Police family gathers to remember fallen officers at National Police Memorial Day

27 September 2021

Humberside Police Federation has paid its respects to the thousands of officers who have died on police duty.

Federation Rep and Traffic Inspector Tony Tinsdale joined Federation colleagues from across the country to remember the fallen at the 18th annual National Police Memorial Day at Lincoln Cathedral on 26th September.

The annual event honours more than 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty. It was the first time the police family had gathered together for National Police Memorial Day since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tony attended the event to honour the memory of Humberside officer James Heaton who was killed whilst driving to attend a road traffic accident. He was just 30 when he died in 1998.

“I’m here to pay our respects to James and to represent him and his family. He was driving a traffic car when he died so it feels appropriate that I’m here to remember him,” Tony said.

“Our Chief Constable is here too and it’s good to have everyone pulling together and to be here for the same reason - to remember those who went to work but didn’t come home.”

The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out during the poignant ceremony.

HRH The Prince of Wales, who is patron of NPMD, said the country was ‘forever grateful for the steadfast dedication to duty of our police officers who have adapted and worked so tirelessly amidst the ever-changing circumstances’ of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Writing in the commemorative brochure, Prince Charles said: “We owe a most profound debt of gratitude to our police service and its remarkable officers, who, along with their families, will continue to have a very special place in the heart of our nation.”

Officers who have died in the past year were remembered during the service. They are: Sgt Paul Keany, of Northamptonshire Police; PC Christopher Miller, of the Metropolitan Police; Sgt Matt Ratana, of the Metropolitan Police; PC Thomas White, of Police Scotland; PC Darryl Street of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and PC Quamar Zaman, of Greater Manchester Police.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing England was Jayne Clemson, daughter of PC Ray Davenport, of Merseyside Police, who died in 1981 following a traffic incident.

Representing Northern Ireland was Andrea Brown, daughter of RUC Sgt Eric Brown, who was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen in 1983.

Representing Wales was Rhianydd Gardiner, great-niece of PC Noel Alexander, who died in 1964 because of injuries sustained in a training incident.

Representing Scotland was Faye Buggins, widow of PC Roy Buggins, who collapsed and died on duty in 2019.

The service also heard a reading from Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Addressing the service, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “Policing is a vocation… the women and men of the front line have risen magnificently to the challenges of the past 18 months.

“Today, we pay tribute to the courage of those killed in service, and the great courage showed by their families ever since.

“Today, we thank them for who they were, and we thank them for what they did and what they contributed to society.

“Police officers know their actions may cost their lives. The loss of a colleague on duty is felt by each and every member of the service.”

Addressing the families present, she said: “We will never forget you or the sacrifice that your loved ones made.”

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.