Tributes paid to inspirational PC Ellie Downes

23 April 2025

All at Humberside Police Federation are devastated to share the news of the sad death of our truly inspirational colleague PC Ellie Downes.

Our thoughts are with her husband Max, her family, friends and close colleagues at this time.

Ellie showed huge amounts of determination and courage while undergoing years of cancer treatment at such a young age.

All she wanted to do was to return to work as a Humberside Police Officer despite her illness. She just wanted to help people.

It was our honour to name her the first ever winner of the Humberside Police Federation Inspiration and Resilience in Policing Award in 2023.

Humberside Police Federation Chair Lee Sims said: “We are so saddened to hear and share this news today.

"It has been our honour to get to know Ellie over these past few years. They created the word 'inspirational' for her.

"She fought cancer with courage. With such an incredible attitude and with such a lovely smile on her face. I can truly say we will never forget her.

"We will be supporting family, friends and colleagues as best we can at this time."