Stephen Robin Oake
Detective Constable

Stephen Robin Oake

Greater Manchester Police — Manchester, ENG
Felonious
End of Watch January 14, 2003
Age 40
The Vigil Panel 188 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Constable Oake and colleagues attended at an address in Crumpsall, as part of an immigration operation. The resident was not expected to be there, but the police found three men who had arrived in England illegally three years before. One of the men was not immediately recognised despite being wanted in London in connection a bioterrorism plot to attack the London Underground.

The male was not handcuffed by officers. However, believing that the officers had identified him in connection with the bioterrorism plot, he made an attempt to escape and, in the process of doing so, punched one officer and picked up a kitchen knife. DC Oake went to restrain the suspect but was stabbed eight times in the chest and upper body, including one blow which penetrated his heart.

Despite his extensive injuries which would later prove fatal DC Oake continued trying to help his colleagues bring the male under control. Three other officers suffered stab wounds before the suspect was eventually detained.

There was a full police funeral at Manchester Cathedral which was widely publicised and attended by over 1,000 people including the sitting Prime Minister.

DC Oake was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-GB-GMP-BB3A0243
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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.
Detective Constable Oake served with the Greater Manchester Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Constable Oake.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type State Police
Location Manchester, ENG
Platform Identity gmp.man.eng.gb.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 14, 2003
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Homicide - Stabbed

Detective Constable Stephen Robin Oake is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Greater Manchester Police, 8 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 26.7% of this agency's fallen.

Greater Manchester Police
8
of 30 officers
26.7% Felonious
ENG — Statewide
702
of 2,827 officers
24.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Stephen Robin Oake's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Stephen Robin Oake Compares

Age at Death
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen Robin Oake is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909