Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie and Chief Constable BJ Harrington escorted families of fallen Essex officers to the service in Belfast on 25 September.

Laura said: “This is an extremely important day in which we remember our colleagues that have paid the ultimate price. And it’s also important that we bring loved ones into the fold. They are part of our blue family.”

Four Essex families attended along with the Federation, which enabled lots of reminiscing and healing, Laura said.

She added: “We’ve got to keep coming back year after year. The families never forget. And we shouldn’t forget, because they’ve paid the sacrifice doing the job that they were paid to do.”

CC Harrington said it was important the police family never forgets the sacrifice of officers who have given their lives.

He said: “Every day, officers from across the United Kingdom put their lives on the line to protect and serve communities, whoever they are. When people make the ultimate sacrifice, it’s important we never forget that. Never forget that for the families, and for the colleagues who serve now.

“Their memory needs to live on through memorial services like this so we keep getting people who want to come forward and keep their communities safe.”

CC Harrington said the event was vital to show families, officers and the public that the service doesn’t forget, and it looks after the people who have lost their loved ones.

He added: “We do the same job, whether we wear a different uniform in a different country, whichever part. We protect and service communities. It’s an important part of what British policing is about.

“We work for His Majesty the King, we all saw how the country came together to give a commemoration send off to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and we come together now for the community of police officers, as a family, to make we show we care, we care about each other, we care about the job we do and we care about the communities we serve.”

Essex joined the Home Secretary and police chiefs, families, friends and former colleagues of the fallen at Waterfront Hall to pay tribute to officers’ commitment, courage and sacrifice.

Members of the Royal family, who would normally attend, were absent as they are still in mourning for HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The names of officers who lost their lives over the past year were read out at the event by Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. They are: PC Daniel Golding, of the Met; PC Craig Higgins, of Greater Manchester Police; PC Alex Prentice, of Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering – society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives – one from each of the four nations of the UK.

Representing Northern Ireland was Stephen Wylie-Young, son of Constable William Raymond Wylie QPM. Stephen was just six months old when his father was murdered.

Representing Wales was Sgt Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terence John Davies, of Gwent Police.

Representing Scotland was George Barnsley, friend and colleague of DS William Ross Hunt, of Strathclyde Police.

And representing England was Kathryn Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, of Cumbria Police.

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