Fed rep recalls emotion of memorial day service

28 September 2022

Hertfordshire Police Federation representative Gareth Rees says the National Police Memorial Day was an “emotional” occasion.

Gareth, a branch workplace representative, joined the families, friends and colleagues of fallen officers as well as police chiefs, serving officers and politicians for a memorial service at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Sunday.

Gareth explained: “To me, National Police Memorial Day is one of the most important – if not the most important – day in the policing calendar. It’s a day when we remember those colleagues who did not get to return to their families at the end of the shift. They will have left their homes to report for duty not knowing that they would not make it home.

“We should never forget their sacrifice and that of their families whose lives will never be the same again.

“During the memorial day service, we stand side by side with those families to show them that they remain part of our policing family.”

The service was attended by around 2,000 people, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service.

She said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you. Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering – society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Representing England was Kat Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, who died on 26 January 2000, aged 47. He sustained fatal injuries when the police vehicle he was driving was in a single vehicle collision on the M6.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year – PC Daniel Golding, Metropolitan Police, PC Craig Higgins, Greater Manchester Police, PC Alex Prentice, Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

He said: “National Police Memorial Day is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best in policing not only in Northern Ireland but throughout the United Kingdom.

“Daily we see officers stepping up to the mark to safeguard communities and, sadly, on occasion, some officers are injured or lose their lives in the execution of their duties. This weekend, we say to assembled families that the police ‘family’ recognises, appreciates, and empathises with what you are experiencing and will never forget the sacrifices your loved ones made.”

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the orchestra played Abide with me and the Last Post was sounded.

Canon David Wilbraham MBE, national police chaplain and co-ordinator of National Police Memorial Day, said: “This is the first time the National Police Memorial Day family has been able to gather in remembrance since the pandemic. Today we held those lost in honour - their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”