The death has occurred of retired police officer Derryck Corrighan, of Keswick, who served with the Cumbria force for more than 30 years and was known as a true gentleman. He was 74 years old.
Born in Jarrow, Derryck Robert Corrighan was the oldest son of the late Leslie and Audrey Corrighan. He had a younger brother, Jeff.
When Derryck was six the family moved to St Annes-on-Sea, where his parents managed the Knowsley Hotel. They moved to Cumbria in the early 1960s when Mr and Mrs Corrighan took over the Golden Lion Hotel, Maryport.
Derryck wanted to become a policeman from an early age, possibly because of stories he heard from grandfather, Sergeant Robert Grayson, who was a police officer in Barnard Castle and Jarrow.
After leaving school at the age of 16, Derryck took the first step in pursuit of his goal when he became a police cadet. Because his parents ran licensed premises he had to move into digs in Workington.
While back at his parents’ home at weekends he sometimes checked tax discs on vehicles in the car park to make sure all was in order — annoying his father but showing true diligence in those early days.
It was in 1968 that he met his future wife Joan at a dance hall in St Bees while watching Manchester United win the European Cup. They were married two years later at St Michael’s Parish Church, Workington.
Their first child Linda was born in August, 1972, followed in September of the following year by Graeme.
From 1967 Derryck served as a constable based at the county police headquarters in Penrith. He was then promoted to the rank of sergeant and worked at Penrith police station before transferring to Keswick in 1978 and moving there with his family.
After eight years as a sergeant he was moved back to Penrith into traffic administration. In 1987 he became traffic inspector at the traffic headquarters at Brigham.
In 1990 he returned to Workington as beat supervisor inspector and in1994 was put in charge of the Cockermouth area, which subsequently incorporated Keswick.
His final career move came in 1997 when he became head of support management in the Workington division.
Derryck was very much an old school copper, a bobby on the beat who loved his job and took pride in everything he did, including his appearance. As inspector at Cockermouth and Keswick he made sure the front door of his police station was open at all times, to foster a good relationship with the community, and foot patrols were increased.
He became a familiar and approachable figure in both towns as he worked the beat.
In 1984 he was dispatched to Seaham, in County Durham, to be alongside the many officers from around the UK who were policing the picket lines during the miners’ strike.
For him there was a personal conflict arising from the fact he had relatives in the area who were miners. Despite this, he carried out his duty within the law and without fear or favour — but not without pain.
During his time as a police officer he became a qualified school cycling proficiency trainer and taught children at many schools. He became a keen advocate of teaching youngsters about road safety and raised money to help purchase helmets for those who did not have them.
The saddest episode of his career came in 1988 when he was called out to Lockerbie after Pan Am Flight 103 crashed there as the result of a terrorist bomb. He spent several days there helping with search parties and also driving the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Malcolm Rifkind, around the crash site. In later years Derryck experienced post traumatic stress disorder, the key to which was the Lockerbie disaster.
In 1997 Derryck received his long service and good conduct award, having served for more than 25 years in Cumbria. Derryck finally retired on 31st March, 1999, after an incredible 32 years of loyal service.
Away from his policing duties he was always interested in sport. In his younger days he was a very keen footballer and rugby player. For almost 20 years he played for the county police rugby union team. He was a keen Carlisle United and Sunderland AFC supporter.
He was also a keen flat green bowler at Keswick’s Fitz Park and served as secretary of the club.
Derryck remained active after his retirement, enjoying working over many years on the reception at the Castlerigg camping site in Keswick. He became a governor at St Herbert’s School and continued with his role as secretary of Fitz Park Bowling Club.
His wife Joan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 and he was completely devoted to her care for eight years before she passed away in September, 2019.
Late in 2021 Derryck was also diagnosed with the condition and further health problems followed. His family thanked his immediate neighbours, the doctors and staff from Castlehead Medical Centre and especially the nurses at Mary Hewetson Hospital who provided wonderful care and compassion in his final days.
Many tributes were paid following his death, referring to his fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality and saying he was a proper old school copper who was happiest engaging with the people. However, the most frequent and well deserved words of praise were “true gentleman”.
He is survived by daughter Linda, son Graeme and brother Jeffery. He had one grandson, Alfie.
The funeral service and interment took place at St John’s Church, Keswick. F&W Green Funeral Directors had charge of the arrangements.
