Fallen Colleagues Remembered at Care of Police Survivors Service

4 August 2025

There was emotion as police officers who have died on duty were remembered by their family and friends at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Annual Service of Remembrance.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August to pay their respects to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 1,000 people attended the service in Staffordshire – where the rain thankfully held off.

Events took place all weekend for surviving family members.

Essex Police Federation Chair Steve Martin said it was poignant that some survivors from Essex joined in the Police Unity Tour with officers to cycle to the National Memorial Arboretum.

He said: “It's quite a poignant thing, we've got a number of survivors in that Chapter that ride with us. They can tell us the stories about their loved ones, but it's an opportunity for me just to remember those people.

“Our fallen colleagues have given up their lives for the job. They're the bravest of the brave. We shouldn't forget them, and these sorts of events are really good to get people together so we can go and lay wreaths and flowers, and it gives people the opportunity to get together and meet old friends as well.

“It just shows how big the family is, that it doesn't matter what force you work for, whereabouts in the country you've ridden, you'll all come together and you're here for the same thing and that's to remember people.”

Chief Constable BJ Harrington added: “We've got to remember the amazing stuff that gets done by police officers, by staff, protecting communities across the country. We don't tell these stories enough. We don't tell the stories of people who have given their lives to keep their community safe. If we don't tell them, no one else will.

“It's a privilege to be here. It's amazing to see the guys and girls who are riding for the Unity Tour, the Blue Knights; just making sure we keep the memories of those people who have given their everything.

“That's what policing is about – protecting communities – and that's what we're celebrating and commemorating.”

During the one-hour service on Sunday, survivors recalled their loss and how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Two daughters of fallen police officers and a sister of a colleague who died on duty spoke with emotion and humour recalling their loved one.

The Roll of Honour for the police officers and who have died on duty during the past 12 months was read out.

Those remembered this year were Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Police; DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; PC Michael Bruce, of the Metropolitan Police; and PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The Police Unity Tour arrived before the Service of Remembrance – more than 500 cyclists who had ridden from across the country to the Arboretum in memory of fallen officers.

The cyclists raise money for the COPS charity – and this year raised in excess of £230,000.

Also attending were the Blue Knights motorcyclists.