Secretaries of State and Police Chiefs joined a congregation of more than 1,400 at Coventry Cathedral, standing in unity to remember officers who gave their lives in service – many in horrific circumstances. 

Family members participated in the service, which poignantly honoured fallen officers’ commitment, courage, and sacrifice. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who gave a reading during the service, said: “The dedication and sacrifice that our police make each day to keep us safe is extraordinary. In our darkest moments, they protect us from harm with unwavering dedication and courage. 

“On National Police Memorial Day, we honour and remember all those who have died in service. My thoughts are also with their families, who continue to bear the pain of losing their loved one.” 

During the service, prayers were said by family members, including Daniel Rodgers: son of PC Ian Rodgers, Greater Manchester Police. Died 3rd April 1975, eight days after sustaining multiple injuries when he was struck by a train as he and a colleague searched the track. This year marks 50 years since Ian tragically died. Daniel emigrated to Australia in 1998 and joined with his mother, Pauline to attend the remembrance service on this poignant anniversary year. 

Inspector Jamie Jones: Working mainly in response roles and as a Federation representative supporting colleagues across Gwent, Jamie read in memory of colleagues PC Steven Jenkins, PC Leighton Yhnell and PC Rhys Kelleher. 

Yvonne Davidson: Yvonne commenced her policing career in West Belfast with the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in 1989. She completed 29 years of service, concluding with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), retiring as a Superintendent in 2018. Since retirement, she has actively volunteered with the RUC George Cross Foundation. 

Iyona Shaar: Iyona joined the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) in September 2023 and has developed herself to be a reliable and committed Youth Volunteer whose dedication to PSYV is unquestionable. She has completed over 200 hours of volunteering and is deeply passionate about serving her community.

The Elizabeth Emblem was presented for the first time during the service. Medals were awarded in memory of: Police Constable Royston Jerred, Sussex Police; Sergeant Noel Lane, Metropolitan Police; Police Constable Mark Peers, Metropolitan Police; Police Constable Ian Rodgers, Greater Manchester Police; and Police Constable Dennis Arthur Smith, Devon and Cornwall Police. 

Candles were lit in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom. 

Representing England Kelly Swindells [daughter] and Mabel [one-year old granddaughter], remembering Kelly’s father DC Michael Swindells QGM, died 21st May 2004 (aged 44), West Midlands Police, who was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he had been in pursuit of. 

Representing Northern Ireland, Peter Olphert [son], remembering his father RC John Robinson Olphert, RUC, who died on 18th January 1983 (aged 39). He was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty. 

Representing Wales, Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terry Davies, 34 years, Gwent Constabulary, who died of injuries received whilst he was cycling home after a tour of duty at Maindee, when he was hit by a stolen vehicle which failed to stop. 

Representing Scotland Linsey Dempsey [daughter], a serving officer in Police Scotland, remembering her father PC Stuart Simpson, died 28th March 1994 (aged 26), Strathclyde Police who was killed when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on the motorway. 

Tiff Lynch, Chair, Police Federation of England and Wales read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year – PC Faizaan Najeeb, Northamptonshire Police; PC Ian Minett, Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce Metropolitan Police; PC Frank Hawkins, Metropolitan Police, PC Marcus Bennett, Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, Humberside Police. 

Policing Minister Sarah Jones, said: “Our brave police work tirelessly to protect the public, facing down danger and putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. They will always have my full and unwavering support. 

“National Police Memorial Day is a time to honour the fallen and recognise the loss felt by those they have left behind. We thank them and their families and pay tribute to their bravery.” 

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded. 

We are encouraging people to book as early as possible as due to the location this year as it is within reasonable driving distance for many. We have already been informed that some of our friends at the National Association for Retired Police Officers (NARPO) are organising  a coach or two.

The service is open to anyone who would like to attend, so please share with family, friends and colleagues.

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The service of remembrance followed a police parade of more than 40 force standards from George Square to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, where they joined a guard of honour involving officers from the UK and overseas. Police Scotland arranged a flyover as a mark of respect.

Family members participated in the service, which poignantly honoured fallen officers’ commitment, courage, and sacrifice. This being the anniversary year of the Chinook helicopter tragedy on the Mull of Kintyre, a wreath was laid to commemorate lives lost in air disasters, many of which have happened on Scottish soil.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who gave a reading during the service, said: “Today, we mourn and remember all the officers who have given their lives in service to the public.

“We thank them and pay tribute to their bravery, their dedication and their sacrifice. We stand with their families who continue to live with the pain of losing their loved one and the pride for their incredible work to keep us safe.

“Policing is an extraordinary job – our officers run towards danger as others retreat. 

“We owe these officers a debt that can never be forgotten.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “On behalf of everyone in Scotland, I would like to take this opportunity to tell the officers and staff of Police Scotland how much we appreciate their bravery. I pledge we will not forget those who have lost their lives serving our communities. 

“I know all in Police Scotland are dedicated professionals performing their jobs to the highest standard and working hard to protect all of us, no matter the circumstances or the danger involved. 

“Every life lost in the line of duty is one we remember and this event allows us to honour all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while keeping us safe. We also recognise the loss felt by loved ones of those brave and committed officers, and they are in my thoughts.”

During the service, prayers were said by family members.

Martin Gottlieb, grandson of Special Constable Harry Davies, Lancashire Constabulary, died 24th December 1940. Fatally injured while dealing with an incendiary bomb during an enemy air raid.

Stewart Drake, son of Police Constable Joseph Stewart Drake, Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary. Died 11th August 1967. Killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car at Dennyloanhead as he tried to intercept it.

Martin Wiltshire, son of Detective Constable Malcolm James Victor Wiltshire, Hampshire Constabulary. Died 15th May 1985 when the plane he was onboard crashed.

Candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

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 29^th 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 25^th 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 2^nd 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 13^th July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course

David Threadgold, Chair, Scottish Police Federation read the names of officers who have lost their lives in the past year – Sergeant Graham Saville, Nottinghamshire Police; Sergeant Paul Frear, West Midlands Police; Constable Jack Cummings, West Yorkshire Police; and Acting Sergeant Reece Buckenham, Hertfordshire Constabulary.

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.

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.”

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 30^th 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 29^th 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 25^th 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 2^nd 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 13^th 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.”

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