ANDREW MONTGOMERYFormer Staffordshire police chief Andrew Montgomery died on April 13, 2010, aged 78, following a battle with cancer.He had served there for 40 years, at the police HQ and also been a former divisional commander at Leek. On his retirement in 1991, he was Staffordshire Police's longest serving officer.His son, David, said: "Dad was a fine man who spent his life serving others and an absolute gentleman to all who knew and met him."We can't believe he has gone, but he had suffered enough and had borne his illness with courage and dignity."Former colleague and friend Harold Wright, said: "Andrew was an excellent police officer, he was devoted and dedicated. He was a reserved man in many ways, quiet but firm."It was a privilege to have known him as a friend and colleague."He was survived by his wife Margaret, son David and grandsons James and Michael.Mr Montgomery joined Staffordshire Police in 1951 after serving in the RAF.He was based at Burton as a constable and a sergeant before moving to the Central Traffic Group at the Stafford Headquarters as an inspector in 1967.For the next 15 years he held a number of different posts at headquarters, rising to become deputy divisional commander of the traffic division.In 1982 he transferred to Lichfield, where he was an operational commander during the miners' strike.He was then promoted to chief superintendent and appointed divisional commander of Leek before taking command of Stafford division in 1988.Mr Montgomery remained Stafford's operational commander until his retirement. During that time he was in charge of many major incidents in the town, including numerous royal visits and the IRA assassination attempt on former Governor General of Gibraltar, Sir Peter Terry, at his home in Milford.Mr Montgomery's devotion to duty was recognised in the 1990 New Year's Honours when he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal.Following retirement, he was chairman of the Stafford sub-branch of the National Association for Retired Police Officers until 2008 and Staffordshire branch secretary until 2005.Gerry Robinson, current branch secretary, said: "He was a gentleman to work with. He treated everybody kindly and was fair and firm."Mark Judson, Staffordshire Police Federation chairman, had known Mr Montgomery for many years. He said: "Andrew was a very committed police officer and even after his retirement was heavily involved with NARPO."
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