A team of Forth Valley officers are set to tackle the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in tribute to a much-loved colleague who is battling cancer. 

The nine intrepid explorers aim to scale the UK’s three highest mountains within just 24 hours during their mission next month. 

The officers were inspired to raise vital funds for Maggie’s Forth Valley after discovery that now-retired Sergeant Cameron Shanks had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. 

Despite being given a life expectancy of just six to 10 months, Cameron, known as Cammy, has remained positive and is being supported by the lifeline charity. 

He said: “I have turned to Maggie’s for the help and support that I need, and I have to say, words do not describe how much their support helps to both me and my family.”

The father-of-four, who has more than 30 years service with the force, began his policing career as cadet before moving to join the dog unit.

After his retirement, Cammy spent the next 12 years training and developing new recruits at Scotland’s Police College at Tulliallan. 

He is married to wife Claire and recently welcomed his granddaughter Emily into the world. 

The retired sergeant is also well known within the local community for his DJ skills. 

After being moved by their well-respected colleague’s health battle, the team decided to take on their own challenge to help raise funds for the charity. 

The hike will begin on August 17 at the base of Ben Nevis near Fort William, where they will climb and descend the Munro.

They will then travel through the night to reach and climb Scafell Pike in the Lake District before heading off to tackle Snowdon in Wales. 

All going well, the team hopes to complete the challenge at around midday on August 18. 

All funds raised will be given to Maggie’s Forth Valley to help them continue to offer their support to people diagnosed with cancer. 

The team have also issued their heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors who have made the challenge possible.

To donate, please visit their JustGiving page.

A memorial service for an American Secret Service special agent who tragically died whilst on duty in Scotland has been held on the one-year anniversary of his death. 

Nole Edward Remagen suffered a fatal stroke on July 15 last year whilst on protection detail during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire. 

The 42-year-old former US Marine was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow but passed away two days later with his family by his side. 

The Police Roll of Honour Trust organised the memorial event, which was attended by colleagues of the fallen agent, as well as senior officials from Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. 

A memorial plaque was also unveiled in the entrance to the hotel and several floral wreaths were laid at the fountain outside.  

Speaking on behalf of Mr Remagen’s family, Special Agent Tony Omato of the US Secret Service Presidential Protective Division, said: “Last July here in Turnberry, Nole was working the midnight protective shift, when he succumbed to a cerebral edema. 

“The support and expedient response provided to Nole by Police Scotland cannot be understated. 

“The reverence and respect that was bestowed upon Nole and his family by Police Scotland and Trump Turnberry personnel during these trying moments was truly remarkable and did not go unnoticed by anyone who bore witness to this tragic event.

“Nole truly died as he lived – surrounded by friends and in the service of the country that he loved. 

“Nole left behind his loving wife Tara, his son Evan and daughter Kate. Nole’s love for his family was endless and always something that he had cherished. 

“Even while here in Turnberry, he purchased stuffed animals for his children. These gifts accompanied him and his family home to his final resting place. 

“Nole represented the best of what we hope our children will aspire to become. A loving husband, strong father and model citizen.”

Mr Ornato added:  “I’d like to convey my heartfelt appreciation for the respect that was afforded to Nole and his family. 

“You have honoured one of our own as if he was one of yours. We will carry the memory of that tragic day with us forever. 

“The response by our Scottish brothers and sisters provided the utmost dignity and respect that bears witness to the true bonds of humanity.” 

Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said: “I’ve attended memorials in the past and what strikes me is that when we talk about the police family, often it’s the Scottish or UK police family. 

“Today was a great reminder of how the police family crosses international boundaries. 

“It was a very poignant service but also a very uplifting one to remind us that regardless of the nationality, some of our police officers worldwide will unfortunately pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. 

“That is something we must always honour and something that we must never forget.”

Assistant Chief Constable Bernie Higgins said: “On behalf of Police Scotland it was a privilege to be able to pay tribute to special agent Nole Remagen a year on from his death, and entirely appropriate that his service has been recorded on the Police Roll of Honour in the UK.

“A number of our officers were involved in assisting special agent Remagen’s relatives who travelled from America, as well as his Secret Service colleagues, and I know they were deeply saddened by his death.

“Our thoughts remain with special agent Remagen’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Sid McKay, chairman of the Police Roll of Honour Trust, said: “As an organisation, we are proud to maintain the official Police Roll of Honour for the entire United Kingdom, which contains both historical and contemporaneous records of all those police officers who have lost their lives both on and in the line of duty.

“Last year, we made the decision to include special agent Remagen as an honorary inclusion in the UK Police Roll of Honour; as aside from nationality he meets all of the criteria.

“We are very grateful to all who helped make the memorial service to agent Remagen possible.”

Agent Remagen was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had served with the United States Secret Service for 19 years and was assigned to the Presidential Protection Division.

In a statement issued at the time, President Donald Trump paid tribute to Mr Remagen, who he described as a “beloved and devoted Special Agent, husband and father”. 

© Sandy Young Photography

Credit: scottishphotographer.com

A vicious thug who smashed a police officer and his dog in the face with a metal bar before sinking his teeth into the animal’s ear has been jailed for two years.

