Notts Police name new dog in tribute to officer Ged Walker who died in line of duty

Nottinghamshire Police has named one of its new canine recruits Bart, after a dog handled by the late PC Ged Walker. Widow Tracey Walker welcomed the puppy to the force.

Police dog (PD) Bart has been named in honour of the dog handled by PC Ged Walker, who died in 2003 while trying to stop a stolen taxi.

His widow Tracy Walker recently visited the force’s dog section to see Bart undergoing his training.

She said: “Ged had a great bond with his dogs and it’s lovely to have a dog named after Bart.

“We always liked the name as Ged was a huge fan of The Simpsons and he named him after the character of Bart in the show.”

She added: “I hope the new Bart has a successful career.”

PC Walker, a father of two, sustained serious head injuries as he was dragged 100 yards trying to remove the keys from the ignition of the taxi, having initially been in pursuit of another stolen car.

Serial offender David Parfitt was convicted of his manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Bulwell police station was later renamed the Ged Walker Building, and a memorial stone unveiled at the scene of the crime.

Bart is one of two Dutch Herders newly recruited to the force's dog section as part of a recent drive by the force to boost its ranks.

The other, PD Flak, has been named after PC Brian Hagen, who was with the force for 12 years during the 1970s and 1980s, and died in 2017.

Widow Gilly Hagen said: “Flak was a very special dog to our family and getting the opportunity to name one of the new recruits after him brings back some wonderful memories.”

Inspector Graham Clarke said: “Working in the dog section, there are special partnerships and bonds that form between the dogs and their handlers.

“Not only do they work together, but the dogs also live at the handlers’ homes and their families very often also get to know the dogs too.”

He added: “It was important for us to approach Tracy and Gilly for name suggestions and both Bart and Flak’s namesakes were brilliant dogs who were so important to not only Ged and Brian, but to the whole family.

“We hope this will serve them well in their future training and police work.”