New Melton officer continues family legacy of county’s most iconic policeman

When Pc Dan Challis was sworn in last month, he was following in the boot steps of his legendary ancestor, Pc John William Stephens, who was affectionately nicknamed Pc Tubby because of his 25st bulk when he was on the beat in the early 1900s.

Pc Tubby was known far and wide as he patrolled different parts of the city for 22 years following a stint in Cape Verde fighting in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.

Pc Challis, a former IT worker, was holding Pc Tubby’s campaign medal from that war at his police attestation service and says he is proud to be carrying on a family tradition.

“I was destined for a career change and always had policing in the back of my head as something I wanted to do,” he said.

“When my mum had told me more about our ancestry after applying to the force, I couldn’t believe he was such a well-known face.

“I remember when I was younger taking Tubby’s medal to show and tell in primary school, perhaps not realising at the time that he was such a big deal. “Never did I think that one day I’d be following in his footsteps and holding that same medal on the day of my attestation.

“I’m the first in our family since him to join Leicestershire Police so I hope I live up to the bar he’s set, although I don’t want to adopt his size.”

PC Tubby was the heaviest serving police officer in English history and was instantly recognisable when out on duty.

His great-great-great grandson added: “At 25 stone, he became a public figure whilst patrolling the clock tower in Leicester City Centre.

“He was seen on postcards, in newspapers and people travelling to Leicester to watch the football would seek him out to say they’d met him.

“When he died, thousands of people lined the streets of Leicester for his funeral.”

When it was discovered that Pc Tubby had been buried in an unmarked grave at the Welford Road Cemetery, the Leicestershire Police Federation (LPF) paid for a proper gravestone for him three years ago.

That was before Pc Challis joined the force and the family link was established.

Leicestershire Chief Constable said: “PC Tubby Stephens certainly made his mark within Leicestershire Police history.

“People knew him from far and wide for his community spirit and cheerful personality, undeniably the qualities we see in our officers on the streets today.

“At the time the grave was officially marked in 2017, we were unable to trace his family, so we are now thrilled to welcome Dan into policing at Leicestershire and have Tubby’s policing legacy live on.”

Brewery, Everards of Leicestershire produce an ale called Tubby, which is an homage to the county’s iconic police officer.

The company donates 5p for every pint sold of the limited edition beer in memory of PC Tubby to Care of Police Survivors (COPS).

Since the charity scheme launched three years ago, the firm has donated £1,800 to help their work in supporting the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.