A PSNI sergeant who brought about huge changes to policing in Newry and south Armagh has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.
Sergeant Sam Hoey (50) was one of four recipients of the Queen’s Police Medal.
He has worked in the Newry and south Armagh area since 2003.
During that time, he was instrumental in bringing about changes to the patrolling style in the south Armagh area, changing from helicopter and foot patrols to vehicle, after the withdrawal of military support in 2007.
Sergeant Hoey continues to lead by example and is highly regarded.
The father-of-two teenage boys said he was humbled to be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
And he has praised his colleagues and thanked them for their support during his own personal loss.
Sergeant Hoey’s wife, Diane, passed away in March 2010 after a battle with cancer. She was just 37.
Over two years later, in August 2012, his brother-in-law Philip Duffie – like himself a police officer – also lost his life to cancer at the age of 42.
Sergeant Hoey is extemely well-known in the local community and greatly respected.
And typical of the man, he said the award was recognition not of himself but the team, colleagues and superiors, who had been very supportive, especially during his wife Diane’s illness.
Very well deserved – Congratulations Sergeant Hoey QPM!
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