Murder of Stephen Oake
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Stephen Oake QGM |
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| Born | Poynton, Cheshire, United Kingdom |
| Died | 14 January 2003 (aged 40) Crumpsall, Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Other names | Steve |
| Awards | Queen's Gallantry Medal |
| Police career | |
| Department | Greater Manchester Police |
| Years of service | 1982–2003 |
| Rank | Detective Constable |
 Images of Oake's funeral in Manchester on 25 January 2003 (BBC News) |
DC Stephen Robin Oake, QGM, was a police officer serving as an anti-terrorism detective with Greater Manchester Police in the United Kingdom who was murdered while attempting to arrest a suspected terrorist in Manchester on 14 January 2003.
He was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
Oake was born in Poynton, Cheshire; his father Robin Oake is a former chief constable of the Isle of Man Constabulary and a recipient of the Queen's Police Medal. Stephen served with Greater Manchester Police for almost 20 years until his death and as an anti-terrorism detective in the special branch since 1999. In 2002 he was commended for his professional skills and expertise.
On 14 January 2003, Oake and colleagues went to a Flat 4, 4, Crumpsall Lane, in the Crumpsall area of north Manchester, as part of an immigration operation. The resident was not expected to be there, but the police found three men, including Algerian illegal immigrant Kamel Bourgass, who had arrived in England in the back of a lorry three years prior. Bourgass was not immediately recognised despite being wanted in London in connection with what became known as the Wood Green ricin plot, a bioterrorism plot to attack the London Underground. He was not perceived to pose a threat and thus was not handcuffed by the officers.
However, believing that the officers had identified him in connection with the ricin plot, Bourgass made an attempt to escape and, in the process of doing so, punched one officer and picked up a kitchen knife. Oake, who was unarmed and not wearing protective clothing, went to restrain the suspect but was stabbed eight times in the chest and upper body, including one blow which penetrated his heart. Despite his extensive injuries, Oake continued trying to help his colleagues bring Bourgass under control; three other officers suffered stab wounds before the suspect was eventually detained. Oake later died of his injuries.
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Wikipedia