Stephen Pearce QPM DL (Steve) died on November 26th 2024, aged 75. Steve was Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall from 2021 to 2024. Prior, he was Assistant Chief Constable at Devon and Cornwall Police, plus holder of a number of significant charity appointments.
On Wednesday 18th December 2024 Steve’s family, friends, colleagues from the police and the numerous charities he worked with, gathered at The Park in Plymouth to say goodbye to him. So many people came to pay their respects to this great man, some had to witness the service from the waiting room.
The eulogies were beautiful, they focused on Steve’s amazing sense of humour; his devotion to his police work and to his family; and his selflessness in the charities he supported, including this Museum when he retired from the police.
Love, a small word with a big meaning – everyone who spoke about Steve said the word ‘love’, over and over. They also used the word ‘light’; Steve lit up a room by his presence, told some great stories, set an example of goodness, and pushed us along to fulfil his dream of the best UK police museum right here in Devon and Cornwall. We will aim to reflect some of that light back by following his example of hard work to achieve even more in the coming years. Thank you Steve, for everything. Our thoughts are with Jo, Nigel, Alison and the family.
Words and pictures: Andrea Leggett, Project & Digital Officer
