Impossible To Comprehend How Police Families Deal With Loss Of Loved Ones

28 September 2020

The 17th National Police Memorial Day Service remembering thousands of police officers who have died on duty was as emotional and moving as ever this year, despite being held virtually.

The online service – which featured police and religious leaders, politicians and families of fallen officers – was made even more poignant following the murder of Metropolitan Police officer Sgt Matt Ratana just two days before.

Prince Charles, who is patron of NPMD, paid tribute to UK police officers, saying they had “earned the admiration of the world” and would always have a "special place in the heart" of our grateful nation.

He said: “The dreadful incident in Croydon is an example of the dangers our police officers face daily. We owe our remarkable police officers the most profound debt of gratitude.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “When I think of our officers I think of the extraordinary courage they show every day. The officers we remember today represent the very best of us. They laid down their lives to prevent us from coming to harm. We own them a huge debt.”

Neil Mennie, Chairman of Kent Police Federation, said: “The shooting and death of a police officer in Croydon was a shocking event and all of us in the policing family will have stopped to reflect and take a moment.

“As the details have unfolded we learn of the type of man he was and the tributes that have been made to Sgt Matt Ratana have been exceptional – a ‘big guy with a big heart’ amongst many other moving plaudits.

“Yesterday was National Police Memorial Day which is a time to reflect on all of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This service was conducted remotely but had an added poignancy with such a recent tragedy.

“All of us will continue to do our duties whatever and wherever they are, and with the intention of returning home to our loved ones and families at the end of the shift. It’s impossible to comprehend the impact on friends and families, loved ones and colleagues who are close to those who don’t return.

“This is indeed at times a dangerous and difficult job that we choose to do in order to serve the public and try and make our society a safer place for everyone.

“Often before going out on patrol someone would shout in a light-hearted way ‘be careful out there’.

“I now reflect on those words and the ultimate sacrifice made by those officers who we remember at such difficult times.

“Look after each other and we will of course remain determined to do the job and face the risks as did our fallen colleagues.”

The service also received contributions from the Home Secretary, who gave a tribute and a reading, and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The British Police Symphony Orchestra played ‘I vow to thee my country’, with more than 60 musicians who had proudly recorded their contributions while in isolation from homes across the UK.

More than 4,000 police officers who have died on duty were remembered.

Officers who have died on duty over the past year had their names read out. They are Sgt Matt Ratana and PC Chris Miller, of the Metropolitan Police; SC Resham Singh Nahal, of West Midlands Police; PC Matt Lannie, of South Yorkshire Police; PC Nick Dumphreys, of Cumbria Police; DC Jon Hicken, of Dorset Police; and PC Roy Buggins, of Police Scotland.

If you missed it, you can see the service again here: https://www.polfed.org/news-media/latest-news/2020/fallen-officers-honoured-at-national-police-memorial-day/