Federation remembers brave PC

10 April 2025

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Hertfordshire PC Frank Mason.

Frank, 27, was off duty and walking his dog when he was shot dead as he tried to stop the armed robbery of a security van in Hemel Hempstead on 14 April 1988.

He had arrested one suspect when he was shot in the chest by a second man and died of his injuries.

Frank was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal to recognise his bravery.

Bravery

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell said: “It is now 37 years since Frank tragically died after acting in the finest traditions of policing and, despite being off duty, doing his utmost to stop criminals in their tracks.

“He paid for his bravery with his life and we must never forget him, nor the family he left behind who have had to rebuild their lives without him."

The Frank Mason Memorial Award was established to commemorate his life and is presented to a Dacorum-based officer displaying similar dedication to the service as Frank.