Twenty five years ago this week, Inspector Ray Codling was undertaking routine patrol duty at the Westbound Birch Services on the M62 motorway when he was shot and killed by convicted armed robber Anthony Hughes.
Inspector Codling & Sergeant Jim Bowden were keeping a watch on patrol for a distinctive motorcycle. The rider was wanted in connection with an armed robbery. They come across the bike at the Birch Services at 2.am on September 14th 1989.
They were checking it out when the rider appeared. They noticed the rider had a knife on him so they asked him to come over so they could speak to him.
He responded by producing a gun and shooting Ray Codling twice, fatally. Sergeant Bowden was shot in the leg as he tried to run. The gunman shot Jim Bowden in the chest but the bullet was incredibly, deflected by his notebook.
Then the gunman fled on the bike. People at the services gave assistance until an ambulance arrived. Police forces across the north started a massive manhunt.
The gunman fled to Barnsley looking for a Catholic priest, found a Catholic school and locked himself into the garage at the side of the church and wait for the priest. Spotted by the headmaster who called the police and surrounded the garage but a shot rang out.
The gunman had committed suicide. He turned out to be Anthony Hughes, aged 42, a career criminal.
The memorial service will be held tomorrow at the monument erected in Ray Codling’s honour at the Birch Services.
Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “Ray’s death was a tragic loss which highlights the dangers that police officers face every day whilst doing their job.
“Ray was an excellent police officer and that day will forever be remembered as a day when Greater Manchester Police lost one its most beloved family members. Today all of our thoughts are with his family.”
Ray’s widow Linda Codling said: “Ray loved his job as a police officer and his death was a huge shock that left our family absolutely devastated.
“I’m very proud that the sacrifice he made trying to keep other people safe is being recognised and paid tribute to because he deserves it.
“I’m also extremely grateful to everybody who is coming out to pay their respects. Thank you.”
