The widow of one of the policemen who died in Porthleven 40 years ago during an horrendous storm says she feels the "chapter has been satisfactorily closed."

Four decades on from the death of PC Joe Childs and PC Martin Reid, their family and former colleagues have gathered to remember them and rededicate a memorial plaque.

PC Childs was aged 36 and PC Reid only in his late 20s when they were washed into the sea during a major storm that hit Cornwall during December 1978.

Their bodies were found the next morning in the harbour water, with the crushed police car recovered later in the week. 

Last Thursday, on the fortieth anniversary of that date, a brief service was held at the harbour to remember them. It included the rededication of a memorial plaque on the harbour wall, on which the date has now been corrected to say "on the night of the 12th into 13th of December 1978."

When it was first put up on the 21st anniversary of their death, it initially described it as the "night of the 13th".

Falmouth Packet:

Deirdre Childs, the widow of PC Joe Childs, at the rededicated plaque in Porthleven. Photo: Kathy White

Deirdre Childs, the widow of PC Childs, said she now felt a great sense of "contentment" that it was now accurate.

She said: "It was like a thorn in my flesh, not being correct. It was just that little bit added to it that makes it correct.

"I feel like a chapter has been closed, although the book is still open."

Four decades on and people still place flowers at the plaque on the anniversary of the pair's death, with PC Childs in particular very well remembered locally and nicknamed 'Smiler' due to his happy demeanour.

"Joe was a particularly popular policeman, called Smiler because nothing was too much bother. He dealt with people in the old fashioned way, talked to them and sorted it out, rather than come down with the heavy hand of the law. I think he was just heavily respected," said Mrs Childs.

Her husband was not even meant to be on duty anymore on the night of his death. Having officially clocked off at the station in Helston at midnight, it is thought he was being given a lift back home by his colleague PC Reid when they must have stopped at the harbour in Porthleven to check on something.

"It was such a foul night," remembered Mrs Childs. "The phone rang at 6am. The police station said, 'Can we speak to Joe please?' and I said no, he hasn't come home from duty - and that's when they said, 'Oh'.

"I was expecting him home, but you know what it's like, they've got a job to do, a duty. You're never quite sure when they'll come home.

"It appears that they were both out of the car inspecting property, making sure everything was OK. The car was crushed, but their bodies were found separately, when the storm abated.

"We're talking about monstrous seas, 100mph winds."

She described the service last Thursday as "a wonderful tribute" to both men, adding: "It makes me feel we have done it right by them both."

The service was taken by Canon David Miller of Helston's parish church of St Michael's, along with lead police chaplain Sarah Jeffrey.

Falmouth Packet:

Former colleagues of PC Childs and PC Reid gather at the memorial service in Porthleven. Photo: Kathy White

Just as the service got underway a large wave crashed over the harbour wall, causing Mrs Childs to lightheartedly say: "OK Joe, we know you're still with us."

She thanked former police officer Bob Woods, who her husband had mentored, for working so hard to track down many of PC Childs's colleagues from Helston, as well as some of PC Reid's former colleagues from Truro where he was based before Helston.

"He did a terrific amount of work to get hold of everyone. There were so many ex colleagues who gave up their time to be there.

"It was lovely to see them. The police force in Helston, they were a family within the community. Everyone helped each other, they have always been very supportive to me over the years, bringing up my two daughters," added Mrs Childs.

Afterwards, everyone gathered at the Harbour Inn for tea and coffee.