Special Constables to walk 28,000 steps each in memory of Glenn Goodman, murdered on the A64 by IRA gunman in 1992

North Yorkshire Police’s Special Constables are each walking 28,000 steps this weekend in memory of Special Constable Glenn Goodman, who was murdered by a member of the IRA 28 years ago.
Special Constable Glenn GoodmanSpecial Constable Glenn Goodman
Special Constable Glenn Goodman

Mr Goodman, 37, and colleague PC Sandy Kelly were on patrol in the early hours of 7 June 1992 when they were both shot after making a routine stop of a suspicious vehicle on the A64 near Tadcaster.

PC Sandy Kelly was seriously wounded but survived. Mr Goodman tragically died later that day.

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Paul Magee, a member of the IRA, was jailed for life for his murder but later released under the Good Friday agreement.

Poignantly, the anniversary of his death falls on National Specials Weekend which concludes National Volunteers’ Week – a weeklong celebration to recognise and say thank you for the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK who, to use his own words, do it “to make a difference”.

Unable to pay tribut in their traditional way due to restrictions in place around Covid-19, the force decided to mark the date of his death with something that all ‘Specials’ could take part in whether on or off duty, working their full-time jobs or if they are shielding at home.

From 6am today until midnight on Sunday 7 June the force’s Specials will each complete 28,000 steps in PC Goodman's memory.

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Special Chief Officer Sharron Moverley-Holmes knew him and was also a serving Special Constable when he died.

She said: “This weekend we remember Special Constable Glenn Goodman on the 28th anniversary of his death while on duty on 7 June 1992.

“As we celebrate volunteers’ week, it’s a poignant and sobering reminder of the risks our extraordinary volunteers are prepared to face to protect the people of North Yorkshire.

“We will never forget Glenn and despite the current restriction not allowing us to pay tribute to him in the way we usually would, we are still remembering and honouring the sacrifice he made but just in a slightly different way this year.

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“Our thoughts are with his family friends and former colleagues. We will never forget.”

Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “Glenn was volunteering to help make a difference in North Yorkshire when his life was so tragically and senselessly cut short.

"His death was a dark and tragic moment in the history of North Yorkshire Police and he will never be forgotten – we will always remember him and the ultimate sacrifice that he and his family paid.

“Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved Glenn – a true hero – as we remember him on the 28th anniversary of his death.”

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Special Constables have the same power, uniform and responsibilities as full-time police officers but volunteer on a part-time basis, managing their role alongside their normal employment.

They come from all walks of life and backgrounds, bringing a diverse range of skills and experience to the role.

The force currently has 80 Specials who actively volunteer their time for the force with a further 14 student Special Constables from across the force starting their initial training later this month.

For more information about Special Constables visit northyorkshire.police.uk/specials