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David Rathband arriving to give evidence at the Raoul Moat case in Newcastle Crown Court in February last year John Giles/PA Wire

Police officer blinded by Raoul Moat found dead

David Rathband was shot during the manhunt for Moat in July 2010.

THE POLICE OFFICER who was shot and blinded by Raoul Moat in 2010 has been found dead at his home.

David Rathband was discovered by police in the north of England last night after concerns were raised for his welfare. No-one else is being sought in connection with the death.

Rathband, who had joined the Northumbria police in 2000, was shot at close range by Moat as he sat in a parked police car during the hunt for the gunman in July 2010. Rathband played dead to avoid being killed by Moat.

The chief constable of the police in Northumbria said that Rathband had been a dedicated officer who had acted in the best traditions of the police service.

Sue Sim said that Rathband’s life had changed forever after being shot by Moat. “David showed outstanding bravery in what was a terrifying situation,” said Sim.

Police and the ambulance service were called to Rathband’s home at around 7pm last night, where the officer was found dead at the scene, the Guardian reports.

Raoul Moat killed one person and seriously injured two other people during a shooting spree days after he was released from prison in July 2010.

Moat went on the run from police after killing his ex-girlfriend’s partner. He killed himself six days later after a standoff with police.

Previously: Raoul Moat accomplices sentenced to life in prison >

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28 Comments
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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:17 AM

    And there were idiots singing moat’s praises on FB during and after the whole episode. Fact is that the guy was only a wife-beating knuckle-dragging mongo.
    This cop was just another unfortunate victim of the aforementioned moron.

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    Mute louise
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:28 AM

    Tis me self

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    Mute Torpedo
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    Mar 1st 2012, 9:34 AM

    Rest in peace

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    Mute LoyalIrish Citizen
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    Mar 1st 2012, 9:46 AM

    Sad end to a decent person who did his duty to protect others.

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    Mute Caroline Reid
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    Mar 1st 2012, 9:43 AM

    how very sad, May he finds peace now

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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:02 AM

    Very tragic. Poor guy.

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    Mute Pamela Whelan
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:28 AM

    An Angel In The Sky Must Leave His Place Of Rest, Gently Tucking His Wings Beneath His Armored Vest. For Duty Has Called, There Is Much Work To Do Little Did He Know, This One Is Dressed In Blue. Arriving On The Scene, He Knows Just What To Say, “Follow Me, Fallen Brother, I’ll Show You The Way.” “Your Duty Has Ended, Your Work Is Now Through.” “Come Hang Your Hat Beside Mine, I’m A Cop, Too.

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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Mar 1st 2012, 1:02 PM

    beautiful

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Mar 1st 2012, 3:01 PM

    Beautiful Poem .

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    Mute Cor Cahill
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    Mar 1st 2012, 8:39 PM

    lovely dedication to a real life super-hero

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:26 AM

    Tragic. RIP.

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    Mute Silent P
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:41 AM

    Lovely poem Pamela. Such a tragic and sad end for a brave man.

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    Mute David Reilly
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:32 AM

    ..poor man, may he rest in peace..

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    Mute Tara Faulkner
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    Mar 1st 2012, 11:23 AM

    very very sad. was he given the proper support after what happened him? that’s debatable. this poor man’s life just fell apart including his family life. god rest his soul. thoughts are with his family.

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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Mar 1st 2012, 1:05 PM

    He set up a charity The Blue Lamp foundation to help injured police and other ems workers who were injured on.duty. a real life hero. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.uasal.

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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Mar 1st 2012, 1:43 PM

    iv asked this before…what type of sick.twisted person.thumbs down messages of condolence and sympathy….

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Mar 1st 2012, 1:54 PM

    Can’t speak for everyone’s reasons, but we have had a couple of users mentioning that sometimes they hit the thumbs down message by mistake when they’re reading it through the app on their smartphone or tablet because the buttons are quite close to each other. Either way, there’s always going to be people who have differing views on every single issue, but I wouldn’t let it get to you too much, even though it can be frustrating at times.

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    Mute Bête Noire
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    Mar 3rd 2012, 5:48 PM

    Copy and paste glurge poems don’t get my thumbs up.

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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Mar 3rd 2012, 6:35 PM

    You bette noir are a prime exmple of the selfish unthinking ignorance and begrudgery that has pervaded Irish society…posting such a childish excuse from.behind your annonymity. Have you ever risked your life in.the service of your fellow citizens..what sacrifices have you made for your fellow citizens. Grow up!

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    Mute Niall Kearns
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    Mar 1st 2012, 12:39 PM

    Very sad. The poor man. RIP

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Mar 1st 2012, 3:08 PM

    This is just such a tragic end to a good man’s life .
    May he Rest In Peace ,and may his family find peace too.
    It must have been so difficult for him and his family to cope
    with and yet he found the group The Blu Light to help others
    who were injured in the course of their duty.
    Duty is a word that people do not really know what it is to live by
    much any more . . .

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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Mar 1st 2012, 1:59 PM

    Aye Iv had that prblm once or twice. Its the comments with multiples really yhat I was referring to. It doesnt get to me as such but Iv noticed that on stories such.as this its increasingly common…a sad indictment of our society

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Mar 1st 2012, 2:16 PM

    Yeah, I’d notice it especially on stories like this or other deaths when you wouldn’t really expect there to be many thumbs down. It’s tough because you can’t engage with people who leave thumbs down unless they also leave a comment at some point to explain why it’s there (and that doesn’t always happen).

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    Mute Irish Mule
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:37 PM

    Rip brother, a brave officer brutally and cowardly wounded by a vicious psychopath. I hope PC Rathband has found peace in heaven. Hero

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Mar 1st 2012, 9:20 PM

    This is truly tragic, god rest this poor man who was only doing his job…I truly feel for his family!

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    Mute Michael Hannan
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    Mar 2nd 2012, 10:15 AM

    Such a tragic story, may he rest in peace.

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    Mute louise
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:22 AM

    Yes Eamonn!!!

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    Mute Mackerel man
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    Mar 1st 2012, 10:53 AM

    Hi I’m eamonn:)

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