THE daughter of PC David Rathband who hung himself after being shot in the face and blinded by fugitive gunman Raoul Moat has revealed she wants to become a police officer.

Fourteen-year-old Mia Rathband says she is intent on joining the Northumbria force to follow in her father's footsteps.

PC Rathband was blinded after being shot in the face by the killer in July 2010.

Although he made steps to overcome his disability, the 44-year-old took his own life on February 29 last year at his home in Blyth, Northumberland.

"I know dad would have been so proud of me," said Mia, who has arranged to go on work experience with Northumbria Police in June.

"We think about him a lot and I know he will like the fact that I want to join the police and become a traffic officer like him.

"After my dad was hurt it became more clear what I wanted to do as a job and being a police officer was an option. It is a good job and I want to be able to make a difference.

 

"This time of year is very difficult for us. Last year was difficult because it was the first Christmas we had after dad had been hurt." 

PC Rathband was blinded by the Newcastle bodybuilder after being shot at close range as he sat in his patrol car on a roundabout above the A1 in Newcastle.

Moat sparked a huge manhunt before shooting himself dead after a police stand-off in Rothbury, Northumberland.

Earlier, on July 3, 2010, he shot and injured former partner, Samantha Stobbart, 22, and killed her boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

PC Rathband, who had been left for dead, lost his sight and was left with more than 200 shotgun pellets in his skull.

His bravery made him a national hero and he set up the Blue Lamp Foundation to help other injured emergency services staff.

PC Rathband's wife Kath, 43, is now patron of the charity, while their son Ashley, 20, an international business management student at Northumbria University, is a trustee.

Speaking from the family home in Cramlington, she added: Mia is so much like David, she is determined and will succeed in anything she puts her mind to."