Memorial service honours fallen officers

30 September 2025

Lisa Flanagan attended yesterday’s service at Coventry Cathedral with workplace representative Special Sergeant Gary Saunders and said she found it very moving.

“While the service honours our fallen colleagues, it also allows the police service to come together with the loved ones those officers have left behind and show them our support, while also demonstrating that their sacrifice is not forgotten,” says Lisa.

“I was honoured to represent the branch and Derbyshire Federation members at the service. The cathedral was packed with officers of all ranks and from across the UK and further afield as well as politicians, including the new Home Secretary and policing minister, civic leaders and other policing stakeholders.

Special Sergeant Gary Saunders and branch chair Lisa Flanagan

“The service was a fitting tribute to fallen officers and truly honoured their memory. There were some poignant moments, as you would expect, but I hope the families of our fallen colleagues also found some comfort from the day.

Gary, who has been volunteering as a Special for eight years, added: “I jumped at the chance to come to the event.

“I think it’s very important that we pay tribute and remember our fallen colleagues, whether they are regular officers or Specials - it’s equally as important, we all play a vital role in policing.

“The service was very moving. I’d recommend anyone in the policing family to attend a memorial day if they get the chance.”

Service

During the service, Tiff Lynch, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) read out the names of seven officers who had lost their lives during the past year:

PC Ian Minett, 38, of Gloucestershire Constabulary

PC Michael Bruce, 48, of the Metropolitan Police

PC Frank Hawkins, 52, of the Metropolitan Police

PC Marcus Bennett, 44, of the Civic Nuclear Constabulary

PC Rosie Prior, 45, of North Yorkshire Police

DC Karen Smith, 49, of Humberside Police, and

PC Faizaan Najeeb, 24, of Northamptonshire Police, who died just two days before the service.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a Bible reading from The Beatitudes, Mathew 5: 1 – 12 while the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, read from the Colossians 3: 12 – 17.

The Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the Bishop of Coventry, addressed the service and The Big Sing Community Choir performed before Elizabeth Emblems were presented to the families of five police officers: PC Royston Jerred of Sussex Police, Sergeant Noel Lane of the Metropolitan Police, PC Mark Peers of the Metropolitan Police, PC Ian Rodgers of Greater Manchester Police and PC Dennis Smith QPM of Devon and Cornwall Police. The emblem will also be presented to the family of PC Andrew Le Comte of West Midlands Police who were unable to attend the service.

The Government announced the introduction of the Elizabeth Emblem, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, in March last year. The emblem is in recognition of those who lost their lives while undertaking eligible public service, including police officers listed on the roll of honour.

Chaplain

After the presentation of the emblems by the Home Secretary, the bidding and opening prayers were led by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE, associate chaplain of the Jewish Police Association; Imam Mohammad Asad MBE, the West Midlands Police chaplain, and Ashna Tumber, secretary of the National Sikh Police Association.

A prayer for those who mourn was read by Daniel Rodgers, son of PC Ian Rodgers of Greater Manchester Police who died on 3 April 1975, eight days after being injured when he was struck by a train as he and another colleague searched the track. Daniel emigrated to Australia in 1998 and joined his mother, Pauline, at the service to mark the 50thanniversary of Ian’s death.

A prayer for unity and hope was read by Gwent Police Federation workplace representative Inspector Jamie Jones. Jamie, who works mainly in response, delivered the prayer in memory of Gwent colleagues PC Steven Jenkins, aged 43, who died on 6 October 2017 after becoming suddenly unwell at Pillgwenily Police Station; PC Leighton Yhnell who was 51 when he died suddenly at home on 16 February 2018 and PC Rhys Kelleher, 28, who died on 21 August 2019 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Former Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland officer Yvonne Davidson read a prayer for light in darkness while Iyona Shaar, an active member of the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, read a prayer for peace and leaders.

During an act of remembrance, symbolic candles were lit, one for each of the nations of the UK to remind everyone of the undying flame of devotion and commitment exemplified by the fallen officers honoured within the service:

Representing England, Kelly Swindells and one-year-old Mabel, the daughter and granddaughter of West Midlands DC Michael Swindells QGM who died on 21 May 2004, aged 44, when he was stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing.

Congregation

Representing Northern Ireland, Peter Olphert, son of RC John Robinson Olphert RUC who died on 18 January 1983, aged 39, when he was shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Representing Wales, PC Lowri MacArthur, a serving Gwent officer, remembering her father PC Terry Davies who was 34 when he died on 23 August 1990 after been struck by a stolen car that failed to stop.

Representing Scotland, Linsey Dempsey, a serving Police Scotland officer, remembering her father PC Stuart Simpson of Strathclyde Police who died on 28 March 1994, aged 26, when his police car was involved in a head-on crash with a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

Towards the end of the service which also included music from the West Midlands Police Band and the Choir of Coventry Cathedral, the peace bell was sounded and, during a period of silence, petals of remembrance, representing fallen officers, fell from the gallery. The Last Post was then sounded and, after another short silence, Reveille.

Following a closing blessing, the service ended with the congregation singing the National Anthem.

More than 5,000 police officers have died on duty in the past 180 years but the National Police Memorial Day itself was only initiated in May 2001 by now retired Kent Inspector Joe Holness OBE QPM following the death of his colleague PC Jon Odell in Margate in December the previous year.

The first National Police Memorial Day service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Sunday 3 October 2004 and since then the services, which rotate around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each year, are held on the nearest Sunday to St Michael’s Day (29 September) as St Michael is the patron saint of police officers.

National Police Memorial Day 2026 will be held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Sunday 27 September.

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December 2025