Fallen Colleagues Remembered at Care of Police Survivors Service

4 August 2025

There was emotion as police officers who have died on duty were remembered by their family and friends at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Annual Service of Remembrance.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August to pay their respects to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 1,000 people attended the service in Staffordshire – where the rain thankfully held off.

Events took place all weekend for surviving family members. 

During the one-hour service on Sunday, survivors recalled their loss and how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Two daughters of fallen police officers and a sister of a colleague who died on duty spoke with emotion and humour recalling their loved one.

The Roll of Honour for the police officers and who have died on duty during the past 12 months was read out.

Those remembered this year were Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Police; DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; PC Michael Bruce, of the Metropolitan Police; and PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The Police Unity Tour arrived before the Service of Remembrance – more than 500 cyclists who had ridden from across the country to the Arboretum in memory of fallen officers.

The cyclists raise money for the COPS charity – and this year raised in excess of £230,000.

PC Ange Cox was the lead rider for the Devon and Cornwall chapter of the Police Unity Tour, who rode 333 miles to get to the service.

She said: “It's the first time that Devon and Cornwall have got involved. It's great to be here, representing all those officers that have passed away, to be able to be here and do all that.

“Nobody wants to be in that situation, but at the same time it's nice to know that if it does happen, we do have that support for our families when it's needed and it's just there. We’re here to pay our respects and also to show those people who are families that have lost officers from Devon and Cornwall that we are here, we support and we do remember them as well.”

Also attending were the Blue Knights motorcyclists.