Remembering fallen officers - National Police Memorial Day 2024

30 September 2024

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty have been honoured at the 21st annual National Police Memorial Day.

Members of the police family gathered at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Sunday 29 September, to honour almost 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out. They are Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police; Sgt Paul Frear, of West Midlands Police; PC Jack Cummings, of West Yorkshire Police; and Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Nick Jones, Chair of Devon & Cornwall Police Federation, said: “It’s really important to remember our fallen colleagues, and let’s not forget there are an awful lot of fallen colleagues over the years, who have died in the execution of their duty, and I think it’s only right and poignant that we remember them so that their service to the public and the communities isn’t forgotten.

“Everybody gets up and goes to work in the morning and nobody expects to make the ultimate sacrifice. But unfortunately, there are an awful lot of our members across the country, over the years, who have paid the ultimate price and died in the execution of their duty.”

Nick added: “I think it’s hugely important to highlight we’re all part of a big police family. This is one of the key moments in the policing calendar and the year where we can all come together and we can show those families that we do care, we are thinking of them, and we do honour those brave people that have died on duty.”

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Lighting the candle for Scotland were Margaret Collins and Helen Cruddis, mother and sister of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, of Police Scotland, who died on 29 November 2013 aged 43 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Lighting the candle for England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, of the Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 aged 54 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jill Davidson, wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who died on 2 June 1994 aged when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

Lighting the candle for Wales were Rob Jones and Chris Milne-Jones, brother and sister of PC Ralph Jones, of North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 aged 34 as a result of a road traffic incident while on a training course.

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."

During the service, a tribute was also paid to all those who lost their lives in air disasters, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre. A wreath was laid in their memory.

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