Published on | Memorial
Today we remember PC David Green, who was fatally stabbed while on duty in 1975.
David Christopher Green was a cadet with the Birmingham City Police, becoming a regular officer on his 19th birthday, on 28th January 1974. Just over two months later he became a West Midlands Police officer with the merge of local forces on 1st April 1974. He had an interest in cricket and football and had played football for his local division.
He was a bright, intelligent young officer, making steady progress with his training. On 17th July he was on patrol near the Rainbow Suite on High Street. He saw a 16-year-old boy with a knife and tried to arrest him and confiscate the knife.
The youth ran off so PC Green gave chase and arrested him. He was attempting to bring him back into custody but was quickly surrounded by a gang of youths who jostled him and tried to free the prisoner. Another youth stabbed David in the heart and the men ran off. He tried to give chase but after a short distance collapsed. A carving knife was later recovered from a flowerbed outside Rackhams.
Descriptions were given of the assailants and officers rounded up anyone who may have had information and brought them to Steelhouse Lane Police Station. Around 100 individuals were gathered there when officers started interviewing them to determine who were significant witnesses.
Eventually the numbers were whittled down to about 15. Some witnesses were hostile and closed down at first, but after realising the police officer had died, they began to open up. Names were given, and 20-year-old Desmond Arnas Wilson was arrested. He said in a statement that the officer had a hold of him and wouldn’t let him go, so he stabbed him, but had not meant to kill him.
In January 1976 Wilson was convicted of the murder of PC David Green, and of assaulting the officer whilst attempting to prevent the arrest of a 16-year-old for possession of a knife. After passing sentence, the Judge warned the streets of Birmingham must be kept free of thugs.
Three others were convicted for their part in the tragic incident: the 16-year-old for possession of a knife and intent to resist arrest, a 19-year-old for assaulting the officer and intending to prevent the arrest of the 16-year-old and a 22-year-old for assault. The older man was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and the other youths Borstal training.
Prosecution counsel Mr John Owen QC described David Green as a brave and resolute man who was trying to do his job. He said the citizens of Birmingham could be properly proud of him. It was reported that David had already been commended for bravery on three occasions, and his staff appraisal, completed only two days before his death, highlighted his smart appearance and how he was quickly learning from his experiences.
In July 1985 a plaque was unveiled at Steelhouse Lane Police Station dedicated to David, now proudly on display at the Police Museum.
This was at a time when a heated debate was going on within Government, with ministers arguing over whether or not police killers should ever be freed. It was stated in the Mercury article that since the abolition of capital punishment only two men convicted of the murder of police officers had ever been freed.
David will also be remembered at this year’s National Police Memorial Day service in Coventry. Colleagues can still sign up to attend this event, which is being presided over by Matthew Hopley.
Further details about the event can be found here.
