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Incident
As he went to assist a colleague who had just been shot and wounded while investigating two men acting suspiciously outside Leeds Minster in Kirkgate, Sergeant Speed confronted one of the men and was shot through the neck and killed.
John was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Sergeant Speed’s funeral took place at Leeds Parish Church, only yards from where he was killed.
He was survived by his wife and their ten-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and their ten-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Sergeant Speed served with the West Yorkshire Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Speed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Yorkshire Police has lost 16 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 691 officers killed feloniously in ENG, 24.8% of the 2,786 remembered there.
John is one of 1,170 officers killed feloniously in United Kingdom, 30.9% of the 3,791 remembered there.
John 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 1984, 4 officers in ENG were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 147.
In 1984, 13 officers in United Kingdom were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 216 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 167.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 39. Of the 620 killed feloniously in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
John was 39. Of the 1,048 killed feloniously in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 36.
John was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.7% of these deaths in ENG; May holds the most, 12.4%. Wednesdays: 16.8%.
October holds 8.2% of these deaths in United Kingdom; May holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 14.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 18.8% of all 16 deaths at West Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Police has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Alfred Patrick Looby Aug 16, 1984
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John Richard Speed
Oct 31, 1984
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David Andrew Sykes Jul 28, 1986
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David Leitch Feb 5, 1990
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Terence Irving
Dec 18, 1991
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John David Cowman May 12, 1992
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Andrew Winterburn
Sep 3, 2003
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Ian Nigel Broadhurst
Dec 26, 2003
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Sharon Beshenivsky
Nov 18, 2005
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Conal Daood Hills
Nov 19, 2006
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Ian David Walker
Oct 10, 2007
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David Alan Heptinstall Jun 30, 2008
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Perviz Ahmed
Jul 31, 2011
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Mark Goodlad
Oct 24, 2011
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Tony Sweeney
Dec 27, 2012
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Jack Cummings
May 19, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from West Yorkshire Police are honored on badge.nw.
