Police Family Honours Fallen Colleagues

27 September 2023

Police Family Honours Fallen Colleagues

Representatives from Leicestershire Police Federation have paid tribute to the thousands of officers who have lost their lives in duty, at the 20th annual National Police Memorial Day in Cardiff.

Secretary Jon Carter-Lang, who attended the ceremony on Sunday (24 September) said: “It is really important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of our fallen colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“This is a unique opportunity for everyone to get together and remember those fallen colleagues. Whilst there’s other events, such as the Unity Tour, that are more informal but still poignant, this is the more traditional event and it is an honour to attend.”

More than 5,000 officers have lost their lives on duty and the names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out at the service. They were PCSO Daniel Gower, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary; Sgt Steven Creal, of Sussex Police; PC Richard Kemp, of Lancashire Constabulary; PC Bruce Lister, of Hertfordshire Constabulary; PC Neil Pattinson, of Northumbria Police; PC Andrew Boardman, of West Mercia Police; Insp Gareth Earp, of Dyfed-Powys Police; and Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Police, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 as a result of a road traffic collision.

Representing Scotland was David Taylor, son of PC George Taylor, of Strathclyde Police, who died aged 27 on 30 November 1976 after being attacked with an axe.

Representing England was Sid Mackay, father of PC Nina Mackay, of the Metropolitan Police, who died aged 25 on 24 October 1997 having been stabbed by a wanted man. She was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s High Commendation for Bravery.

Representing Northern Ireland were Mervyn and Dorothy Reynolds, parents of Constable Philippa Reynolds, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who died aged 27 on 9 February 2013 after the police vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a stolen vehicle.

The service also heard a reading from First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

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