John Serjeant

Sincere condolences one of the best has left us and the family must be devastated. I can say nothing that will make that any easier. John was one of the nicest men I ever worked with at Harwich, too many years ago than I care to remember. Just a small story to maybe make you smile? John was the custody Sgt when I brought in a drink driver. He’d crashed his car into Harwich hospital wall. I was around 28 and probably 17stone. My DD was about 45 and 16stone. We were in the charging room talking calmly when John went to type up the charges in another room. However for whatever reason this man got angry and decided to leave. I of course had to stop him. There started a wrestling match when John returns and he sees this “What’s happened Eric, I left and now you are fighting?” “ He wanted to leave !” I said then “ Open the door!” So John opens the door and I wrestled this guy out towards the cells. I tried punching him and dragging him into the cells. Eventually he released his grip on my wrist as we fell into a cell. I threw him on the floor and backed out with John shutting it after this. “What should we do now Eric what do I say about it?” I said “just say he tried to escape and we gave him time to cool off?” John says “ I think I’ll go back to the charges and add an assault on police?” Shall we go have a cup of tea said John? Good idea said I. Always a Harwich solution had Sgt Serjeant!!! RIP a good friend and lovely man.