Heartless vandals destroy memorial to fallen Coventry police officer

WEST Midlands Police are calling on the public’s help after a memorial plaque for PC Peter Charles Guthrie was found smashed.

PC Guthrie was shot dead in 1972 – as a newly married 21 year-old – while he was investigating an intruder alarm at a shop in Coventry.

His killer was convicted of murder – he had visited the gun-shop numerous times on the day, when he broke into the shop knowing it would trigger the alarm he waited with a loaded pump action shotgun for an officer to show up.

PC Guthrie joined the Coventry City Police Cadets and then became a regular officer in Coventry – just seven weeks after he was married, he was shot dead by someone who had decided to ‘kill a copper’.

After his death he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry and 50 years later the Police Memorial Trust unveiled the plaque in his honour.

The trust placed the Memorial Plaque near where he fell, to remind the public of the ultimate sacrifice Peter made for the community he served.

On April, 7, officers were called to the plaque on Far Gosford Street, Coventry where it was found smashed and are trying to find out what happened to it.

Chair of The Police Memorial Trust, Michael Winner, said: “We can assure the officer’s family, friends and colleagues that the memorial will be replaced.

“The trust appeal to anyone with information about the incident to contact West Midlands Police or by calling Crimestoppers.”

Paul Maddocks, chair of the Lord Mayor of Coventry for peace and reconciliation committee said smashing the plaque was a sad act probably done in a ‘drunken rage’.

“Any form of violence is sad and its affect spread far and wide to the family, the community and other members of the police force.”

Anyone with any information should ring 101.