National Police Memorial Day to commemorate all UK police officers who have died on duty and pay tribute to lives lost in air disasters
The 21st annual Police Memorial Day service will take place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 29th September 2024.
Families, friends, colleagues and senior officials from throughout the UK will join a congregation of more than 1,000 to honour police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting their communities.
This being the 30th anniversary year of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, tribute will be paid to lives lost in air disasters, with a wreath being laid in remembrance during the service.
Relatives will light candles to commemorate police lives lost in each of the four nations of the UK.
Lighting the candle for Scotland – Margaret Collins, mother and Helen Cruddis, sister of Police Constable Anthony (Tony) Collins, 43 years, Police Service of Scotland, died 29th November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.
Lighting the candle for England – Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, died 25th September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland – Jill Davidson, wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45 years, Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, died 2nd June 1994 when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.
Lighting the candle for Wales – Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones, 34 years, North Wales Police, died 13th July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course
Family members and senior officials will provide readings and lead prayers. The congregation will stand during The Last Post as petals fall in remembrance of lives lost.
Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “Police Scotland is honoured to support the National Police Memorial Day as host Service.
“The memorial day is a poignant and important occasion for our policing family, from which we can draw strength and comfort as we honour those who are no longer here.
“I thank and pay tribute to the Police Remembrance Trust for their essential work to maintain bonds of friendship and reaffirm reflections which are crucial for policing and our collective memory.”
David Threadgold, Chair of the Scottish Police Federation said: “It’s an honour and privilege to represent the Scottish Police Federation at National Police Memorial Day – an important, humbling dedication to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“We remember all lives lost and reflect 30 years on from the terrible tragedy that occurred on the Mull of Kintyre, in Glasgow at the Clutha bar and other air disasters across our nation in which police officers lost their lives.
“Across the policing family, we draw strength and provide support to each other at this time, we will never forget.”
Canon David Wilbraham MBE, chair of the Police Remembrance Trust, and co-ordinator for National Police Memorial Day said: “We hold the records and recognise the sacrifice of officers who have died on duty since records began – the earliest death being that of Islington Watchman Nicholas Grey, killed by a Yeoman of the Guard back in 1545.
“Being true to our motto ‘lest we forget’ carries the commitment ‘we will remember’ and by telling their stories and speaking their names we keep their memory and therefore them alive.”