COPS service pays tribute to Herts PC

1 August 2023

Hertfordshire PC Bruce Lister was among the fallen officers honoured at this year’s Care of Police Survivors Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.

Bruce died suddenly on duty on 30 January this year.

The service, which was the 20^th organised by the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity, included a roll of honour of all those who have died since last year’s event:

PC Daniel Golding of the Metropolitan Police who died on 18 August 2022;

PCSO Daniel Gower of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary who died on 23 November 2022;

PS Steven Creal of Sussex Police who died on 21 December 2022;

PC Richard Kemp of Lancashire Constabulary who died on 27 December 2022;

PC Bruce Lister of Hertfordshire Police who died on 30 January 2023;

PC Neil Pattinson of Northumbria Police who died on 27 February 2023;

PC Andy Boardman of West Mercia Police who died on 11 April 2023, and

Inspector Gareth Earp of Dyfed Powys Police who died on 29 June 2023.

Ahead of the service, those attending welcomed the arrival of the Blue Knights, the world’s largest law enforcement motorcycle club and supporter of COPS from the time of the charity’s launch.

Minutes later, cyclists from the Police Unity Tour (PUT), made up of hundreds of riders from chapters covering forces across England and Wales, made their way into the arboretum to applause from the crowd.

The cyclists set off from their home force areas on Friday and make their way first to Drayton Manor in Staffordshire on the Saturday to be greeted by the families of fallen officers.

They then make their way to the arboretum on the Sunday morning for the last leg of their journey.

COPS riders complete the final leg of their charity ride.

The remembrance service was opened by Christine Fulton, co-founder of COPS and the charity’s life vice-president.

She talked about the dark days that followed the death of her husband of two years in Glasgow in 1994. PC Lewis Fulton was just 28 when he was stabbed to death as he sought to detain a knifeman who had already injured a police sergeant. 

But her life changed when retired police officer Jim McNulty encouraged her to attend a COPS service in America.

Thinking it would be an ‘interesting holiday’, she was unprepared for the impact the trip to the States would have on her and recalled that it was the first time she had found herself in a room full of people who understood how she felt which lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.

Realising how valuable that support would have been if she had received it at the start of her grieving process, Christine wrote to all chief constables when she returned to the UK seeking support to set up a similar organiation but was largely told that it was a ‘dreadful idea’ and that families did not want to remember their loss, but wanted to forget.

Undeterred, Christine forged ahead, telling the service that she expected 34 survivors to attend the first event, but 64 turned up. 

Peer support, she explained, was at the heart of the charity, adding that 300 family members were at this year’s service.

The family weekend could be life-changing and life affirming, said Christine.

“It proves you can move forward but you don’t leave your officer behind,” she added, “They are always with you. They are part of you, and always will be.”

Caroline Cox, younger sister of Inspector Mark Estall of Essex Police who died on 5 January 2017, talked about the positive impact COPS had on her life, describing it as ‘an incredible charity’.

She began by thanking all the PUT riders.

“You will never know how much it means to us,” said Caroline on behalf of fallen officers’ families, “To us, it means everything.”

In a similar vein, Katy McMurray, daughter of PC Alan McMurray of Lothian and Borders Police who died on 4 February 2006, when she was just two, talked about how the charity had helped her.

Katy recalled how meeting other children who had lost a police officer parent through COPS had helped her process her emotions and access support when she needed it.

The service also included music from the West Midlands Police Band, songs from vocalist Diane Whylie and an address from Gill Marshall, the COPS national president.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Office of the Lieutenancy, the High Sheriff’s Office, the Home Office, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire & Rescue Services, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Blue Light, the Police Unity Tour, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.

As Sir Peter Fahy, chair of the COPS trustees, prepared to close the service having also completed the PUT tour, the National Police Air Service helicopter flew over and performed a ‘bow’ to the congregation.

Families and other guests then made their way to The Beat – the avenue of trees dedicated to each force and to some individual officers – to lay red roses and wreaths.

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