Greater Manchester Police Federation honour fallen colleagues at National Police Memorial Day

30 September 2019

Representatives from Greater Manchester Police Federation honoured their fallen colleagues at National Police Memorial Day on Sunday, as Stu Berry said the police family are “all brothers and sisters”.

Members of the police family gathered at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow at the 16th annual National Police Memorial Day to honour the more than 4,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty. The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out.

HRH The Prince of Wales, who is Patron of National Police Memorial Day was among those attending the service, led by Canon David Wilbraham. He was joined by Home Secretary Priti Patel; Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, more than 40 Chief Constables and 1,500 police officers and family members.

Stu said the representatives from GMP Federation attended the memorial to support the families of fallen officers.

He said: “We’re here to support the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of what we all believe in and I’m especially glad to see the Chief Constable is here to support us again.

“I’m glad we’re supported by other countries. We’re all brothers and sisters, wherever we’re from and we all want to do the right thing for members of our communities.

“We’ve got about fifteen families and approximately 30 people [at the memorial]. We’re proud to say we’re bringing one of the biggest contingents across England and Wales, and long may it continue.

And he said that holding the memorial every year also gives the families an opportunity to talk and to share their experience.

He added: “It shows our appreciation and gives the families an opportunity to actually speak to each other and support each other throughout the year. They’ve become great friends and it would be remiss of us not to support them.

“They’ve made such a sacrifice for the public, for the police, and it’s exactly why we’re here, to support that and highlight it.

“The public appreciate it and I think there’s a lot of support for the police these days, quite rightly so.”

In the commemorative brochure, HRH The Prince of Wales said: “Policing in the United Kingdom has enormous pressures to contend with, no more so than on the front line. As society changes, so must the way in which we support and protect our communities. Your job is one of the toughest there is, and all too often your efforts go unrecognised.

“I am proud to be with you today, and I particularly want you to know how very much I appreciate all that you do, and the sacrifices you make. You and your families have a very special place in the heart of this nation.”

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing Scotland was Margaret Sinclair and her daughter Patricia, for PC Leslie Sinclair, who died in 1972 following a road traffic collision.

Representing England was Rumbie Mabuto and her children Kenny and Sophia, for DC Joe Mabuto, who died after suffering a heart attack on duty. Representing Wales was William Parker, son of PC Andy Parker, who was killed in a motorbike crash when travelling home after a night shift.

And representing Northern Ireland was Margo Hetherington, daughter of Reserve Constable Jacob Rankin, who was fatally shot in 1978 whilst on duty by terrorists.

Andrea MacDonald, Chair of the Scottish Police Federation, read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year: PC Joseph Robert Cooke and Sgt Colin Michael Fox, both of the Met; PC Daniel Clayton-Drabble, PC Kevin Flint and PC Andrew Harper, all of Thames Valley Police; and PC Roy Buggins, of Police Scotland. The service also paid tribute to US Special Agent Nole Remagen, who died while on duty in Scotland.

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