Fallen Colleagues Remembered at National Police Memorial Day

29 September 2025

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 22nd annual National Police Memorial Day.

Members of the police family gathered in Coventry on Sunday 28 September, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out. They are PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce and PC Frank Hawkins, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Marcus Bennett, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police.

Also remembered was PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died from injuries sustained on duty on Friday (26 September).

Spencer Wragg, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation said: "It's a really important day. It's a day that I wish we wouldn't need but it's really important that we mark it each year. I know when I became the Chair last year it was one thing that was on my mind from day one that I would actually get the honour of representing Hampshire here today and I think it's really, really important. You see by the number of people and the number of families how important it is to them as well.

"It's the fact that actually we know that our colleagues… in fact we've seen it only this week, colleagues have lost their life in their duty. It's just so, so important. If we don't remember it, who will? The public expect us to do a duty and I think it's important that we continue to remember these days.

"I think it's just really important that we're all here together from all around the UK for the same reason."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and PFEW Chair Tiff Lynch.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for England was Kelly Swindells and her daughter Mabel, in memory of Kelly's father DC Michael Swindells QGM, of West Midlands Police. DC Swindells was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing. Mabel was born on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Peter Olphert, in memory of his father Constable John Robinson Olphert, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Constable Olphert was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Linsey Dempsey, in memory of her father PC Stuart Simpson, of Strathclyde Police. PC Simpson died when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

And lighting the candle for Wales was Lowri MacArthur, in memory of her father PC Terry Davies, of Gwent Police. PC Davies was killed after being struck by a stolen car that failed to stop as he cycled home from duty.