Widespread tributes have been paid to Blair Wallace, known as one of the last “big beasts” of the RUC, following his death last month at the age of 87.
Former unionist MP David Burnside, who counted Mr Wallace as a friend both in and out of work, hailed his contribution to policing in Northern Ireland, describing him as “one of the finest policemen the UK has ever seen”.
The former Deputy Chief Constable, who was present when the first RUC officer was murdered at the start of the Troubles in 1969, passed away on February 26, with a service of thanksgiving held in Ballynure Presbyterian Church last Friday.
“He was always a great upholder of the values of the RUC,” said Mr Burnside.
“He could easily be described, and has been, as the finest police officer in any force in the UK.
“He was an old-fashioned policeman. He served through the toughest times any police force could have operated in, was head of Special Branch when dealing with the IRA and loyalist terrorists, and was hugely respected by all those who served alongside him.
“He also remained active in Ulster Unionist circles after his retirement as a member of the South Antrim Unionist Association and stood up for the record and achievements of the RUC at a time when the Patton Report denigrated its previous existence.
“He was honest, loyal, hugely qualified and it was a surprise to many when he wasn’t finally honoured with the position as Chief Constable in 1996.
“He continued to uphold the values of the RUC when others tried to rewrite history and attack the reputation of the police force. There has never been enough credit for what the likes of Blair Wallace did during the most trying and dangerous of times to be a member of the police force,” added Mr Burnside.
“He, and those who served alongside him, were under the most serious of personal threats throughout their careers, but he stood tall and proud — and for Blair Wallace, a lot of that was right at the front.”
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Former Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside (Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire)
Blair Wallace was present when the first RUC officer killed in the Troubles, Victor Arbuckle, was shot during street disturbances on the Shankill Road in Belfast in October 1969.
He also carried the dying Gunner Robert Curtis to an ambulance, the first regular soldier to be killed by republicans, in 1971.
And, by a miracle, Mr Wallace was not on the Chinook helicopter which crashed at the Mull of Kintyre in 1994, wiping out the cream of RUC Special Branch and much of the rest of the senior intelligence community in Northern Ireland; he knew 25 of the 29 fatalities on that flight.
Paying tribute to the 43-year veteran who served throughout the entire Troubles and “left an indelible imprint on policing”, the PSNI’s first Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, described Blair Wallace as “an absolutely outstanding figure”.
“Without Blair’s guidance, mentoring and, above all, personal example, I would never have become Chief Constable — or near it,” he said.
“I think all of us who knew Blair are better people for having known him; better people for his example, better people for his contact.”
Referring to the seven ‘Nolan Principles’ of conduct in public office — honesty, integrity, objectivity, accountability, selflessness, openness, and leadership — Sir Ronnie added: “I can’t help but think, did Lord Nolan know Blair Wallace?
“Because Blair could have been the template for arriving at those principles for behaviour in public life. It is exactly how he lived, not only in his public life but in his life in general.
“When I think of the last principle, leadership, Blair was simply a superb, inspirational police leader. We would have followed him anywhere.”
Mr Wallace lost out on the top job in NI policing in 1996 when Sir Ronnie Flanagan took over and went on to oversee the transformation of the RUC into the PSNI.
He had been injured five times while on duty as he developed an almost ‘legendary’ status within the RUC.
Daniel Blair Wallace was born on June 1, 1937, in Carrickfergus, the youngest of six children to Thomas and Maggie Wallace.
Joining the RUC two years after leaving school, he quickly advanced through the ranks of the RUC, becoming Deputy Chief Constable in June 1992.
Mr Wallace was one of the longest and most experienced senior police officers in the British Isles, having completed almost 43 years of service on his retirement from the RUC on May 31, 1998.
He was awarded an MBE, a CBE and the Queen’s Police Medal.