From Paul Robb NARBTPO Secretary:

It is great sadness that I have to report the death of former Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley earlier today.

Martyn was a personal friend of over 45 years and a highly regarded police officer. He was recently diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer that was terminal. Unfortunately, the illness took him much sooner than was anticipated.

Martyn leaves his wife, Denise, a former BTP Officer, daughter Joanna and son Andrew. He was 73 years of age.

Recent post on the Facebook Retired Lives page from Judith Erickson - a report of the funeral of ex BTP officer Chris Nicolaou, RIP Chris

From Marian Garrick-Crane - Retired Lives FB page. Another member of the BTP has sadly left us. Sgt Rob McCombe died 2 days ago (07/09/2026) after battling cancer for 5 years. A truly lovely man with a great sense of humour.

From Andrew Parkinson - Retired Lives FB page

DI Jim Mcauley passed away on Sunday 6th September 2026 after complications following heart surgery. He was just 58 and had only recently retired from the BTP

Brian Gillett, retired Inspector London South born 11/02/1946

The following sad news has been received from a friend and former colleague of Brian, John Owen

"I’m so sorry to have to tell you that Brian passed away peacefully yesterday with his family around him. He wasn’t in any pain and had only been in the hospice for a couple of days.

He was enormously grateful for all your messages of support. I know it meant a lot to him, so thank you.

Our condolences go to his wife, Carol and son, Jim and daughter, Lisa.

I’m in touch with Jim and I will keep you informed of funeral arrangements.

It is such a sad loss. 

RIP Brian and God Bless You.  You’ve been such a very dear friend and great colleague to many of us in BTP.

John"

Brian joined the Force in 1971 at Dover and served at Tadworth, Waterloo and London South Area HQ. He retired in July 2000 having reached the rank of Inspector. Brian was a wonderful man, passionate about the Police Service and BTP in particular. He was kind, supportive of colleagues and his values earned him the respect of everyone who encountered him. Those fortunate enough to have worked with him were all touched by his humour, knowledge and infectious enthusiasm. 

Paul Robb

BTP Federation has paid tribute to former BTP officer, PC Tom Clough, who died this weekend

Now serving with Cleveland Police, PC Clough and his colleague PC Matthew Blades were killed after a car travelling the wrong way down a dual carriageway crashed into their vehicle in the early hours of Saturday 22 August.

Ryan Griffiths, General Secretary of BTP Federation, said: "Tom served with BTP for 4 years. He was based in Euston, Darlington and Middlesbrough and was well-known, liked and respected by his colleagues.

"His family has described him as a hero who would help anybody, and those of us who knew him would echo that. I know of several instances where Tom went well above and beyond to serve the public; it was simply in his nature."

"We’re devastated by Tom’s loss, and the loss of PC Matthew Blades. Police officers are ordinary men and women who go to work never truly knowing what they might face. These brave colleagues booked on for duty but didn’t make it home to their loved ones. That is a tragedy and their families, friends and colleagues are very much in our thoughts.”

A fundraising page set up to support the officers’ families has received a staggering response - over £400,000 has been donated so far. The page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/.../pc-matthew-blades-and-pc...

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From Chris Bradey on Facebook: Sad news. Retired Sgt Mark Bellchambers has passed away. According to the job intranet Marks funeral has taken place already. I’m told that Mark didn’t have any family and a friend has contacted the force. Very sad. I worked with Mark at CLPS

From Graham Fair via Retired Lives Facebook group - I was informed this afternoon by another retired officer that sadly Paul Fox has passed away. Paul retired as a Sergeant and worked at both Carlisle and Lancaster. R.I.P Paul

From the Retired Lives Facebook group:

Information received from Peter Brown 'I am sorry to be the bearer of sad news, but Pete Atkinson (former Chief Inspector) passed away recently after a long illness. May he Rest in Peace'.

From Brian Gosden (On Facebook)
It is with sadness that I report the death of Robert (Bob) Evans on Sunday 26th July after a long and brave battle with cancer.

Bob joined BTP in August 1991 as a communications officer in FCC at Tavistock Place, later moving to MICC and then to Camden as a Command and Control System Administrator; he retired in 2014. As well as being a loyal member of the communications team, Bob will have been a recognised voice on the phone and radio to many of you across all areas of the force.

Condolences to Bob’s wife Janet, his daughters and grandchildren. RIP Bob.

I will post details of the funeral when I receive them.