Police officer killed after being hit by car as he walked to work
Sergeant Paul Frear had served with West Midlands Police for 21 years.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A police officer has died after being hit by a car in Birmingham.
Sergeant Paul Frear, of West Midlands Police, was critically injured in the incident in Tollhouse Way, Smethwick, as he walked to work on Thursday.
The force said Mr Frear, 45, a father-of-two, died in hospital on Friday.
We know how deeply this will affect those who knew him and worked with him and indeed the whole policing family
He had served with the force for 21 years and worked in Wolverhampton.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “We are offering all the support we can to his wife and their two children and his wider family too at this awful time.
“We know how deeply this will affect those who knew him and worked with him and indeed the whole policing family.
“As a mark of respect, we will be flying the force flags at half-mast.”
Mr Frear won a Chief Constable’s Award in 2017 for providing emergency first aid at the scene of a double stabbing outside a Wolverhampton nightclub, with both victims surviving due to his intervention.
The force had previously said that the driver of the car had been assisting with the investigation into the incident.
He was a dedicated and popular member of the force throughout his 21 years service
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “Sergeant Paul Frear committed his working life to serving the people of the West Midlands.
“He was a dedicated and popular member of the force throughout his 21 years service.
“My thoughts, and those of everyone within my office, are with his family, particularly his wife and children.
“I know that West Midlands Police will provide them with all the support they need.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the force on 101 quoting incident 649 of September 21.