‘A hugely moving service’: National Police Memorial Day honours fallen officers

9 October 2024

Fallen officers were remembered at the Scottish city’s Royal Concert Hall, with Sam present alongside branch secretary Charlotte Pateman and Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley.

A congregation of more than 1,000 observed a moving service to police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, with over 40 standard bearers carrying the flags of various forces in a parade from George Square to the concert hall beforehand.

Sam said: “There’s a reason National Police Memorial Day is such an important event every year in policing – it is the perfect opportunity to honour our colleagues who we miss dearly.

Branch secretary Charlotte Pateman and chair Sam Dobbs.

“The welcome from Police Scotland and Glaswegians was immense. One thousand members of the police family coming together with a solemn, common purpose, created a rollercoaster of pride and lumps in throats as the true cost of losing police officers in service was again brought into sharp focus - from those who died in the past year, to those who died many years ago.

“The pain of both was evident but it must’ve been of such comfort to be wrapped in the big blue hug of this amazing event. Representing our Federation, I was very touched by what I saw. It served as a reminder to me that policing is one big family and when we lose someone, it hurts everyone.

“The people that were once standing by our side in this profession must never be forgotten, and days like this give you that faith that they never will be.”

Respects

Sam heaped praise on Canon David Wilbraham and his team, for ‘once again producing a service which was beautifully, demonstrably and authentically inclusive without being gimmicky.’

He added: “Lord Lyon’s address reminded us that to live on in the hearts of those left behind is not to die. With that in mind, as always, I expect some of the content to appear in Force remembrance events.

“Aside the respect for bereaved families, NPMD is always a spiritual recharge of the batteries, and Glasgow was no exception. Next year’s event in England (Coventry) has high expectations to live up to. And I’ve no doubt it will, as it has recently, since Lincoln, in Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow.”

Paying respects on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) at this year’s service was acting national chair Tiff Lynch at the event, which is held annually by the Police Remembrance Trust.

Also in attendance were Secretaries of State – Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson and Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs.

Relatives

Each year, relatives representing Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, each light a candle to commemorate police lives lost in each of the four nations.

This year, lighting the candle for Scotland was Margaret Collins, mother and Helen Cruddis, sister of Police Constable Anthony (Tony) Collins, 43 years, Police Service of Scotland, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Representing England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre. Luke is serving police officer in Australia.

For Northern Ireland, Jill Davidson, the wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45 years, of Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, who died on 2 June 1994 when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

For Wales, Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones, 34 years, North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course.

The names of officers who have passed away in the last 12 months were then read out, with tributes displayed on a screen.

This year’s Roll of Honour included:

Sergeant Paul Frear, West Midlands Police

Sergeant Graham Saville, Nottinghamshire Police

Police Constable Jack Cummings, West Yorkshire Police

Sergeant Reece Buckenham, Hertfordshire Constabulary

Federation chair Sam says he was thinking of fallen members of the Northamptonshire Police family in these moments.

“What we would really like now is for our county’s late officers – we believe there are four eligible – to receive an Elizabeth Emblem for their services after the Federation’s successful campaign,” he added.

“It’s added another level of meaning and respect to existing movements like the Memorial Day.

“We hope to support these officers’ families and loved ones with the application process for the Emblem.”

Federation members who were unable to attend NPMD can access highlights of the service from the Police Remembrance Trust website in due course.

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