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Incident
While pursuing two armed robbers, who had just held up the Tile Hill village branch of the Midland Bank on Torrington Avenue, Coventry, PC Carlton’s patrol car was shot at, causing it to crash and become lodged on a bollard.
With his police car stuck, the gunmen approached Gavin and one of them shot the officer at point blank range.
Posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Constable Carlton served with the West Midlands Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Constable Carlton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Midlands Police has lost 46 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Gavin is one of 691 officers killed feloniously in ENG, 24.8% of the 2,786 remembered there.
Gavin is one of 1,170 officers killed feloniously in United Kingdom, 30.9% of the 3,791 remembered there.
Gavin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 2 officers in ENG were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 147.
In 1988, 8 officers in United Kingdom were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 216 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 167.
In 1988, 105 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gavin was 29. Of the 620 killed feloniously in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Gavin was 29. Of the 1,048 killed feloniously in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Gavin was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.3% of these deaths in ENG; May holds the most, 12.4%. Mondays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in United Kingdom; May holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 8.7% of all 46 deaths at West Midlands Police, the 3rd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 24.8% of all 2,786 deaths in ENG, the 3rd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 30.9% of all 3,791 deaths in United Kingdom, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
West Midlands Police has 46 officers remembered here, Gavin among them.
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David Robert Brown
Jul 26, 1974
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David Christopher Green
Jul 17, 1975
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Colin Clive Nicholls
Jul 2, 1976
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Michael George Hewitt
Jul 31, 1976
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Bernard Henry Church
Jul 22, 1977
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Peter James Brett
Aug 28, 1977
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Louis Henry Bennett
Dec 23, 1977
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Brian Lawrence Phillips
May 21, 1978
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Phillip Mark Sanderson
Aug 10, 1978
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Alexander Lawson Hamilton Forrest
Apr 24, 1979
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John Nicholson Pacey
Dec 24, 1979
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David Cameron
Dec 24, 1980
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Paul Kenneth Worth
Apr 30, 1981
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Joseph Anthony O’Brien
Nov 14, 1982
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Andrew Stephen Le Comte
Feb 4, 1984
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Anthonie Tom Edmond Hughes
Apr 28, 1986
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Jeffrey Thomas Barnes
Jul 21, 1986
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Martin Andrew Laucht
Aug 11, 1987
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Geoffrey Ernest Collins
Nov 25, 1987
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Colin John Hall
Nov 29, 1987
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Gavin Richard Carlton
Dec 19, 1988
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Anthony John Salt
Apr 16, 1989
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Colin Graham Pursall
Mar 10, 1990
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Mark Anthony Gumbley
Mar 28, 1990
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Neil Coleman
Oct 30, 1990
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Mark John Woodhead
Jan 26, 1992
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Philip Joseph Kurlinkus
Mar 18, 1993
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David Brennan
Jun 8, 1993
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Robert John Dallow
Dec 17, 1995
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Vanessa Rosemary Carroll
Apr 28, 1996
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Michael Install
Jul 24, 1996
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Malcolm Edward Walker
Oct 4, 2001
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Robert George Ling
Oct 7, 2002
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Michael Swindells
May 21, 2004
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Paul Linden Owen
Oct 20, 2004
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Valroy O’Neil Hodgson
Dec 31, 2004
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Deborah Adele Harman-Burton
Mar 24, 2006
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Ryan Michael Hunt
May 25, 2006
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Jonathan Paul Wade
Mar 12, 2007
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Francis Edward Dodd
Sep 7, 2009
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Keith Malcolm Dobson
Sep 3, 2011
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Ramin Tolouie
Oct 16, 2011
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Michael Dale Chapman
Apr 14, 2014
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Martin James Peter Gillespie
Apr 23, 2015
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Resham Singh Nahal
Jun 26, 2020
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Paul Frear
Sep 22, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
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