‘This day is about remembering everything that is the bedrock of British policing’

25 September 2023

National Police Memorial Day reminds the nation that “what police officers do, matters”, Devon and Cornwall Police Federation has said.

Chair Richie Poole joined the families of fallen officers at the event in Cardiff on Sunday (24 September).

Speaking after the ceremony, Richard said: “We are here to celebrate, to commemorate and remember all those officers that have given the ultimate sacrifice and continue to do so.

“This day is about remembering everything that is the bedrock of British policing; what we all sign up to do, what we all swear an oath to do. And it’s about remembering those people that have given the ultimate sacrifice – they are not forgotten.

“This is such an important day because what police officers do, matters. It means a lot to myself, personally, and my colleagues. They put their lives on the line for the public and that’s a really important thing to do. We mustn’t forget that.”

More than 5,000 officers who lost their lives on duty were honoured at the event. The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out.

They are PCSO Daniel Gower, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary; Sgt Steven Creal, of Sussex Police; PC Richard Kemp, of Lancashire Constabulary; PC Bruce Lister, of Hertfordshire Constabulary; PC Neil Pattinson, of Northumbria Police; PC Andrew Boardman, of West Mercia Police; Insp Gareth Earp, of Dyfed-Powys Police; and Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Police, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 as a result of a road traffic collision.

Representing Scotland was David Taylor, son of PC George Taylor, of Strathclyde Police, who died aged 27 on 30 November 1976 after being attacked with an axe.

Representing England was Sid Mackay, father of PC Nina Alexandra Mackay, of the Metropolitan Police, who died aged 25 on 24 October 1997 having been stabbed by a wanted man. She was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s High Commendation for Bravery.

Representing Northern Ireland were Mervyn and Dorothy Reynolds, parents of Constable Philippa Reynolds, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who died aged 27 on 9 February 2013 after the police vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a stolen vehicle.

The service also heard a reading First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

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