A CAMPAIGNING police widow whose husband was stabbed to death on duty in Glasgow has called for more mental health training to be given to officers.

Christine Fulton's family was torn apart almost 20 years ago when her husband of two years Lewis was fatally stabbed by a schizophrenic man after attending an emergency call in the Gorbals.

Lewis was just 28 when he was taken from his 34-year-old wife and seven-month-old baby, Luke.

Since his death Christine, now 53, has dedicated her life to helping bereaved families of officers across the UK and was honoured by the Queen with an MBE in 2008.

Now, as the country remembers officers who have died in the line of duty, Christine said safety still needs be the top priority for all forces.

Her husband's killer Philip McFadden had stopped taking his medication and attacked Lewis after he responded to an emergency call.

Christine, who lives in Kilmarnock, said: "I would still like to see much more training on dealing with the mentally ill.

"A lot of the officers don't know how to recognise mental health issues or how to deal with them.

"They get more training now than they did at the time of that incident but I think they could still do more."

However, Christine said that safety had "improved dramatically" over the years.

She said: "Lewis had nothing but his truncheon which was useless against the knife Philip McFadden had.

"Now they are much better equipped.

"They're getting there but there's still things to do."

Christine co-founded the Care of Police Survivors (COPS), and the Scottish Police Memorial Trust in 2003.

So far COPS has helped more than 300 families - and Christine is urging others to get in touch.

Christine, whose son Luke is now 19 and at university, said the work to help others had been good for her.

She said: "I still have days that are really hard. It's been good for me as well as hundreds of other survivors."

Next year is the 20th anniversary of Lewis' death and Christine is holding an event to remember him on June 14, 2014.

If you know of any officer who should be recorded on the Scottish Police Memorial call 07974 115810 or email admin@spmt.org.uk

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk