NPMD is one of the most important dates on the policing calendar
30 September 2025
Tom accompanied the family members of Sergeant Graham Saville, PC Christopher McDonald, and PC Ged Walker for a moving and poignant service, held at Coventry Cathedral.
The day brought together serving and retired officers of all ranks, families and loved ones of fallen officers, and senior politicians, civic leaders, and faith leaders from across the UK in a powerful act of remembrance.
Tom said: “It was a really moving and thought-provoking service.
“It’s important that we come together for a time of remembrance to honour the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Nottinghamshire Police Federation secretary Tom Hill (left) with
the families of Sergeant Graham Saville, PC Christopher McDonald,
and PC Ged Walker outside Coventry Cathedral
“We’ve had the privilege of being with the families of three Nottinghamshire Police colleagues at the service.
“They want to come together to be part of the wider policing family.
“This day is one of the most important in the policing calendar.
“It’s always a really moving occasion, and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices their loved ones have made.
“There’s a real sense of the policing family uniting from across the UK, and with the lovely weather and setting, it has been a truly special occasion.”
Chief Constable Steve Cooper was also with the families, and reflected on the significance of the day.
Sacrifice
“This is definitely one of the most important days in the policing calendar,” he said. “The ultimate sacrifice made by the three officers is why we are here, to remember them, to support their families and loved ones, and to make sure neither they nor the sacrifices they made are ever forgotten.”
During the service, Tiff Lynch, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) read out the names of seven officers who had lost their lives during the past year:
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.
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.
Prayer
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:
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.
Off duty
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.
Service
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: 'Cooper's visit made us feel like we were being heard'.
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