MPs back campaign for Elizabeth Medal

16 January 2023

Tiff Lynch, deputy chair of the national Federation, with campaigner Bryn Hughes.

The campaign for a posthumous medal for police officers and other emergency service workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty has received cross-party support from a number of MPs.

The creation of an Elizabeth Medal, which would be awarded to the families of fallen officers, was the subject of a Westminster Hall debate secured by Liberal Democrat MP and former police officer Wendy Chamberlain.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation chair Simon Riley welcomed the latest positive step.

He said: “We have always backed this campaign and are pleased to see this issue is now being discussed in Parliament.

“It is only right that the sacrifices made by our fallen colleagues are formally recognised and honoured.” 

Fallen Nottinghamshire PC Ged Walker, who was killed on duty 20 years ago, was remembered during the Westminster Hall debate.

PC Walker, a dog handler, was dragged 100 yards and fatally injured by a stolen taxi as he reached into the vehicle in an attempt to remove the keys from the ignition on 7 January 2003. He died in hospital two days later from serious head injuries. He was survived by his widow and two children.

Darren Henry, Conservative MP for Broxtowe, told MPs: “PC Walker is a shining example of why an award, such as a medal, should exist. 

“He and all other police officers put their lives on the line every day they go to work. Officers who have lost their lives protecting their communities must be recognised in such tragic circumstances.”

Ms Chamberlain, who served for 12 years with Lothian and Borders Police, told MPs: “We have long-standing awards for gallantry, sacrifice and service, for those who have given to our country in all sorts of different ways. It is right that such service deserves recognition, and the recipients and their families are rightly proud.

“But sadly, there are those who have equally served their country and have made sacrifices who are not being recognised as they should.

“No reward or recognition can replace the loss of a loved one, but if we can go someway to make them feel like that loss has been recognised, it is very important.”

The Medals for Heroes campaign was officially launched by the Police Federation, the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Prison Officers’ Association last April.

Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes and her Greater Manchester Police colleague PC Fiona Bone were murdered 10 years ago, has actively supported the campaign.