Joseph Stewart Drake

Constable Joseph Drake was killed and another Constable escaped with severe shock, when a stolen lorry being pursued by colleagues crashed into the road block they had established on the roadway between Bonnybridge and Dennyloanhead.

Constable Drake, who was stationed at Falkirk, had only returned there the previous year after six years at Drymen.  He joined the police in 1953, serving first at Falkirk and then spells in Stirling, Causewayhead and Drymen.

Chief Constable Gray said,

“It is part of a policeman’s job that he may be called upon to risk his life and members of the police force accept this. But it makes it no easier to bear when a tragedy like this happens.”

The funeral of Constable Drake took place to Camelon Cemetery after a service at Bainsford Parish Churel. Almost 500 officers and other mourners attended.

He was survived by his wife, three daughters and son.