Officer to return medals over snub to hero Oake

John Scheerhout

January 15, 2007

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Dorset Police Federation chairman Clive Chamberlain

Dorset Police Federation chairman Clive Chamberlain 1/2 Play Slideshow

A POLICE leader will return his medals to Tony Blair this week in protest at the government's refusal to honour murdered Manchester detective Stephen Oake.

Pc Clive Chamberlain, chairman of the Dorset Police Federation will post his Long Service and Queen's Jubilee medal to the prime minister, with a letter expressing his fury at the refusal to hand Dc Oake a George Cross.

The father-of-three was stabbed to death by terrorist Kamel Bourgass in a house raid in Crumpsall in 2003.

The M.E.N. reported in November how Pc Chamberlain intended to return his medals.

And with the fourth anniversary of the tragedy this week, he will carry out his promise.

He said: "I'm disgusted. It seems you can buy an honour but deserving one doesn't matter.

"The medals don't mean anything, not any more."

Should the government have done more to honour Stephen Oake? Have your say.

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Showing comments 1 to 19 and replies | View All

Ace Riley, manchester (15/01/2007 at 15:33)

Well done to this man,having the conviction to tell this country what he thinks is a wrong ?Stephen Oaks should be rewarded. Or every other police officer who dies inn the execution of his duty dies for nothing? Well done again to this policeman. All you other policemen should stand and be counted.....................

ged, salford6 (15/01/2007 at 15:40)

i agree with blair the police need to get there own house in order pronto,its a sad indicment on the police that they should offer up a murdered colleague as martyr in order to side step corruption and staged incompetance,

Mike, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 15:59)

If dying saving your colleagues doesn't warrant an award for bravery, then I really don't know what does!

And today it's just been released that they have only just stopped the traditional practice of a knighthood for any ambassador of a country the Queen makes an official visit to that year.

I'll happily host the Queen if she'd like to come visit Manchester in return for a knighthood, rather than die saving my colleagues so that I could then not have my selfless and heroic act recognised and brushed under the carpet...

j, mcr (15/01/2007 at 16:02)

Ged, Stephen Oake died whilst trying to protect his colleagues when he was arresting a person who planned to kill many innocnent people. He was a lot braver than you will ever be. From reading your comment, i can tell you don't have a clue what you are on about.

Dirk Diggler, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 16:02)

Ged,
I bet you are one of those people who are always slagging off the police. Yes there are a small number of bad apples in the police as there are in any discipline. What your brain seems to scoot over is the fact that DC Stephen Oake died in the line of duty preventing a terrorist escaping and injuring more officers. He deserves this award.

Please sign the petition at

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DC-Stephen-Oake/

Ace Riley, manchester (15/01/2007 at 16:37)

We see people getting medals for singing and making millions and yet when a policeman dies saving people its left up to people like nyself to complain to get him recognised? This so called breat country of ours has hit rock bottom.We used to celebratec our brave people?now we see them as just another number .Stop knocking these brave policemen.

JK, City Centre (15/01/2007 at 17:09)

I don't see why someone should get a medal for being murdered. It is very sad that he died, but I don't see that it makes him any braver than any other policeman in a similar situation, or indeed anyone who risks their life as part of their job. I don't doubt for one minute that he was a brave man, but I don't see why the fact that he was the unlucky officer who happened to be killed makes him more worthy of a medal than anyone else.

Colin Yates, Bury, Lancashire (15/01/2007 at 17:17)

It is typical of this government when a man lays down his life without a second thought for himself they cannot bring themselves to give him a medal. I am absolutely disgusted.

Steve, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 18:05)

Being killed on duty doesn't necesarily warrant an award. In the same week Stephen Oake died a Leicester firefighter, Bob Millar, died whilst searching a blazing premise for itinerants. Ask any firefighter does if he would have wanted an award and the vast majority would say no, it's risk he took and lost doing his job. What the Leicester firefighter DID NOT GET was the recognition from the media or public that he had made that sacrifice. What annoyed firefighters nationallty is that Stephen Oake's sacrifice got personal recognition from Tony Blair and so it should, but Bob Millar's sacrifice was studiously ignored. He may not have wanted any award but he deserved the recognition for paying the ultimate sacrifice not a snub from our country's leader.

