Officer who died while trying to save a drowning man.

PC Gordon Alexander Connolly died on January 5, 1983, while trying to rescue a drowning man. He was 24.

At about 1.50pm that day, 10 minutes prior to the end of their shift, Gordon and two colleagues - Constables Angela Bradley and Colin Morrison - together with other officers responded to an emergency call to a man in difficulties having entered the sea to rescue his dog near Gynn Square Blackpool.

The weather was stormy and the sea icy cold with huge waves battering against the sea wall. Forming a human chain and using ropes and lifebelts the officers attempted to save the life of the drowning man.

Swept away by the waves, within 10 minutes these officers and others were in difficulties in the water and despite attempts to help each other and ongoing rescue attempts by other officers, all three were lost.

The three officers were jointly posthumously awarded the Constabulary's William Garnett Cup for the most gallant deed of the year.

Memorial plaques were erected near the scene and at Constabulary and Divisional Headquarters.

Gordon had completed 6 years service on uniform patrol at Blackpool and had received two previous Chief Constable's Commendations for courageous conduct.

He was survived by his wife who gave birth to their son six months later.