New police memorial to be unveiled

27 July 2021

A memorial honouring police officers and staff who lost their lives in the line of duty is to be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum tomorrow (Wednesday 28 July).

The special ceremony of dedication will be attended by senior politicians, civic dignitaries, representatives from all police forces across the country, policing charities and the families and friends of fallen officers at the arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

The Force will be represented by Chief Constable Charlie Hall who will be joined by DC Mandy Katie Hull and family. DC Hull’s father, PC Ron Hull, died on duty in November 1989 when he was struck by a car while helping an Army ambulance crew at the scene of a serious road accident at Royston in thick fog.

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell, who is representing the branch at the ceremony, said: “This important new memorial will serve as a fitting and permanent tribute to every fallen member of the police service.

“We are pleased their dedication, professionalism and selflessness is being recognised in this way.

“It is also a poignant reminder that police officers put themselves at risk every day, often in the most challenging of circumstances, and all too often they pay the ultimate price for that. Their sacrifice, and that of their families, must never be forgotten.”

UK Police Memorial chair of trustees Sir Hugh Orde said: “After seven years of fund-raising and 12 months of construction, we can finally dedicate this beautiful and iconic memorial that pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all those police officers and staff who have paid the ultimate price.

“The 12-metre-tall brass memorial, with its leaf-shaped apertures representing courage, sacrifice and lives lost, is set within a beautifully landscaped area, and has been designed for ceremony, tribute and personal acts of reflection.

“As a nation, we owe all those who have laid down their lives to keep us safe and protect us from harm a huge debt of gratitude. This memorial will ensure that the memory of those officers and staff who have died lives on in perpetuity.”

He added: “This is a place that will not only honour the courage and sacrifice of the men and women from our police service, but it will become a fitting tribute to honour all those who continue to serve.”

The National Memorial Arboretum is the nation’s place of year-round remembrance. It is home to almost 400 memorials, including the National Armed Forces Memorial, and attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year.

Members of the public can watch the event live online through the memorial website www.ukpolicememorial.org.