Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will be honouring the memory of PC Ian Rodgers, who died in 1975 while on duty in Stockport. 

PC Rodgers had been searching for children after reports they were trespassing on a railway line, but sustained fatal injuries after being hit by a train near Brinnington. 

He was only 25 years old when he died, and had a wife and two young sons.

Now, GMP is honouring his memory by naming a suite after him at Cheadle Heath Police Station, and by planting a tree at GMP's Sedgley Park training headquarters.

Ian, with his wife Pauline and two sons Dan and Andy (Image via GMP)

Ian's widow, Pauline, now 76, was a teacher in Stockport and has now retired to live in Salisbury. Their two sons, Dan and Andy, are aged 51 and 49 respectively

Pauline worked as a teacher in Stockport, and now lives in Salisbury. She said: "Pauline said: "Ian was first and foremost a wonderful dad, husband and exceptional police officer. [...]

"Our family unit was developing but Ian's accident and death in April 1975 shattered that unit and left an unfillable void in the following years.  

"Ian gave much of his spare time to the local community he worked in, spending many hours helping Stockport youngsters with their swimming and lifesaving skills. He also helped with a local Scout troop and attended church whenever possible."

Ian's son Dan attended the ceremony with his wife and two children (Image - GMP)

Dan, who now lives in Australia, also visited Stockport for the commemoration ceremony. 

"Sadly, neither my brother nor I have any memories of Dad", he said. "I was two-and-half when he died, my brother only four months old.

"Undoubtedly that moment changed our lives forever and left our family traumatised and lost. 

"We have both always been so proud of Dad, of his selfless actions in saving children and his outstanding commitment to family, us and particularly our mum. 

"Mum will always say that she lost her 'everything' when Dad died and has never remarried. Dad was absolutely the love of her life; her rock, her strength and passion.  

"We truly believe that Dad is an absolute Stockport hero and should be remembered in that way."

PC Rodgers will live on in Stockport memory (Image - GMP)

Speaking of the commemoration, Chief Superintendent John Webster said: "I was looking through the history of policing in GMP, and in Stockport in particular, and came across the tragic story of PC Rodgers. 

"He was a young man when he lost his life serving the people of Stockport. 

"I believe he is the only Stockport officer ever to have been killed in the line of duty but there is no memorial in Stockport in his honour.

"I wanted to put that right and decided naming the conference suite at Cheadle Heath after him is a fitting tribute."

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