Tributes Paid To Nottinghamshire Police Officer Who Died On Duty

Hampshire Police Federation has paid tribute to the heroic officer who lost his life after trying to rescue a man from railway tracks.

Nottinghamshire Police’s Sgt Graham Saville, 46, died after being struck in Balderton, near Newark, last month.

Zoë Wakefield, Federation Chair, said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking that he said goodbye to his wife and kids, went off to work, and then never came home. He had to make that decision to put his life at risk to save somebody else, and I don’t think that there’s many people that would do that.

“But that’s why we joined the police, to look after the public, we put them first before ourselves. It’s just absolutely tragic that he hasn’t survived. I hope that his wife and children will get all the support that they need from the police family and that the tributes that are flowing in will give them some comfort in their darkest times.”

Sgt Saville’s colleagues said his death had left a “huge hole” in the policing family. Officers who worked closely with the father-of-two said his presence would “lift the mood of any shift”.

Simon Riley, Chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation, said: “I cannot convey in words the sadness we all feel at this dreadful news and our hearts go out to Graham’s family, all his colleagues in Nottinghamshire Police and his former colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service, where Graham previously served.

“Graham was a much valued and respected colleague and his passing will resonate deeply throughout policing, not just in Nottinghamshire, but across the whole policing family.

“Graham was the epitome of what we should all strive to be as police officers and his selfless act of bravery in trying to save the life of another human being will not be lost on any of us. His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are also with the officers who attended the scene with Graham last Thursday evening and I would like to publicly pay tribute to them for their professionalism and for the medical assistance they gave him. They are also the best of us and we will continue to provide all the support to them that we can.

“Finally, above all else, Graham was a family man and I cannot even begin to comprehend the sense of loss that his family will be feeling right now.  I would request that his family’s request for privacy is respected.”

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “Graham was a hugely respected and popular colleague and his death in the line of duty has come as an enormous shock to us all.

“Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and we will do everything we can to support them through this unimaginably devastating time.

“It is impossible to put into words how devastating this news is for everyone who loved and respected Graham.”