‘John was a respected colleague and friend to many within North-east policing’

A top North-east policeman today paid tribute to a former officer who died after 14 years in a coma.

John Alcock passed away at home on Saturday, October 7, after suffering from a chest infection.

Pc Alcock was on duty and on his way from Elgin to Balmoral to guard Prince Charles when the police car he was in was hit by another vehicle.

The policeman suffered a severe brain injury in the crash on August 13, 2003, that left him in a coma that lasted 14 years.

John’s funeral will be held at Fochabers Church at noon on Friday, with all who knew him welcome to attend.

Donna Alcock was by her beloved John’s side at their home in Garmouth, near Fochabers, during his last moments.

And Chief Inspector Murray Main, of Police Scotland, today paid tribute to John.

He said: “It was with great sadness we received the news of the passing of John Alcock.

“John was a much respected colleague and friend to many within policing in the North-east.

“On behalf of Police Scotland I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who worked with him.”

Doug Keil, ex-general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “I knew John when he joined the police in Aberdeen from the Royal Marine Commandos in 1986.

“He was a very nice, decent lad who got on well with his colleagues. He worked there and in Elgin and Banff, as well as in Holland for the Lockerbie trial.

“He was on Royalty protection duties when the devastating road accident happened.

“John’s family did an amazing job in looking after him and the wider police family did what it could to assist in that.

“All of our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

The Evening Express said yesterday John’s funeral would take place on Saturday.

The service will, in fact, take place at St Mary’s Church, Fochabers, on Friday at noon.