Policeman who settled here 30 years ago retires
Wednesday, 14th December 2011.
A policeman who has made his home in Haverhill and spent all his working life based here retires tomorrow after 30 years in the force.
PC Barry Miller came to Haverhill in January 1982 and served as a response beat bobby for 15 years, being responsible for the Chalkstone estate, before becoming a police dog-handler.
He currently handles three dogs, who live with him in Shetland Road, and one of them will be retiring with him.
Remy, a Labrador passive drugs dog, is at least 12 years old and, PC Miller said, deserved to 'curl up in front of the fire', although in reality he is unlikely to able to change into a house dog and will still prefer his kennel in nthe garden.
PC Miller, 50, hit the headlines back in 1990 when he was the victim of a freak shotgun accident.
He was patrolling along a path when a retired police officer was walking the other way with his shotgun.
Both had dogs with them and as they strained towards each other, the other man was pulled over and his shotgun went off, hitting PC Miller with 56 pellets, some of which he still has in his body.
He was off work for some time, and was overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown to him by townspeople.
"I thought that was it at the time," he said, "and was amazed by the hundreds and hundreds of cards I received fromwell-wishetrs, many of which I still have."
PC Miller ran Haverhill United FC from under nines to under 17s and on to become Haverhill United Old Boys.
His son Thomas, 15, now plays football for Thurlow.
In retirement PC Miller intends to retain his links with the town, which he came to from Stowmarket 30 years ago having never heard of it and decided it was so nice he would settle here.
But he also intends to get a holiday home in Cyprus.
"I think it's the right time for me to go now," he said.He is not being replaced as the dog-handling unit is being reduced.
"I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and help over the years," he said.
PC Barry Miller came to Haverhill in January 1982 and served as a response beat bobby for 15 years, being responsible for the Chalkstone estate, before becoming a police dog-handler.
He currently handles three dogs, who live with him in Shetland Road, and one of them will be retiring with him.
Remy, a Labrador passive drugs dog, is at least 12 years old and, PC Miller said, deserved to 'curl up in front of the fire', although in reality he is unlikely to able to change into a house dog and will still prefer his kennel in nthe garden.
PC Miller, 50, hit the headlines back in 1990 when he was the victim of a freak shotgun accident.
He was patrolling along a path when a retired police officer was walking the other way with his shotgun.
Both had dogs with them and as they strained towards each other, the other man was pulled over and his shotgun went off, hitting PC Miller with 56 pellets, some of which he still has in his body.
He was off work for some time, and was overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown to him by townspeople.
"I thought that was it at the time," he said, "and was amazed by the hundreds and hundreds of cards I received fromwell-wishetrs, many of which I still have."
PC Miller ran Haverhill United FC from under nines to under 17s and on to become Haverhill United Old Boys.
His son Thomas, 15, now plays football for Thurlow.
In retirement PC Miller intends to retain his links with the town, which he came to from Stowmarket 30 years ago having never heard of it and decided it was so nice he would settle here.
But he also intends to get a holiday home in Cyprus.
"I think it's the right time for me to go now," he said.He is not being replaced as the dog-handling unit is being reduced.
"I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and help over the years," he said.
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