An Honour To Remember Our Fallen Colleagues

29 September 2025

Coming together to remember the thousands of police officers who have died on duty at National Police Memorial Day is an honour, Cumbria Police Federation has said.

Members of the police family gathered in Coventry on Sunday 28 September for the 22^nd annual event, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out. They are PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce and PC Frank Hawkins, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Marcus Bennett, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police.

Also remembered was PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died from injuries sustained on duty on Friday (26 September).

Ed Russell, Chair of Cumbria Police Federation, said: “It's an honour to be here, to represent my colleagues from Cumbria Police in remembering our fallen colleagues, not only our fallen colleagues but those around the country as well.

“We talk about sacrifice, we talk about the things you go through at work but these people have paid the ultimate price and it's only right that we talk about nothing else other than remembering them on occasions like this.

“Looking around me, there are police officers everywhere. There are retired officers, there are officers and representatives from all across the country. It shows that, regardless of what happens, regardless of the pressures we face, this remains a family and hopefully will always be so.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and PFEW Chair Tiff Lynch.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for England was Kelly Swindells and her daughter Mabel, in memory of Kelly's father DC Michael Swindells QGM, of West Midlands Police. DC Swindells was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing. Mabel was born on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Peter Olphert, in memory of his father Constable John Robinson Olphert, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Constable Olphert was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Linsey Dempsey, in memory of her father PC Stuart Simpson, of Strathclyde Police. PC Simpson died when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

And lighting the candle for Wales was Lowri MacArthur, in memory of her father PC Terry Davies, of Gwent Police. PC Davies was killed after being struck by a stolen car that failed to stop as he cycled home from duty.

The families of six officers who have died in the line of duty were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem during the service. They are the families of PC Royston Jerred, of Sussex Police; Sgt Noel Lane and PC Mark Peers, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Andrew Le Comte, of West Midlands Police; PC Ian Rodgers, of Greater Manchester Police; and PC Dennis Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police.

At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.