Thousands of police officers honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.

29 September 2026

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.

Members of the police family gathered in Belfast on 27 September, to honour around the more than 4,500 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

1,500 people were in attendance.

The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, of Cleveland Police, PC Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, PC Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, PC Mark Chester, of The Ministry of Defence Police, PC Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, PC Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, and PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police.

Andy Spence, Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: “National Police Memorial Day is important because sadly every year we see the number of police officers who have died in the line of duty or who’ve died whilst in service increase and just this month we have seen one of our colleagues who has passed away as well.

“It’s really important that we come here as a police family to remember them not only from our force but nationally as well. Year on year it’s important that we as the police family embrace the families of those you have entrusted their loved ones to us to look after them.”

Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: "Today is my first time at a National Police Memorial Day service. It's always going to feel significant and important, but this year more than ever means so much.

“Today at the forefront of my mind will be PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough - and their families.

"We should never, ever forget the sacrifice that police officers make every single day.

"National Police Memorial Day reminds us about how important the police family is. The families of officers that have lost their lives will remain part of our police family forever.

"It's so important to remember every day, every year, to mark their service, what they gave in their service. And to remember their families, that have lost somebody that they love."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did the Lady Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle.

And Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jackie Gorman, mother of Constable Kevin Gorman, who died 23rd November 2008, alongside three colleagues, while responding to a call for assistance when their police vehicle lost control and struck a wall.

Lighting the candle for Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Constabulary, who died on 27th September 1989. Adrian was killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Christine Fulton MBE, wife of PC Lewis Fulton, of Strathclyde Police, who died on 17 June 1994, when he was stabbed during a violent struggle as he took action to protect members of the public.

Lighting the candle for England was Chris Prior, husband of PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police, who died on 11 January 2025, when she was struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.

Towards the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.