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Incident
Alongside a colleague, Sergeant Forth responded to a late-night call reporting a case of domestic violence and a broken window on a housing estate in Sunniside, Gateshead.
Having arrived on scene, William encountered a twenty-six-year-old man who, while under the influence of alcohol and tranquillisers, then attacked the officer, beating him with palings from a fence before stabbing him in the heart, lung and kidney.
For his actions Sergeant Forth was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
William joined Northumbria Police in 1979 and served in Sunderland. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989 and later seconded to the district training centre at Aykley Heads in Durham. On his return to Northumbria he served in areas including Felling and Whickham, in Gateshead.
Prior to his death, William was working towards becoming an Inspector and had been commended by a judge for his bravery while tackling two armed men.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Forth served with the Northumbria Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Forth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Northumbria Police has lost 11 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 691 officers killed feloniously in ENG, 24.8% of the 2,786 remembered there.
William is one of 1,170 officers killed feloniously in United Kingdom, 30.9% of the 3,791 remembered there.
William 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 1993, 2 officers in ENG were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 147.
In 1993, 9 officers in United Kingdom were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 216 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 167.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 34. Of the 620 killed feloniously in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
William was 34. Of the 1,048 killed feloniously in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 36.
William was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 9.3% of these deaths in ENG; May holds the most, 12.4%. Sundays: 15.3%.
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in United Kingdom; May holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 18.2% of all 11 deaths at Northumbria 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
Northumbria Police has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Shirley Moses
Aug 29, 1976
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Malcolm Drummond Cavagin Jul 5, 1981
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Daniel Buckley Feb 14, 1982
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Bernard Leslie Bull Jan 31, 1991
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Michael Urwin Dec 1, 1992
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William Forth
Mar 21, 1993
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Samuel Donaldson McClughin Apr 22, 1996
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Joseph Geoffrey Carroll
Apr 13, 2006
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Philip Gunn May 21, 2010
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David Rathband
Feb 29, 2012
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Neil Pattinson
Feb 27, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Northumbria Police are honored on badge.nw.
