Chair honoured to be part of National Police Memorial Day service

28 September 2026

Dyfed Powys Federation chair Delme Rees said it was an honour to lay a police hat representing fallen officers from Wales during the National Police Memorial Day service.

Delme placed the hat on the altar during the moving service alongside hats England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

He said it was a poignant symbol of the shared sacrifice made by police officers across the UK.

Delme said: “It was a real honour to be asked to place the police hat on the altar representing Wales.

“To stand alongside representatives from the other three nations of the United Kingdom was incredibly poignant, and I was proud to represent our members and our Force at such an important occasion.”

 

Chair Delme Rees during the hat laying part of the National Police Memorial Day service

 

This year’s National Police Memorial Day service was held at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

The service was attended by thousands of people from across policing, alongside bereaved families, politicians, civic and faith leaders and supporters, to honour officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Delme said the annual service was an important opportunity to ensure the sacrifices made by fallen officers are never forgotten.

He said: “National Police Memorial Day is a hugely significant day in the policing calendar and is always incredibly emotional.

“It gives us the opportunity to come together as a policing family and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting others.

National Police Memorial Day

“It is also an opportunity to stand alongside the families, friends and colleagues of those officers and show that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“And for those of us who continue to serve, it is also a powerful reminder of the risks that police officers can face in the course of doing their jobs.”

Delme added: “It was a privilege to represent Dyfed Powys and Wales, and I know our members will share in honouring those whose names and service we commemorate.

“We owe it to them and their families to ensure their sacrifice is always remembered.”

Roll of honour

This year’s service was particularly poignant, with eight officers who had died on duty during the previous 12 months remembered during the commemorations.

They were:

• Police Constable Matthew Blades, Cleveland Police, aged 37

• Police Constable Tom Clough, Cleveland Police, aged 38

• Police Constable Alice Slominska, Bedfordshire Police, aged 19

• Police Constable Jess Turnbull, Northumbria Police, aged 19

• Police Constable Mark Chester, Ministry of Defence Police, aged 35

• Police Constable Mathew Parker, Essex Police, aged 43

• Police Constable Bradley Corke, Kent Police, aged 27

• Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb, Northamptonshire Police, aged 24

National Police Memorial Day service

The service opened with a processional march featuring flag bearers from forces across England and Wales, followed by music from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

National Police Chaplain the Reverend Matt Hopley opened the service before Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, welcomed the congregation.

Readings were delivered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Lady Ruth Hamilton, Patron of the RUC GC Widows’ Association.

Music was provided by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Male Voice Choir and Police Service of Northern Ireland Ladies Choir.

Candle lighting

Delme and colleagues representing England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland were carried hats to the front of the hall and laid them beside candles, before relatives representing each nation lit a candle.

The Northern Ireland candle was lit by Jackie Gorman, mother of Police Constable Kevin Declan Gorman, who died aged 24 on 23 November 2008 alongside three colleagues while responding to a call for assistance.

The Welsh candle was lit by Dorothy Ellis, mother of Police Constable Adrian Bryn Ellis, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 after being killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.

The Scottish candle was lit by Christine Fulton MBE, wife of Police Constable Lewis George Fulton, who died aged 28 on 17 June 1994 after being stabbed during a violent struggle while protecting members of the public.

The English candle was lit by Chris Prior, husband of Police Constable Rosie Prior, who died aged 45 on 11 January 2025 after being struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.

Remembrance

The congregation stood for The Last Post as petals fell in remembrance of lives lost.

The lights were then dimmed, with members of the congregation holding flameless candles as a spotlight illuminated the Book of Remembrance, which contains the names of all officers who have died on duty. A lone piper was also illuminated as part of the ceremony.

Eight red flameless candles were placed on the altar table in tribute to the officers who had died during the previous 12 months.

The service concluded with the Act of Commitment, led by Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher QPM, followed by the Benediction and National Anthem.

The next National Police Memorial Day will be held in Wales on Sunday 26 September 2027, with the venue to be confirmed.

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