Memorial day honours fallen officers

1 October 2018

Thousands of police officers who have died or been killed in the line of duty were honoured at the annual National Police Memorial Day service in Belfast yesterday.

Families, friends, colleagues, senior officers, and Government officials – including the Home Secretary - were welcomed on arrival at the Waterfront Hall by a guard of honour formed by representatives from forces in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and uniformed officers from overseas forces.

Leicestershire Police Federation secretary Matt Robinson was part of the guard of honour and also attended the service which rotates around England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is held on the last Sunday of September each year.

“The memorial day service is one of the key dates in the policing year and it is important for us to take the opportunity to remember those who sadly never returned home at the end of their shifts,” said Matt.

“During the service, I took a few moments to remember our Leicestershire colleagues who died while serving their communities. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and their families will remain a part of our police family.”

The congregation was welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid gave a reading at the service and later said: “It was an honour to help pay tribute to the thousands of police officers and staff who have given their lives while serving and protecting us all, including those who died in the First World War.

“The National Police Memorial service is an important and poignant reminder of the courage shown by the police each and every day.”

The sermon was given by The Right Reverend Dr Charles McMullen, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, before prayers were read by Denis Gunn, father of PC Richard Gunn of Surrey Police and Pearl Marshall, mother of Constable Michael Frederick Leslie Marshall of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

Canon David Wilbraham, National Police Chaplain, led the act of remembrance during which Sid Mackay, chair of the Police Roll of Honour, laid a wreath to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and in memory of the police officers who lost their lives.

Candles from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were lit by family members of fallen officers to signify the undying flame of devotion and commitment.

Representing Northern Ireland: Joseph Ferguson and Susan Ferguson O’Neill, brother and sister of Constable Michael John Ferguson (21) of the RUC who was murdered by the IRA in 1993.

Representing Wales: Jayne Griffiths, wife of PC Terence John Davies (34) of Gwent Police, who was killed in 1990 when cycling home after a tour of duty. He was hit by a stolen car which failed to stop.

Representing Scotland: Callum Alcock, son of PC John Alcock of Grampian Police, who died last year aged 54 after being in a coma for 14 years following a road accident while travelling to Royal Protection duties at Balmoral.

Representing England: Samantha Dixon and Parker Cameron James Dixon, wife and son of PC James Dixon (39) of Thames Valley Police, who died last year when his police motorcycle was involved in a road accident.

Samantha later said: "I think it’s a really important thing to do to remember all police officers who have fallen over the years.

“They go to work to protect the public and they don’t ever come home, and it’s us that are left behind. 

"It’s a really lovely day and to know that they’re never going to be forgotten and they’ll always be remembered by their immediate family but also by their police family.”

Mark Lindsay, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, read the names of the officers who have died in the last year:  

PC Steven Richard Jenkins, Gwent Police.

PC John Alcock of Grampian Police.

PC Constable James Dixon of Thames Valley Police.

PC David Fields of South Yorkshire Police.

There was silence at the end of the service as green, blue and red petals of remembrance fell from the gallery before the Last Post was sounded.

Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland George Hamilton said: “The National Police Memorial Day is a fitting tribute to police officers everywhere who have died in the course of their duties to protect the public.

“It is important and indeed only right that we take time to pause to remember our colleagues and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives on duty protecting their communities.

“It is a privilege for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to have been able to welcome so many visitors to Belfast for this year's National Police Memorial Day."

John Apter, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:  “National Police Memorial Day is an incredibly important day in the policing calendar, it’s a day where we come together to remember those of our colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

“I hope today brought some comfort to those families who have lost loved ones, it important that they know they will never be alone, we are a policing family and their loves ones will never be forgotten.”