Jamie O’Neill appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Friday where he was also told he will also be supervised for 12 months following his release from prison.

The 33-year-old previously admitted attacking PC Paul O’Donnell and police dog Remo with the offensive weapon after he was pursued by the duo in Ayrshire on March 26 this year.

O’Neill, who is originally from the Brighton area of England, was running from the police after assaulting his former partner and throwing a brick through the window of a property.

After being caught at the Nethermains Industrial Estate in Kilwinning, O’Neill launched his violent attack which left the officer needing hospital treatment.

Police dog Remo, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois cross, had to undergo root canal surgery on his canine tooth which was eventually capped with a £4000 titanium implant.

The brave hound also had stitches put in his ear after O’Neill ripped a chunk out of it with his teeth.

The court was told that O’Neill had been in and out of prison since he was 16-years-old and had moved to Scotland to “get a break” from his peer group in England.

His defence solicitor, Mr Connolly, added: “Valium was at the background of this offending behaviour on this particular date.”

The lawyer said his client, who is said to be “extremely ashamed” of his “impulsive and reckless behaviour”, plans to move back to Brighton following his release from prison.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane said: “The sentence that I am going to impose is one that is inevitable because of your appalling behaviour on the 26th of March this year.

“I see no alternative but to send you to prison.”

O’Neill’s 24 month sentence was back dated to March 27 when he was first remanded in custody at HMP Kilmarnock.

Speaking about the horrifying  incident, PC Paul O’Donnell 42, said: “I found O’Neill and he was shouting and bawling before trying to make off through the bushes.

“I sent Remo to stop him and when he was only about 10ft away Remo jumped for him.

“O’Neill had a metal bar behind his back and he’s swung it round and smashed Remo in the face which did all the damage.

“Remo then kind of backed off and started barking. I’ve then put hands on O’Neill to try and detain him, he started fighting with me and Remo has seen this and grabbed him by the calf.

“O’Neill then just folded over, grabbed hold of Remo’s head and sunk his teeth into the dog’s ear.

“But the reality is that if you bite a police dog, all that’s going to happen is he’s going to bite you even harder.”

The dog handler continued: “The damage was a bad wound to the centre of his ear and at the edge of the ear, a nick was taken out of it where the guy’s tooth has ripped a part of it off.

“All I could I see was the blood pouring out of Remo’s ear. At first, I didn’t know I had been hit in the face with the bar.

“A traffic cop that was following me told me to put my hand to my face and there was blood pouring down my face.

“Because of the adrenaline and worrying about Remo, I just didn’t realise.

“My main concern was to get Remo to the vet in East Kilbride and it was only when we were halfway there that my concussion started to set in.

“It’s not the kind of incident you expect to come across on a Tuesday afternoon but you never really know what you’re going to come up against.

“Any other member of the public would go ballistic if someone smashed their dog in the face but we have to be professional and make sure we get the arrest to keep the public safe.

“Remo lost about a third of his tooth during the incident. They did root canal surgery on the remaining tooth to save it and then tapered it down to fit the titanium crown.

“There’s still a good centimetre difference in size because obviously they couldn’t make it into a nice, pointy tooth. They’ve capped it off and it’s done the job.”

Paying tribute to his four-legged comrade, PC O’Donnell said: “He’s a great dog.

“Say if we go to meet someone, he’ll be lying on his back getting his belly rubbed. He’s the friendliest dog you’ll ever meet.

“But what people forget is that when he goes into work mode, he’s an absolute machine.

“To me, he’s perfect. He’s a great dog to have about and I obviously know he has my back.”

A new shower block has opened at Stirling Police Station after concerns were raised about the “diabolical and unhygienic” facilities officers were being forced to use.

Staff based at the Randolphfield office were previously left using a former prisoners’ cell complex and showers due to the condition of the station’s locker room.

Mould covered large sections of the walls of the staff changing room, which was first highlighted to Police Scotland chiefs in October 2018.

Due to a lack of funding, work to tackle the problem only began in May this year.

In the meantime, staff had no access to operational showers or changing facilities and had to use the former prisoners’ cells and showers before going out on the job.

The custody suite at Stirling Police Station was closed on health and safety and fire risk grounds in 2017.

People in custody are now transported to a ‘hub’ at Falkirk Police Station or the nearest alternative.

Work on the upgraded shower block was completed earlier this month after concerns were raised by staff and the Scottish Police Federation.

Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin, Divisional Commander said: “Stirling Police Station has recently completed the refurbishment of its shower block facilities, which is a welcome upgrade to our estate.

“More and more staff across the Forth Valley Division are choosing to cycle or run to work, which is great to see and an important part of the well-being of staff.

“The new shower block will ensure staff have appropriate facilities at the station whenever they need them.”

Grant McDowall, secretary of the east area committee with the Scottish Police Federation, said: “We are delighted to see the upgraded shower and changing facilities at Stirling Police Station.

“It is heartening to see that the concerns we previously raised with the force have been taken on board and that work has been undertaken to address them.

“Having access to suitable shower facilities is an important part of officer well-being and go a long way to making a sometimes difficult job that little bit more comfortable.”