Friends, family and police gather to remember trio killed on Braybrook Street
PC Geoffrey Fox, TDC David Wombwell, 25, and DS Christopher Head
The Metropolitan Police Service today (12 August) paid tribute along with family and friends to three police officers murdered near East Acton tube fifty years ago.
Shortly after 3.15pm on 12 August 1966, Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, 30; Temporary Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25; and, PC Geoffrey Fox, 41, were shot dead in Braybrook Street close to Wormwood Scrubs prison.
The plain-clothes officers were on duty as the crew of a police ‘Q car’, call sign ‘Foxtrot One One’, when they approached a van. Christopher Head and David Wombwell were in the course of questioning the occupants when they were callously shot by Harry Maurice Roberts and an accomplice.
Geoffrey Fox, who had remained in the police car in front following procedures, fell victim to those same men moments later.
Roberts opened fire on the officers when he feared they would discover the firearms his gang was planning to use in an armed robbery. He shot dead two of the officers, while one of his accomplices fatally shot the third.
Following the shootings, Roberts hid in Thorley Wood in Hertfordshire to avoid capture. A £1,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. Roberts used his military training to evade capture for 96 days. He was finally captured by police while sleeping rough in a barn.
Roberts was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. He served nearly 48 years in prison and was released in January 2015 at the age of 78.
Family members, former colleagues, members of the community and serving officers gathered at the memorial in Braybrook Street to commemorate the fallen officers at 3pm.
Chief Superintendent Gideon Springer, Borough commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, said: "It is only right and proper that we gather together on this day to remember Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, Temporary Detective Constable David Wombwell, and Police Constable Geoffrey Fox, and the ultimate sacrifice that they made in protecting the people of London. They are gone but never forgotten."
Councillor Stephen Cowan, of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said: "Today we remember these officers for their bravery that led to their lives being cruelly taken while they protected our community. In doing so we not only proudly honour those three police officers and their families, we also honour all who serve to keep us safe and out of harm’s way today."
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey, added: "Today's commemoration of the tragic events from 50 years ago serves as a reminder to us all of the grave dangers police officers face as they go about serving the public. Today we stand with the families of the three officers, and join them in remembering and honouring them for their duty. The Metropolitan Police Service will never forget the sacrifice they made."
August 12, 2016
