There was emotion as police officers who have died on duty were remembered by their family and friends at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Annual Service of Remembrance.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August to pay their respects to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 1,000 people attended the service in Staffordshire – where the rain thankfully held off.

Events took place all weekend for surviving family members. 

Humberside Police Federation Secretary Dan Haile said the weekend was particularly personal for the force this year, having lost colleague Karen Smith.

He said: “COPS weekend is remembering the people that we've lost, our police officers that have died on duty. We've lost Karen Smith recently in our force. Russ Wylie before that.

“We've lost many colleagues and this is about remembering them and the Police Unity Tour riding in memory of them. We also have survivors riding with us. We have Christine Wilson, a sister-in-law, riding with us this weekend as well, which is really emotional and just lovely.

“We do a job that isn't appreciated, it's really dangerous, it's risky, officers aren’t valued enough and it's important to remember the sacrifices that they make.”

During the one-hour service on Sunday, survivors recalled their loss and how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Two daughters of fallen police officers and a sister of a colleague who died on duty spoke with emotion and humour recalling their loved one.

The Roll of Honour for the police officers and who have died on duty during the past 12 months was read out.

Those remembered this year were Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Police; DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; PC Michael Bruce, of the Metropolitan Police; and PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The Police Unity Tour arrived before the Service of Remembrance – more than 500 cyclists who had ridden from across the country to the Arboretum in memory of fallen officers.

The cyclists raise money for the COPS charity – and this year raised in excess of £230,000.

Dan was part of the support team providing food and drinks to cyclists along the route from Humberside to Staffordshire.

He said: “I've done this for five years now and I know the previous Secretary did it before me. It’s to support the riders to get through this chapter; we go ahead of them, set up drink and feed stops and look after them all the way – medically, feed, drink, preparing bikes and stuff like that.

“As our local Federation branch, we support by giving our welfare van, which has a toilet, and food and drink on it. It's nice to be part of the team, which is massive now, it's getting about 50 people.

“It just shows the unity doesn't it, the name of the tour, it shows what unity is. Everyone coming together and being one and getting each other through it.

“You see some remarkable sights – people helping each other up hills and all sorts. But I haven't had anyone pay me to hook onto the van yet!”

Also attending were the Blue Knights motorcyclists.