George Churchill–Coleman. Anti–terror chief. November 17, 1938 - January 10, 2015. Aged 76
WITH his shock of white hair and thick black eyebrows, George Churchill–Coleman became the public face of the police during his time as Scotland Yard's anti–terrorist chief between 1985 and 1992.
It was a period when the IRA was at its most deadly and Churchill–Coleman regularly appeared on TV seeking the help of the public to solve the latest atrocity.
When he became an IRA target himself (his name appeared on three hit lists) he refused to be intimidated and struggled to accept the armed protection that was foisted upon him.
Born in Weybridge, Surrey, Kenneth George Churchill–Coleman always wanted to be a police officer.
He was still young when his parents died and he lodged with London police officer Cyril Hearn, a move that helped forge his career.
After a stint in the Army as a military policeman he joined the Met in 1960 and quickly rose through the detective ranks.
Working in the Fraud Squad he was involved in the arrest of architect John Poulson who was convicted of bribing public officials to win building contracts.
As a detective chief superintendent he led investigations into the Iranian Embassy siege in London 1980.
Later as chief of the Anti–Terrorist Branch he led investigations in to the murder of Margaret Thatcher's close friend Ian Gow MP in 1990 and the mortar attack on Downing Street in 1991.
He was made an OBE and awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1994.
He died three weeks after being involved in a car crash. Twice divorced, he is survived by two children from his first marriage to Anne and three from his second marriage to Wendy.
