PC David Rathband commits suicide

PC David Rathband has tragically died. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

David, as readers of this blog will remember, this was the officer shot in the face by the murderer Raoul Moat. By some miracle David survived but was blinded. David dealt with the devastation of the attack with incredible strength and courage. However it seems the trauma of this insane and wicked attack proved too much and he felt the only option was suicide.

For many people it is the psychological damage caused by violet acts which do the most damage. For an active  person to have to cope with blindness on top of this must be unbearable.

The love and support of family, friends, and colleagues could not save him. Our saving rests with ourselves so however much others want to help, however deep their love, we sometimes they cannot save someone in such pain.

It is a sad and dark day.

I can only add much voice to the others who wish David, and those he left behind all my sympathies.