf of her father, at Hampshire Chief Constable's awards ceremony earlier this month.

PC Adams' death happened a year after he had received a Royal Humane Society award for bravery, when he saved the lives of two people while on holiday.

Alison recalled: "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."

Alison, who was just 13 years old when her dad died, nominated him for the Elizabeth Emblem after learning about it last year.

"I thought that it would be a fitting tribute. 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," she said.

PC Adams served as a Hampshire officer for 20 years, after joining as a police cadet.

He was based in Portsmouth where he had been part of the traffic unit.

He was also a keen cricketer and played for the force team.

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."

The Elizabeth Emblem, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II, is awarded to those who have died in public service to recognise the ultimate sacrifice they made while dedicating their lives to helping their communities.