Roger Brereton

Died

19 August 1987

Age

Rank

Police Constable

Force

Thames Valley Police

Cause

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Responding to reports of gunfire he was shot when confronted by the gunman. Posthumously awarded a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Roll of Honour Citation

Responding to reports of gunfire he was shot when confronted by the gunman. Posthumously awarded a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Circumstances

Rushing to the scene of berserk gunman in Hungerford his police car was fired upon 23 times by the gunman. Four of the rounds hit and killed Roger who had freely gone towards a gunman who had already killed a number of others.

Posthumously awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.

The Hungerford Massacre as it became known began when a 27 year old man embarked on an armed rampage.

PC Roger Brereton was one of four police officers first to respond following a 999 call to Newbury Police Station at 12.40pm reporting a shooting incident. The officers planned their approach and as agreed PC Brereton entered South View, a narrow lane leading to Hungerford Common.

The armed man emerged suddenly and shot repeatedly at PC Brereton, hitting him and causing his police car to crash. Despite this PC Brereton used his VHF radio to warn the Force Control Room. The man again opened fire on PC Brereton using an automatic weapon. A total of twenty-four bullets entered the police car.

Posthumously awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Image from the funeral of PC Brereton.