Sergeant’s Final Ride Honours D-Day Heroes
Road Safety Sergeant Rob Heard clocked off for the last time with a bang. He led Her Majesty The Queen in the Special Escort Group at the 75th D-Day Commemoration in Southsea on 5 June, rubbing shoulders with Royals, veterans, and world leaders including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron.
From CHIPS Fan to VIP Escort
Starting out in 1989, Sgt Heard served four years at Andover Police before chasing his dream job as a Winchester traffic motorbike officer, inspired by the American TV show CHIPS. His career took him around the world, escorting VIPs like former US President Bill Clinton at the 50th D-Day event and policing the 2012 London Olympics. His stellar service earned him the Chief Constable’s Congratulations award.
Turning Tragedy into Safety Action
Not all of Sgt Heard’s work was glamourous. In 2011, he investigated a fatal crash involving an 89-year-old blind-in-one-eye driver who caused a deadly wrong-way crash. This heartbreaking case sparked Sgt Heard to launch the now nationally-recognised Older Drivers Forum, offering vital safety advice and support for elderly drivers and their families.
Passion for Safer Roads Continues
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in the Police, which has been varied and at times challenging,” Sgt Heard reflected. “Being part of the D-Day commemoration, ensuring veterans and VIPs were safe, is a memory I’ll carry into retirement.”
“Road safety is my passion. I’ve seen firsthand the devastation road crashes cause. We all need to be smarter, safer drivers to reduce these tragedies.”
