Memorial Bench for Officer Gina Rutherford Finds New Home at South Yorkshire Police Station

A commemorative bench honoring a police officer who died while serving three decades ago has been placed at a police station in South Yorkshire. PC Gina Rutherford, who was assigned to Goldthorpe police station in Barnsley, lost her life in February 1994 when her vehicle skidded on ice and plunged into the River Dearne. The bench was initially gifted to Goldthorpe Library but has since been relocated to Wombwell Police Station due to ongoing renovations at the library. Barnsley District Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Wanless, described it as a splendid enhancement to the station following its recent renovation. “Many of our staff here at Barnsley remember PC Rutherford fondly, and I am thrilled the bench has now found a new home where the memorial stone for her is also kept, so her memory will live on,” he said. “Plans are also in place to create a wellbeing space outside of the station which officers and staff can use in the spring and summer months, so this is a very fitting place for the bench to be situated 30 years after PC Rutherford passed away.” The Police Remembrance Trust states that PC Rutherford was 25 years old at the time of her death, having drowned inside her patrol car. Authorities indicated that Councillor Martin Morrell had attempted to reach PC Rutherford’s relatives to apprise them of the library’s ongoing work, but they resided outside the United Kingdom. Councillor Morrell, along with police personnel, concluded that the bench ought to be transferred to Wombwell, aligning with the police station’s recent refurbishment.