Senior Detective John Caldwell Retires from PSNI Nearly Two Years After Attack

A senior detective has concluded his service with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), approximately two years after being targeted in a dissident republican assault. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot in February 2023 in Omagh, County Tyrone. The incident occurred in front of his young son as he was packing up after coaching a youth football team. Mr. Caldwell, who was off-duty at the time, was struck multiple times at close range by two gunmen outside a sports complex. The PSNI has confirmed that Mr. Caldwell retired on medical grounds on 5 December. At the time of the incident, police indicated that the primary focus of their investigation was on violent dissident republicans, including the New IRA. The New IRA subsequently claimed responsibility in a typed statement that appeared in Londonderry. In a statement issued on Thursday, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher remarked: “John was the subject of a cowardly and murderous attack in 2023, and we thank him for his bravery, commitment, and service to the public. We wish him all the very best in the future.” Mr. Caldwell was recognized in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2023 and later received the King’s Police Medal for distinguished services within the police force. Speaking in November, Mr. Caldwell stated that he was still recovering from his injuries. He said: “I’ve been impacted, obviously, by the attack upon me; I was shot nine times. I’m still recovering from those injuries. The recovery is going very well.”