The names of the first group of recipients who will posthumously receive the Elizabeth Emblem have been announced by the committee which oversees applications.

The list includes firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in the direct execution of their duties. Included in the first publicly named group are PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

Both Fiona and Nicola were ambushed and killed as they responded to a hoax 999 call, one that they thought was an emergency call for help from a member of the public.

In 2021 the father of Nicola, Bryn Hughes, joined with the Police Federation of England and Wales to launch the ‘Medals For Heroes’ campaign. The Federation along with Bryn and other families called for formal State recognition for emergency service workers who lose their lives while protecting others.

The high profile campaign included support from various MPs and individuals along with families of fallen officers who are publicly recognised in countries such as the USA.

Such public recognition was already in place for the armed forces in the form of the ‘Elizabeth Cross’. It is awarded quite separately from any other medal or recognition of injury or gallantry and the #MedalsForHeroes campaign called for the introduction of similar styled recognition for emergency service workers.

In March 2024 it was announced that His Majesty the King alongside his government would introduce such formal State recognition in the form of the ‘Elizabeth Emblem’.

Named in honour of the Late Queen, the Emblem is presented as a Tudor Crown flanked by a rosemary wreath. The inscription reads ‘For A Life Given In Service’ and the recipient's name is engraved on the back. Presented alongside the Emblem is a smaller ‘pin badge’ and scrolls of recognition can also be awarded where appropriate.

Speaking on the announcement of the first 38 recipients, the Acting National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales Tiff Lynch commented: “I was very pleased to hear of the first recipients for the Elizabeth Emblem. We can not take the safety, security and wellbeing of our communities for granted.

"Public service workers from all sectors work together to provide essential services. These services are vital to the wellbeing of our society. However, sometimes our public sector workers can be injured or even lose their lives while serving others."

Tiff continued: “Sadly within the policing family we see the highest numbers of injury and tragedy. Each person is a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend or colleague within the communities they serve. That is why the Elizabeth Emblem is so important. It gives us all the chance to recognise the cost that has been paid and the life that has been given. It gives the State, on our behalf, the opportunity to say ‘thank-you’."

PFEW Medals For Heroes Lead John Partington told us: “During the course of our Medals for Heroes campaign, I’ve had the honour of meeting a number of families who have lost a loved one on duty. Each of these individuals gave their very lives in service to their communities.

"We were very proud to launch the campaign for public recognition for fallen colleagues. I’d like to put on record my personal thanks to all those involved in the campaign and I pass on my heartfelt thanks and best wishes to those families who will go on to receive the Elizabeth Emblem."

In a statement released from Number 10, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said: “We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty. While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made."

On the news of the announcement, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “We will forever remember the heroism of these police officers, firefighters and public servants, whose acts of selfless courage provide an example to us all.

"Like Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, they dedicated their lives to the service of their communities, and it is fitting that we thank them and honour them with the Emblem created in her name.

"This will be a sad but proud day for all the loved ones whom these heroes left behind, and we offer our gratitude to them too for the strength and dignity that they have shown, and the immense sacrifice that their families have made. We also thank all those who have campaigned for this Emblem over many years to ensure the courage of those who keep us safe is recognised."

The families of the first recipients are due to receive the Elizabeth Emblem from His Majesty the King later this year.

To find out more about the application process for the Elizabeth Emblem visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-elizabeth-emblem-application-guidance-and-eligibility

A full list of the first 38 recipients can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-elizabeth-emblem-application-guidance-and-eligibility/list-of-recipients-of-the-elizabeth-emblem-9th-november-2024

BBC News covered the announcement on its Breakfast programme: