Street names to honour Durham police officers killed in line of duty
Durham police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty are to be remembered as part of a new housing development.
The new Aykley Woods estate is on the site of the old police headquarters just north of the city centre.
Persimmon Homes has unveiled plans to name streets after six fallen officers dating back to the 1920s.
They are:
:: Pc Matthew Walls Straughan, 36, who was shot in 1927 by a man on whom he had just served a summons.
:: Sergeant Robert Little, 46, who was killed by fumes rescuing an elderly woman trapped in a burning house in 1930.
:: Pc William Ralph Shiell, 28, who was shot chasing two burglars in 1940.
:: Sergeant Stanley Woodward, 36, who was shot by a sniper while seconded to the British Police Unit in Cyprus in 1958.
:: Detective Constable James Brian Porter, 31, who was shot dead whilst chasing two armed robbers in 1982.
:: Pc Keith Maddison, 46, who died chasing two suspects from a stolen vehicle in 1997.
The first phase of the development will include Woodward Way and Maddison Court, with the second phase set to include Shiell Heights and Straughan Crescent.
Street names for the next phase are yet to be agreed but will include reference to the final two officers, James Brian Porter and Robert Little.
Chief Constable Mike Barton said: I am delighted Persimmon has honoured our fallen officers in this way, allowing their memory to live on in bricks and mortar.
The Aykley Heads site will always have a special place in our hearts here in Durham, as it's where our old headquarters stood proud for almost 50 years.
It seems a very fitting tribute to those who lost their lives protecting the public of County Durham and Darlington that they are remembered at a place so important to Durham Constabulary and our history.''