PC David Rathband

[karl]

I just read the Police Officer blinded by a gunman some years ago has been found dead at home - how sad, there are no other details but his brother who is a Police Officer in Australia iis flying home.

Rest In Peace

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Yes, a very tragic case of a policeman who's brave actions resulted in him losing his sight and the stress no doubt causing the break up of his marriage.
R.I.P David Rathband.

[Marian]

R.I.P.

[keithgood838]

'Greater love hath no man'

His lost his sight
in the anti-crime fight,
his beloved wife
and now his life.

RIP David Rathband

[mariana44]

This is such a tragedy. It should never have happened, and I believe he should have had more support, which I gather he did not receive.,

[karl]

I just read that he was found hanging from the stairwell of his home, if he could achieve that without sight he was capable of so much more.

From what I read he had just returning from Australia whee he visited is brother and also had some surgery.

I also saw his Chief Constable online who said he did receive support and the Police met him at the airport and took him home, she also said he was returning to work soon - whatever they had planned for him I'm not sure.

I think he was rather brave going all the way to Australia with no sight, I feel sorry for the man - what an ordeal he must have had these past few years.

[ROBERT M.]

Very sad news RIP.

[john]

An awful tragedy. R.I.P.

[bigdipper]

SAD NEWS INDEED AND YOU CAN BE SURE HE NEVER GOT AS MUCH SUPPORT AS HE NEEDED R,I,P DAVID

[karl]

Well according to the Police he did, who knows maybe he refused a lot of it trying to be independent?

[bigdipper]

YOU COULD BE RIGHT KARL WHEN I WAS TOLD ID NEED CARERS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE I WAS HAVING NONE OF THAT AND IN THE END IM GLAD I TOOK THE ADVICE I WAS GIVEN THAT I DID NEED CARE AND I NOW NO THEY WERE RIGHT AND I WAS WRONG

[mariana44]

I am so glad it worked out right for you Paddy. I still believe David did not get the help he needed. Even his wife left him--I do not know why, obviously, but that must have been really tough for him.

[Marian]

We can never know what went on in private in PC Rathband's life following the shooting.
Pleased all worked well for you Paddy.

[karl]

I read before that David had assaulted his wife, however tht may have been out of sheer frustration - it can't be easy losing your sight at that age when you have had an active life.

Either way it's a very sad and tragic end to a life.

I also remember another young policeman years ago who was crippled, he was on talk shows and you could hear the anger and hurt in his voice, he also took his own life as he was unable to cope. It's so long ago I can't remember the details but it did happen in the line of duty

[Lena & Harry Smith]

I agree with Marian, no one knew what went on in David Rathbands life so we can only speculate, and although a sad and tragic case for this man, his wife had to adjust to caring for him which one can imagine was far from easy.
I suppose many people can only take so much, regardless of marriage vows.