Fallen Officers Remembered At National Police Memorial Day

25 September 2023

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty have been honoured at the annual National Police Memorial Day.

Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, joined family members of fallen Hampshire officers in Cardiff on Sunday 24 September, to honour more than 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty across the country.

Zoe said: “I think it’s hugely significant. Officers have lost their lives purely for doing their job, and it’s really important that we never forget those that have obviously made that ultimate sacrifice.

“We are a police family and they are a part of our family, and the impact of their loved ones of losing them, it never goes away. Even we’ve got families here who lost their loved ones 20 years ago, but the pain is still the same.

“So it’s lovely that we can have a day like this where they can come and, not only can they remember, but they can also see that their loved ones haven’t been forgotten.”

The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out. They are PCSO Daniel Gower, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary; Sgt Steven Creal, of Sussex Police; PC Richard Kemp, of Lancashire Constabulary; PC Bruce Lister, of Hertfordshire Constabulary; PC Neil Pattinson, of Northumbria Police; PC Andrew Boardman, of West Mercia Police; Insp Gareth Earp, of Dyfed-Powys Police; and Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Police, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 as a result of a road traffic collision.

Representing Scotland was David Taylor, son of PC George Taylor, of Strathclyde Police, who died aged 27 on 30 November 1976 after being attacked with an axe.

Representing England was Sid Mackay, father of PC Nina Mackay, of the Metropolitan Police, who died aged 25 on 24 October 1997 having been stabbed by a wanted man. She was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s High Commendation for Bravery.

Representing Northern Ireland were Mervyn and Dorothy Reynolds, parents of Constable Philippa Reynolds, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who died aged 27 on 9 February 2013 after the police vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a stolen vehicle.

The service also heard a reading First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

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