Notification of the death of a retired Police Officer
Derek John Rothery
It is with sadness that we have to inform you of the death of Derek John Rothery, aged 86 years, a retired Police Officer who died on Thursday 17 September 2020. Our thoughts are with his son Max at this difficult time.
The funeral is on Wednesday 7 October 2020 but due to the pandemic there is a restriction on the numbers of mourners that can attend. Donations to St Barnadas Hospice, Lincoln via the Lincoln Co-op Funeral Home, North Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2HS
Derek joined the County Force in 1958 after serving as a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy. He served at Calverton, Mansfield and Retford where he became a bit of a legend in his dealing with the local criminals. He retired in 1985 and moved to live in Lincolnshire. He wife June died in 2017
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John Kennedy
Secretary Notts NARPO
NottsNarpo 
Derek showed me round at Mansfield when I joined in 1965. He was a very competent Police man, had a great sense of humour and a good relationship with the public. Our paths crossed many times during our service and he never changed his attitude nor his manner. A life well lived is his legacy.
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I worked with Derek from 1962 based at Gringley on the Hill whilst he was the Everton bobby. He was a brilliant copper with a great sense of humour and well respected by everyone that knew him. A good family man who thought the world of June, Joy & Max!
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Derek Rothery was the complete police officer. Utterly fearless and highly respected by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. We shall never see his like again.
Rest peacefully Derek.
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I worked with Derek on Gringley Rural in the early 70’s. He was a damn good copper. When I once got an assistance call to go to Derek, I certainly knew it was serious. He could tell a bad un even in a car going in the opposite direction on the A631. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, but so pleased to have met him and worked with him during my time on the job. Now you are officially 10/2. Rest in Peace, Derek.
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So sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. He was only mentioned the other week whilst in Retford. Although I didn’t have an awful lot to do with your dad as I was on traffic but his work around Retford and Everton a gringley are legendary
Derek Gill ex Pc 1179
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Memories of a completely lovely fella from my probationer days at Retford in the early 80’s. Always a gentleman who brought many a smile to many faces. Never herd a bad word said against this ‘legend of his time’ amongst coppers. Sad news at your passing Derek. Rest in peace officer, you clearly did an excellent job.
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I was sorry to hear of Derek’s passing. My memories of him stem from the 70’s when I transferred to Misterton, a bit of an unknown place to me. Derek was a fantastic support , who really helped with the transition and with all kinds of advise both to the community and the ‘bad uns’ to look out for. Apart from being a damn good copper he was areally nice man.
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Derek unofficially tutored me when I went Resident Rural at Beckingham in 1983. His knowledge of the area and populace were second to none. A lovely man, RIP Derek.
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I worked alongside Derek in the late 1960’s for 3 yrs when we were rural officers at Everton and Finningley. I was a young Bobby in my early 20’s so it was a pleasure to be tutored by some one everyone looked up to and respected. Even the local villains called him MR. They could have a laugh and joke with him but if they did anything wrong they knew Derek would deal with it and sort it out. He was a real down to earth copper. One of the best. What a pity he struggled with his written exams otherwise he would have made a brilliant Sergeant and who knows how far up the ladder he would have gone. Rest in peace mate.
Alan Pollard.
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Some really accurate comments on here about Derek, suffice to say he was a coppers copper, and a proper gent. RIP mate.
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