Sergeant remembered at this year’s National Police Memorial Day

30 September 2024

Nottinghamshire’s Sergeant Graham Saville was among the fallen officers to be honoured at this year’s National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) service, held on Sunday in Glasgow.

Graham was a response officer based at Newark Police Station who sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a train as he attempted to save a distressed man at Balderton on 24 August last year.

He was one of four officers who have died in the last 12 months and were mentioned during this year’s NPMD service – the others being Sergeant Paul Frear of West Midlands Police, PC Jack Cummings (West Yorkshire) and Sergeant Reece Buckenham (Hertfordshire).

The 2024 event, which is now in its 21st year, commenced with a processional march through the streets of Glasgow, including flag bearers from forces from across England and Wales, and accompanied by music from the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation Secretary Tom Hill.

Attending the service at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall was Nottinghamshire Police Federation Secretary Tom Hill, Chief Constable Kate Meynell, and other senior officials from throughout the UK, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Tom commented: “It was a great honour for me to be present at the service in Glasgow and pay respects on behalf of my colleagues in Nottinghamshire. This is such an important event because it ensures the sacrifices of officers, like our very own Graham, must never - and are never - forgotten.

“As ever, it was a day full of mixed emotions - great sadness but also great pride. The very best of policing was on display on Sunday and it was also great to see such a big congregation from all parts of the UK and the warm welcome from the people of Glasgow who lined the streets.”

Fallen officers

The loved ones of two fallen Nottinghamshire Police Officers also attended this year’s event.

Tracy Walker, the widow of Ged Walker, who died in 2003 after being dragged 100 yards by a stolen taxi, said: “The National Police Memorial Day acts as a reminder to the relatives of fallen officers that the police family will always remember them. And that means a lot to us all. 

“I don't think people realise just how special and poignant the service is, until they have attended themselves.”

Joan Huffton, mum to PC Christoper McDonald, the first Nottinghamshire officer to die in the line of duty, added: “The day always means so much to us. It's comforting to know that still, all these years later, our loved ones are remembered. I've been coming every year, but the emotions are always the same.”

Secretary of Nottinghamshire Police Federation Tom Hill, Elaine Dean
and Joan Huffton, sister and mother of Christopher McDonald, along with
Tracy Walker, widow of Ged Walker.

The Reverend Matt Hopley, the National Police Chaplain, opened the service, and Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, welcomed the congregation, saying it was a “huge privilege” for Scotland to be hosting the event.

The Home Secretary read from John 15: 12-17, from the Bible, and said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs read a powerful poem titled ‘Grief Told Me Its Name’.

Candles were lit to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom and to remember more than 5,000 officers who have died on duty in the past 180 years.

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 a serving police officer in Australia.

Crashed

Lighting the candle for Wales was Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones of North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident, aged 34.

For Scotland, it was Margaret Collins and Helen Cruddis, mother and sister respectively of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

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

The congregation stood during The Last Post, while silence was kept as green and blue petals fell in remembrance of lives lost. There is an online tribute wall that loved ones can post on. This can be accessed here and will remain active for 30 days following this year’s memorial weekend.

Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on 28 September at Coventry Cathedral.

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