Officers praised for cycling for COPS

6 August 2024

Nineteen officers from the county took part in the 200-mile bike ride in late July to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The riders had six support staff involved as well, including van drivers, motorcycle outriders and a marked car escort.

And they joined cyclists from forces across England and Wales, each setting off from their home force areas on Friday and taking a route to reach the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire on Sunday morning.

The aim of the event is to raise funds and awareness for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity that provides care and support for the bereaved families of police officers who have passed away.

Sam said: “The Police Unity Tour is a fantastic event that brings together officers from across the country to show our love and support for the loved ones of fallen colleagues.

“Policing is a unique job, and every day our members put their own safety on the line to serve and protect their communities.

“Sometimes the unthinkable happens, and events like this show they and their families will never be forgotten.

“I know that many of the riders who took part in this year’s event carried with them memories of colleagues who have died. I’m sure, for those, their achievement would have been extra poignant, as they rode with those individuals in both their minds and hearts.

Proud

“Our members here in Northamptonshire and across the country should be extremely proud of their efforts in supporting the families of the fallen, raising funds and awareness for COPS. Their endeavour means so much to so many people.”

All those riding in the tour met at Drayton Manor on Saturday evening before riding in unison into the arboretum on Sunday morning where they were met with applause from the crowd gathered to welcome them.

They were led by the Blue Knights – the world’s largest law enforcement motorcycle club - for the last leg of their journey.

The cyclists then joined the families of fallen officers, chief officers, Federation officials, representatives of other policing organisations and civic dignitaries at the annual Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Service of Remembrance.

Gill Marshall, COPS president, opened the service. A police widow herself, she recalled her daughters were just two and four when her husband, Alan, died and explained that she knew first-hand the value of COPS, which she called a fantastic charity.

Sarah Doyle, whose husband Merseyside PC Neil Doyle died 10 years ago, recalled how the couple had only been married a short time when he died after being assaulted while off duty. She said she immediately knew life would never be the same again, admitting that part of her heart had died with Neil.

While it had taken her a few years to get involved with COPS, she spoke movingly of how the friendship of other police widows had helped her and urged police survivors to seek the charity’s support.

Shattered lives

“You will never look back. They help you to rebuild your shattered life,” she said.

Friday would have been the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary and Sarah had decided to mark the poignant date by joining the PUT.

Charlotte Kellaway, daughter of DI Ian Kellaway who died of Covid in April 2020 having contracted the virus while on duty, shared her story of grieving for her father and also praised the way in which COPS had helped.

After Charlotte’s reading, Gill Marshall read the roll of honour featuring the names of officers who had died since last year’s COPS service. They were:

* Sergeant Graham Saville of Nottinghamshire Police who died on 29 August 2023

* Sergeant Paul Frear of West Midlands Police who died on 22 September 2023

* PC Jack Cummings of West Yorkshire Police who died on 19 May 2024, and

* Acting Sergeant Reece Buckenham of Hertfordshire Constabulary who died on 29 June 2024.

* The roll of honour also included British Transport Police Property Officer Mark Birch who died on 12 October 2020.

A minute’s silence followed and then wreaths were laid by for the Office of the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, the High Sheriff’s Office, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the College of Policing, the Blue Knights, the Police Unity Tour, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.

The final reading was by Greg Briggs, brother of Merseyside PC Paul Briggs, who died in 2017.

Dedication

He talked about his brother’s life of service, first to the Army and then to policing and welcomed the unwavering dedication of COPS to look after police survivors, saying he would be forever grateful to the charity.

Sir Peter Fahy, chair of COPS, closed the service, acknowledging that every year police officers will lose their lives on duty.

“COPS is there to support their families, not just in the immediate aftermath but in the years and years ahead,” said Sir Peter.

The service included music from the West Midlands Police Brass Band and, for the first time, vocal performances by Superintendent Sam Batey, a band member.

After the service, families and other guests made their way to The Beat, an avenue of trees dedicated to individual forces and officers to lay wreaths and single red roses.