Tribute paid to long-serving Carlisle cop and dad, Jack Porter

Toya Hind and Elena Guy, the daughters of John Porter, known as Jack Porter, spoke of his eventful life.

Jack died on October 20, 2023, at the age of 79.

He grew up around Easton, and joined the police in Carlisle. Locally, he was best known for being in the police, and later in life as an usher at Carlisle Magistrates' Court, where many people who walked through the door had already seen him at some point before, they said.

“He was well respected... even by the people he arrested.”

Mr Porter was involved in a car accident in the line of duty. He was chasing a stolen car, and his jacket got caught in the door handle.

The car sped off, and took him with it, and he injured his hip and spine, but he took only the minimum amount of time off.

Elena and Toya said it was not unheard of for him to be out on the town and be bought a drink by one of his former collars - one of whom was the driver of that car.

Jack Porter (Image: Supplied)

He was also known for having a sixth sense at knowing when something wasn’t quite right, and had a tip that is still being used by the cops in Cumbria today.

“Typically when you’re driving a police car or wearing a police uniform, people always look at you," Elena said.

“The people that cannot make eye contact and cannot look at you, they are the people you want to speak to, and some officers have taken that forward and got some really good collars."

One of his biggest professional achievements was being awarded a Queen's Police Medal, which are given out for 'gallantry and distinguished service'.

He and his family were able to see the changing of the guard from within the palace grounds - a lasting memory.

He was the first constable from the county to receive it, making the achievement more special.

Elena and Toya said they remember him having to queue up for a very long time, and him being especially nervous.

The Queen shook everyone’s hand and had a short conversation, but they remember their father having a long chat with her.

This is something they spoke of more – his charisma.

They recalled a holiday to Tunisia and remembered him somehow bumping into someone he knew, despite being on a different continent.

“He was the happy dad on holidays, he was the original dad dancer, and he couldn’t lie on a lilo to save himself.

“I remember everyone laughing at him but he didn’t care, because he was making us laugh,” Elena said.

He was also known for his physique, which sometimes got him in trouble.

“They used to search him at airports because they thought he was smuggling things, but they pat him down and realised it was muscle!” Elena said.

This is something he often took on the chin, and joked about.

His goal in his career was justice, and there were times when he went on welfare checks for victims.

A young Jack Porter (Image: Supplied)

He was made to retire after a major accident in Raffles – a head-on collision – in 1996, and soon began work as a court usher.

He retired from that post in 2010 due to ongoing mobility issues and declining health.

Jack’s funeral will take place on November 3, at Burgh-by-Sands Church at 12.30, family flowers only, but donations to Thin Blue Line are welcome.