The sister of a brave Nottinghamshire Police officer who died in the line of duty said she had mixed emotions after receiving the new Elizabeth Emblem from His Majesty The King.

Sisters Elaine Dean and Carol Bullock spoke to King Charles about their brother, PC Christopher McDonald, during a reception in the Crimson Room at Windsor Castle.

The families of Chris, and of PC Ged Walker, were among the first 38 to be presented with the Elizabeth Emblem.

Chris was 19 when he was killed on 17 May 1978, after coming across a break-in at a jewellers’ shop in Worksop and bravely confronting a gang of offenders before chasing them. He died from serious head injuries.

Dog handler PC Ged Walker was fatally injured as he tried to stop a stolen taxi. He died two days following the incident on 9 January 2003.

King Charles presented the Elizabeth Emblem to Elaine Dean and Carol Bullock, sisters of PC Christopher McDonald.

Elaine said: “The King spoke to us, and said he was disappointed that it had taken years of campaigning to get the Elizabeth Emblem through.

“He wished it had been done earlier than that, and he wanted to personally present the first batch.

“He asked us about Christopher, how he died, and if the person had been caught. He said that the police get too much criticism and they do a great job.

Mixed emotions

“And then he wished us a happy Christmas.

"He was really normal and easy to talk to.

“It was all mixed emotions. It was exciting to go and see the King but not a nice reason for being able to do that.”

Among the first recipients were the families of Greater Manchester PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were ambushed and killed as they responded to a hoax 999 call.

In 2021 Nicola’s father, Bryn Hughes, joined with the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) to launch the ‘Medals For Heroes’ campaign calling for formal state recognition for emergency service workers who lose their lives while protecting others.

Elizabeth Emblem

It was announced in March that the King and the Government would introduce this with the Elizabeth Emblem, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

The emblem features a Tudor crown and a rosemary wreath. The inscription reads ‘For A Life Given In Service’ and the recipient's name is engraved on the back.

Bryn said: “It was a very proud, poignant moment. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, it will over the coming days. A long but emotional day but worthwhile.

“I think for the first batch of recipients, it was lovely for us all to be together and for the King to present them to us.”