By Adam Morris
Scottish police have paid tribute to an officer in England who died in a car crash while responding to a 999 call.
PC Bradley Corke, 27, was critically injured in the collision on March 19, and passed away in hospital two days later.
He was an officer with Kent Police, where he had served since 2022, based in the town of Tonbridge and working in communities in the west of the county.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), said the tragic incident was a reminder of the risks that all officers face.
“We send our condolences to PC Corke’s family, friends and colleagues, and stand united with officers across the UK,” he said.
“It’s a reminder of the danger officers place themselves in every day to keep communities safe – when everyone runs away from an incident, they go towards it.”
The crash happened in the village of Farningham while PC Corke and a colleague were responding to an emergency call.
“He was proud to be PC Bradley Corke”
Family statement
Another officer was seriously injured in the incident, along with a member of the public who was travelling in a separate vehicle.
PC Corke’s family described him as “one of the finest young men to have walked this earth”.
Their statement described him as “a credit to himself, to us as parents, and to all his family and friends who loved him dearly”.
“He was proud to be PC Bradley Corke,” they added. “And in turn we are proud of his dedication to the profession.
“Son, we are broken and will probably never recover from your loss, but we hope we can draw strength from all that you are and forever will be.”
Kent Police also paid tribute.
“Bradley selflessly gave up his life while trying to save the lives of others who were in danger,” the force said.
“His bravery, dedication and passion for helping others will not be forgotten.”
Neil Mennie, chair of the Kent Police Federation, added: “We are all absolutely heartbroken.
“Policing is a family, and words cannot describe the pain we are all feeling and how this news will affect us in the days, weeks and months ahead.”