PC Rosie Prior remembered at her graduation and National Police Memorial Day

30 September 2025

The husband of PC Rosie Prior described a weekend of powerful emotions as he attended her university graduation and the National Police Memorial Day service.

Speaking at the memorial service at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday, Chris Prior said the scale and atmosphere of the gathering had left a lasting impression.

He said: “It’s absolutely amazing, particularly when you see the number of people and the guests who are attending.

“It’s good to be able to honour people in this way. It’s so much bigger than I expected.”

Chris was joined at the service by his sister Caroline, Rosie’s mum Diana, and her brother William.

 

 

And Chris praised the ceremony’s attention to detail and the sense of solidarity among those present.

“The ceremonial side of things is done incredibly well,” he said. “Seeing all the old police cars gives people a chance to have a look around and chat to people.

“Coventry Cathedral looks amazing, and I love how the new cathedral is next to the old one.”

The service came just two days after Rosie’s university graduation at the York Barbican.

Chris said: “That was brilliant. There were 1,000 people who all gave her a standing ovation. It’s been an emotional weekend.”

National Police Memorial Day brings together the family, friends and loved ones of officers who have died in the line of duty, as well as serving and retired officers of all ranks, politicians, civic and faith leaders, and members of the public to pay their respects.

Bereaved

North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles attended with Federation rep Anya Hanbury, and the Force was represented by Chief Constable Tim Forber.

They accompanied Rosie’s family, as well as Frances Ellerker, Claire Robinson, Richard and Rebecca Haigh, and George and Jean Thompson.

Rob spoke of the event’s importance for bereaved families and the wider policing community.

“It’s an opportunity for us in North Yorkshire Police Federation, and for the broader police family, to demonstrate to those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice, that they are part of our policing family, and we are always there for them,” he said.

“This year is particularly emotional. We’re with the family of PC Rosie Prior. It’s a chance for us to come together to commemorate and to honour.

“Coventry Cathedral is an incredible setting that reflects the importance of the event.”

Rosie, a mother of two and a serving officer with North Yorkshire Police, died after being hit by a lorry on the A19 at Bagby on 11 January.

Police minister

Her name, and those of six other officers who has lost their lives during the past year, were read out during the service by Tiff Lynch, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

Those officers are:

PC Ian Minett, 38, of Gloucestershire Constabulary

PC Michael Bruce, 48, of the Metropolitan Police

PC Frank Hawkins, 52, of the Metropolitan Police

PC Marcus Bennett, 44, of the Civic Nuclear Constabulary

PC Rosie Prior, 45, of North Yorkshire Police

DC Karen Smith, 49, of Humberside Police, and

PC Faizaan Najeeb, 24, of Northamptonshire Police, who died just two days before the service. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a Bible reading from The Beatitudes, Mathew 5: 1 – 12 while the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, read from the Colossians 3: 12 – 17. 

The service, which was also attended by police minister Sarah Jones, included an address from the Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the Bishop of Coventry.

The Dean of Coventry, The Very Reverend John Wit, and the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Rachel Lancaster, had welcomed the congregation to the service which included music from the West Midlands Police Band, The Big Sing Community Choir and the Choir of Coventry Cathedral.

Chaplain

The bidding and opening prayers were led by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE, associate chaplain of the Jewish Police Association; Imam Mohammad Asad MBE, the West Midlands Police chaplain, and Ashna Tumber, secretary of the National Sikh Police Association.

A prayer for those who mourn was read by Daniel Rodgers, son of PC Ian Rodgers of Greater Manchester Police who died on 3 April 1975, eight days after being injured when he was struck by a train as he and another colleague searched the track. Daniel emigrated to Australia in 1998 and joined his mother, Pauline, at the service to mark the 50th anniversary of Ian’s death.

A prayer for unity and hope was read by Gwent Police Federation workplace representative Inspector Jamie Jones. Jamie, who works mainly in response, delivered the prayer in memory of Gwent colleagues PC Steven Jenkins, aged 43, who died on 6 October 2017 after becoming suddenly unwell at Pillgwenily Police Station; PC Leighton Yhnell who was 51 when he died suddenly at home on 16 February 2018 and PC Rhys Kelleher, 28, who died on 21 August 2019 after a year-long battle with cancer. 

Former Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland officer Yvonne Davidson read a prayer for light in darkness while Iyona Shaar, an active member of the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, read a prayer for peace and leaders.

During an act of remembrance, symbolic candles were lit, one for each of the nations of the UK to remind everyone of the undying flame of devotion and commitment exemplified by the fallen officers honoured within the service:

Duty

Representing England, Kelly Swindells and one-year-old Mabel, the daughter and granddaughter of West Midlands DC Michael Swindells QGM who died on 21 May 2004, aged 44, when he was stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing.

Representing Northern Ireland, Peter Olphert, son of RC John Robinson Olphert RUC who died on 18 January 1983, aged 39, when he was shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Representing Wales, Lowri MacArthur, a serving Gwent officer, remembering her father PC Terry Davies who was 34 when he died on 23 August 1990 after been struck by a stolen car that failed to stop.

Representing Scotland, Linsey Dempsey, a serving Police Scotland officer, remembering her father PC Stuart Simpson of Strathclyde Police who died on 28 March 1994, aged 26, when his police car was involved in a head-on crash with a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

Towards the end of the service, the peace bell was sounded and, during a period of silence, petals of remembrance, representing fallen officers, fell from the gallery. The Last Post was then sounded and, after a short silence, Reveille.

Following a closing blessing, the service ended with the congregation, which had filled the cathedral, singing the National Anthem.

Roll of honour

During the service, Elizabeth Emblems were presented to the families of five police officers: PC Royston Jerred of Sussex Police, Sergeant Noel Lane of the Metropolitan Police, PC Mark Peers of the Metropolitan Police, PC Ian Rodgers of Greater Manchester Police and PC Dennis Smith QPM of Devon and Cornwall Police. The emblem will also be presented to the family of PC Andrew Le Comte of West Midlands Police who were unable to attend the service.

The Government announced the introduction of the Elizabeth Emblem, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, in March last year. The emblem is in recognition of those who lost their lives while undertaking eligible public service, including police officers listed on the roll of honour.

More than 5,000 police officers have died on duty in the past 180 years but the National Police Memorial Day itself was only initiated in May 2001 by now retired Kent Inspector Joe Holness OBE QPM following the death of his colleague PC Jon Odell in Margate in December the previous year.

The first National Police Memorial Day service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Sunday 3 October 2004 and since then the services, which rotate around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each year, are held on the nearest Sunday to St Michael’s Day (29 September) as St Michael is the patron saint of police officers.

National Police Memorial Day 2026 will be held at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Sunday 27 September.

READ MORE: PC Rosie Prior to be remembered at Police Memorial Day.