Pete, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 18:35)

ged what can i say, your a million miles out of touch with reality if stephen oake hadnt have done what he did that day then maybe you wouldnt be alive today, these terrorists may have set of bombs or released poisons that could have killed you, me or friends and family

Harry, BOLTON (15/01/2007 at 19:50)

Sorry,but my uncle was killed in 1917 in The Somme along with thousands of others doing what was expected of them, in the line of duty. NO MEDALS

snowpatrol, Manchester (15/01/2007 at 21:20)

No, I dont think this Officer should receive a medal, he died doing his job. Do you think giving his family a medal will make things right. Move on. Officers know the risks when they sign up for the job.

Ron Curliss, Melbourne Australia (16/01/2007 at 03:25)

l was sorry to see Pc Chamberlain returning his medals, but l do congratulate him on his action. A pity more members don't follow his lead. His comments re being able to to buy honours, but not being awarded one in the course of duty is disgusting. But then again has Blair or any other notable Minister had to face real danger in their jobs. l think not, except feeding their faces at functions. l know what it is like as l served for over 33 years out here in the Police.

Deeman, Trafford (16/01/2007 at 08:47)

Ged and JK, have you ever bothered to familiarise yourself with the detailed circumstances of DC Oake's death? It appears not. This was a selfless act, a split second decision, by a regular guy (who happened to be a hard working police officer), to tackle a knife wielding maniac and stop him attacking his colleagues. The surrounding circumstances are almost a separate issue entirely - although have you ever spared a moment to appreciate the murderer was a bomb-making terrorist ?
Frankly, I'm disgusted at your mockery. DC Oake certainly didn't leave for work that day thinking he might be killed - no-one in the emergency services gets paid enough for that. If you've got a grudge against the police - that's an issue for you, don't taint the death of a brave man with your prejudice.

Dave, Bury (16/01/2007 at 09:18)

Several other police officers have died or been murdered whilst doing their duty such as Alison Armitage and Raj Ahmed whose selfless acts appear to have been forgotten by the Police Federation who neither called for medals for them or sent theirs back! is it that uniform officers are not viewed as glamorous as a special branch officer?
Its time we moved on form this debate regarding a medal for Steven.

Gordon, Salford (16/01/2007 at 10:58)

I used to be a Policeman. Most cops do not want medals or any special recognition as they see themselves as "just doing their job". Whilst I agree these particular circumstances are tragic I don't think that Mr Oake or his family would want to be awarded any special recognition. Just to be clear I didn't know him or his family - the reason I make this comment is purely from the fact that most emergency services personnel don't want a fuss - they simply see themselves as performing their duty.

mancunian, australia (17/01/2007 at 00:23)

Good on ya' Clive Chamberlain.
Did you deserve a medal for long service? You were gainfully employed earning good money no doubt. On top of this you received two medals.

SHELBY, WORSLEY (17/01/2007 at 07:33)

Officers in the emergency/armed services should be recognised by their organisation, Government and the public when they lose their lives performing acts which go above and beyond the call of duty. Their duty does not go to losing their lives but unfortunately circumstances are that this happens. DC Oake deserves to be recognized for his actions. I also believe that many of our armed personnel serving abroad also deserve to be recognized in this way as do firefighters and ambulance personnel. It might be better if someone receiving an honour from the Queen in the recent New Year Honours who is easily recognisable were to REFUSE their honour in support of ALL the people who go above and beyond the call of duty and lose their lives for the good of their country............Heroes, all of them

Sarah, Manchester (18/01/2007 at 16:19)

"The decoration is only awarded 'for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger".'

I suggest people take a look at the george cross website and see the sorts of acts of bravery the medal is awarded for to put this discussion into context.

"Air Stewardess Barbara Harrison who was posthumously honoured in 1969 who helped many passengers escape after a fire crippled a BOAC jet at Heathrow airport before perishing in the wreck."

What about Sharon Beshenivsky, shot whilst attending a robbery? I'm sure there are many more examples of police officers who died whilst performing their duty but IMHO that's not enought to warrant THIS medal, according to the protocol given.

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