Branch chair inspired by Police Unity Tour as Arboretum hosts service for fallen officers

11 August 2026

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan attended the National Memorial Arboretum yesterday (Sunday 9 August) for this year’s Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Service of Remembrance, commemorating officers who have died in the line of duty.

The annual event marked the closing of the 2026 Police Unity Tour (PUT), after cyclists from across the country - including 10 Derbyshire Constabulary personnel - arrived at the arboretum in Staffordshire as the end destination of their charity bike ride.

Lisa was also joined by Acting Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, with the service representing an opportunity to honour the lives of fallen officers.

A floral tribute to Derbyshire's fallen officers at the National Memorial Arboretum

“The service was absolutely beautiful, and with the weather being so nice, you could feel the warmth of the policing family coming together more than ever,” said Lisa.

“It was nice to see the family and friends of our fallen colleagues, and I hope they were able to take some comfort from the event, in terms of their loved one clearly being remembered by the profession they once gave so much to.

“It’s so important that they continue to feel included and supported, and the work of COPS also helps to achieve that all year round. It was great to know that everything that went on at the arboretum, added together with this year’s PUT, was raising money for such a crucial charity.

Arboretum

“I’d also like to send my best wishes once again to our branch members who were involved in the PUT - you are a credit to our Federation, and I hope you got plenty out of the weekend.”

As in previous years, Derbyshire’s PUT participants formed part of the East Midlands chapter to cover 180 miles in three days, travelling across five counties in the process.

Lisa added she is strongly considering taking part in next year’s event herself, having seen first-hand the strength and togetherness of the chapter as they rode into the arboretum on the final leg of their journey.

The Service of Remembrance was opened by COPS president Gill Marshall, and then a reading from Katie Hull, the daughter of Hertfordshire Police Constable Ronald Hull, who was killed by a speeding car on this day in 1989.

Joanne Woodward, sister of South Wales Police Sergeant Mark Woodward, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2002, also shared her story.

Line of duty

The Roll of Honour was then read out, featuring the names of all officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year:

Police Constable Marcus Bennett, of Civil Nuclear Constabulary, who died on 30 January 2025
Police Constable Francis Hawkins, of Metropolitan Police, who died on 11 February 2025
Police Constable Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, who died on 21 June 2025
Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died on 26 September 2025
Police Constable Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, who died on 19 November 2025
Police Constable Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, who died on 21 March 2026
Police Constable Mark Chester, of Ministry of Defence Police, who died on 2 May 2026
Police Constable Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, who died on 10 June 2026
Police Constable Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, who died on 17 July 2026.

After a minute’s silence was observed, wreaths were laid by for the Office of the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, the High Sheriff’s Office, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the College of Policing, the Blue Knights, the Police Unity Tour, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.

The final reading came from Ella Dent, the stepdaughter of Metropolitan Police Constable Chris Dent, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2009.

Attendees heard music performed by the West Midlands Police Brass Band and West Midlands Superintendent Sam Batey.

Chief Constable Sir John Robins QPM DL, from the COPS Chair of Trustees, closed the service. Families and guests then made their way to The Beat, an avenue of trees dedicated to individual forces and officers, to lay wreaths and single red roses.