The King sends a personal message on fifth anniversary of the dedication of the UK Police Memorial

His Majesty The King has sent his “warmest good wishes” to the police family as hundreds gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the UK Police Memorial.

The King’s personal message was read by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Graham Morley, during the poignant Ceremony of Remembrance. In it, His Majesty said:

I am deeply heartened to learn of this commemoration in honour of the many gallant police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. I trust that their families will derive some comfort in knowing that their memory will forever be remembered in this way.

I send my warmest good wishes to all those who are gathered for this ceremony of reflection and remembrance.

This year’s ceremony took place on Tuesday 28 July 2026, exactly five years after His Majesty, then HRH The Prince of Wales, dedicated the UK Police Memorial. Hundreds of bereaved family members, senior policing leaders, representatives from across the policing family, government, partners and supporters gathered to honour police officers and members of police staff who have given their lives in service to others.

Today, the UK Police Memorial stands as the nation’s all year place of remembrance and welcomes 400,000 visitors annually. It honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice, while celebrating lives of extraordinary courage, service and commitment

Moments before the ceremony began, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) flew over the Memorial, dipping its nose in tribute to the fallen from across UK policing.

Standard bearers from every UK police force lined Millennium Avenue, creating a powerful and moving guard of honour as the North Wales Police Choir sang in Heroes’ Square. Later in the ceremony, accompanied by a lone piper, the standard processed along Millennium Avenue to the UK Police Memorial, where they took their places around the iconic tribute for the Collective Act of Remembrance.

The ceremony was led by National Police Chaplain Matthew Hopley and featured moving readings, music and personal tributes from bereaved families.

One of the most poignant moments came when 15-year-old Holly read A Bird, the winning poem from the National Memorial Arboretum’s poetry competition, which encouraged students aged 12-15 to reflect on the courage, service and sacrifice of officers lost.

Gavin Stephens QPM, Chair of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust and Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said:

The Memorial reminds us that behind every name is a life lived, a family changed forever, and a story of courage, humanity and dedication.

It stands for the officers and staff who put duty first, and for the loved ones and colleagues who continue to carry their memory with pride and sorrow.

Five years on from its dedication, the UK Police Memorial continues to unite the police family in remembrance and ensures that those who gave everything in the service of others are never forgotten.

The ceremony featured a series of deeply personal tributes from bereaved families.

Samantha Dixon, widow of PC James Dixon of Thames Valley Police, who was killed in 2017, was joined by their eight-year-old son, Parker, to read A Life That Touches Others. Parker never had the opportunity to meet his father.

Paul Bone, father of PC Fiona Bone of Greater Manchester Police, who was murdered in 2012, read a poem entitled They Answered the Call in memory of his daughter and all those who have died serving their communities.

Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was killed alongside her colleague Fiona Bone in 2012, read A Reflection on Service and Sacrifice.

Throughout the ceremony, the British Police Symphony Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment. The service concluded with a Collective Act of Remembrance, and the Piper’s Lament as wreaths were laid at the foot of the Memorial, bringing the police family together in quiet reflection.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Paul Bone said:

It’s very important that the remembrance ceremony brings together all those who have lost a loved one. I’m very proud that my daughter is remembered in this way and it’s a great honour for me to be here to remember her and the others that have lost their lives.

The music, when the piper starts, nearly moves me to tears because it takes me back to the funeral when there was a piper leading the coffin. Those memories come flooding back every time I hear it.

Bryn Hughes said:

The Memorial itself represents a fitting tribute to so many sacrifices. When you visit on an ordinary day and see members of the public stopping to look at it, reading about it and taking an interest, that means a great deal to me.

You never expect to see your daughter’s name alongside officers that have been lost in the past. Even now, for me sometimes, it still feels unreal – to see her name – and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. But it means so much that she is being remembered, not just honoured, but remembered, and that’s quite important.

Five years after its dedication by His Majesty The King, the UK Police Memorial continues to stand as the nation’s enduring place of remembrance at the Arboretum for police officers and members of police staff who have given their lives protecting others. For bereaved families, colleagues and the wider public, it remains a place of comfort, reflection and gratitude, ensuring that their courage, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

**Photo courtesy of West Midlands Police