Memento of police chief

A Shropshire woman, whose great grandfather died in police service more than 100 years ago, has been presented with a lasting memento of him.

Christine Brunning, of Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, was presented with a framed copy of a photograph of her great grandfather, Superintendent John Langford, which has been on display in Shrewsbury police station for many years.

It was a chance phone call from the police station which led to Mrs Brunning discovering the exact whereabouts of the picture which shows Mr Langford on horseback leading a police contingent at the opening of Oswestry's new town hall in 1892.

The caption says he served in the Shropshire Constabulary from 1870 to 1896 and died "after being injured following the arrest of a felon on the Horsemarket, Oswestry".

When Shropshire's police commander, Chief Superintendent Guy Rutter, heard Mrs Brunning was going to the station to see the picture, he decided to present her with a framed copy.

Mrs Brunning's father Jack Langford served in the old Shrewsbury Borough and Shropshire Constabularies for 30 years, reaching the rank of inspector before retirement in 1967. She said: "It's a lovely surprise and a really nice gesture. It will be a treasured possession."

The exact nature of Mr Langford's death in1896 is something of a mystery. Mrs Brunning said she thought he had died after being kicked by a horse. If anyone has information, they can write to Richard Ewels, Shrewsbury Police Station, Clive Road, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, SY2 5RW.