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'There's no better role model'

Kathryn Ryan
31/ 1/2008

THE police officer who partnered PC Christopher Hart, who died in a road smash, has paid tribute to his colleague as ‘a great father’.

The 40-year-old died earlier this month when his police van collided with a car as he responded to an incident.

He died instantly from injuries.

PC Colin Harrison was his passenger and escaped with minor injuries.

At PC Hart’s funeral on Monday, January 28, he paid tribute to his partner who lived in Ainsworth and was father to six-year-old Luke.

PC Harrison said: "I remember when Chris first came to Bury. At times he appeared daunted with the new and unique work environment police work offered.

"From the outset, though, I could see that he was very keen and eager to learn tackling every task with a positive attitude and a clear path forwards, and it was that focus that moulded him in to the proficient and dedicated police officer.

"After recently becoming a father myself, I can’t think of a better role model for me to try and emulate than Chris. I used to watch how he interacted with Luke and saw how positively Luke responded to him."

The youngster was accompanied to Radcliffe Crematorium by his mum Jane.

Over 250 local police formed a guard of honour as the hearse carrying PC Hart’s coffin left Bury Police Station for the crematorium and a mounted unit escorted the cortege.

Among the mourners were the Chief Constable of GMP, Michael Todd, and members of PC Hart’s team.

Superintendent Peter Schofield, Bury’s deputy divisional commander, said: "I was privileged to have played some part in commending Chris for his calm professionalism, and his bravery, when in March 2005, he and a colleague climbed through a smashed window, met the threats and the missiles hurled by the drunken and enraged man inside the house, and later rescued an eight-year-old boy the man had threatened to kill."

Click on the video window for Channel M's report ...