Top police officer shot nine times in failed murder bid forced to retire PSNI because of injuries

Just days after Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was awarded the Kings Police Medal at Buckingham Palace – he hung up his police uniform for good.

At the ceremony the veteran officer told the media his recovery was going well.

DCI Caldwell was shot and seriously wounded in front of his son just after he had finished coaching a youth football team at sports facilities in the town on February 22 last year.

Two men wearing dark waterproof clothing approached him and opened fire, striking him nine times.

The gunmen made their getaway in a Ford Fiesta, fitted with false number plates and discovered burnt out later that night, before switching to a Mercedes car.

Although the New IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting, detectives believe other criminal factions joined forces with the dissident republican grouping to target someone regarded as their joint enemy.

DCI Caldwell suffered a number of injuries – some of them life-changing.

It's now known that he has retired on medical grounds.

In a statement to UTV Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “We can confirm that as of 5th December 2024, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"John was the subject of a cowardly and murderous attack in 2023 and we thank him for his bravery, commitment and service to the public.

"We wish him all the very best in the future.”

John Caldwell was awarded the King’s Police Medal for putting the lives of others before his own.

Those lives – children, including his son, he was coaching football the night back in February last year when the New IRA singled him out for murder.

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