PSNI colleagues pay tribute to Constable Stephen Carroll on 11th anniversary of his murder

Constable Carroll was killed while responding to a 999 call in Craigavon.

Posting on Facebook PSNI Craigavon said: “It’s been 11 years since our colleague Stephen Carroll was murdered. Every day, every officer in Lurgan walks by a memorial dedicated to his memory and we seek to honour that memory in the work we do in keeping the community safe.

“Today we are thinking not only of our colleague, but of Kate and the whole Carroll family.

“The words below are from Stephen’s colleague who was on duty with him that night 11 years ago which were shared with us in 2018.”

The officer said: “At 21:45 on 9th March 2009, two police cars attended to a call at Lismore Manor in Craigavon. A young woman, her children tucked into bed, was sitting in her home when a brick was thrown through the living room window. This, it transpired, a deliberate act to lure police into the area. As anyone would, the householder phoned 999.

“The officers attending knew of an increased threat of an attack in this specific area. More so given the cowardly murder of two young off duty, unarmed soldiers less than 48 hours earlier. They attended this call for help regardless.

“The first car went to the house. As the second car made to turn in the small cul-de-sac, a burst of automatic gunfire struck the vehicle, fatally wounding my driver, Stephen Carroll. The vermin who carried out this act quickly skulked off into the darkness, their evil deed done.

“A family robbed of a husband, a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather. A unit robbed of a friend and colleague. Our community robbed of an honest, decent and diligent peeler.

“Nine years gone, always remembered.

“To all of you who read this. I’d ask one small favour, in memory of my friend. Today do one good thing you wouldn’t normally do. Put a pound in a charity box. Phone someone you’ve not been in touch with for ages. Make a coffee for your workmates. However small a gesture, do something. For a bunch of small, good gestures to sprout from one dreadful act would be a fitting way to remember Stevie.”