Tributes paid to former police officer John Hadfield

John Hadfield, 74, who was stabbed while on the force, supported a campaign to honour officers injured on duty and also gave his time to help veterans' charities.

He died on July 14 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year. 

Despite the obstacles he overcame during his life, Mr Hadfield faced each day with "great determination" and a "sense of humour", his family said.

Mr Hadfield spent many years in the Army before working as an officer for Dorset Police in Bridport, Dorchester, and Weymouth for ten years.

In the 1980s, he met his soon-to-be wife Ann who was working at the bar at the Victoria Hotel in Dorchester which her father owned. 

The couple married in 1986, the same year he was transferred to the Regional Crime Squad in Bristol.

John Hadfield and his wife Ann (Image: Ann Hadfield)

The couple had three children together, Rachel, Joe and Michael. Mr Hadfield also had three children from a previous marriage. 

In December 1990, while making an arrest for an attempted burglary in Bristol city centre, Mr Hadfield was stabbed five times.

He was subsequently medically discharged in July 1994 after 19 years and ten months of service.

He developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since the incident and has previously done charity work, supporting Combat Stress and The Household Cavalry Foundation - charities that support veterans with mental health and PTSD.

READ MORE: Retired policeman finishes bus pass adventure for charity

John Hadfield at John O'Groats (Image: Martini Archive)

Ann said: “His career and job were very important to him. He was a very courageous and determined sort of chap. When he set his mind to do something he would see it through."

"But he also had a cheeky sense of humour which we'll all really miss."

Gardening was one of his favourite hobbies which, along with his charity work, became a therapeutic way of dealing with his PTSD. 

Ann added: "Some of my fondest memories are with him creating beautiful gardens.

"He’d also be passionate about growing flowers, grasses, ferns and vegetables. Even with his hobbies if he wanted to do something he would be a hundred per cent committed and it would consume a lot of time and energy for him.

"One of the ways he coped is to have something that he was really absorbed in."

John Hadfield and his wife Ann (Image: Ann Hadfield)

During the last year of his life, Mr Hadfield, who lived in Poole, had supported a campaign by retired Sussex police officer Thomas Curry to ensure that officers, who are injured on duty and then medically discharged, receive a government award in recognition of their service.

Mr Curry said: "Even though John was terminally ill and knew he only had at best a few weeks to live he fully supported the campaign which he knew he could never benefit from himself.

John was an army veteran and former officer for Dorset Police (Image: Tom Curry)

"I never had the privilege of meeting John in the few months I knew him but I spoke with him several times on the telephone and he was always upbeat and matter-of-fact about his situation.

"I am in awe of his bravery both when he served as an old-school copper and in the sad lead-up to his passing."

He added: "John never received any form of medal recognition of his injury on duty or even to show any connection to the service. 

"He said to me on more than one occasion, 'It will be too late for me but not for others and I will do anything to help boost and promote the campaign'.

"It is fitting that I have decided to dedicate the campaign to the memory of the caring and brave beyond belief, John Hadfield."

More information about the campaign can be found via the Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091080585216247