Chair attends National Police Memorial Day service

27 September 2021

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris attended yesterday’s National Police Memorial Day alongside dignitaries, family members and public figures who gathered to honour police officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

He was joined at the service, which was held at Lincoln Cathedral, by Emma and Amy Hawkes, daughters of Sergeant John Hawkes who died in service in 2018 after a battle with bowel cancer. Emma is now a Suffolk PC and has John’s collar number – 241 – while Amy is a Suffolk police staff member.

Darren said: “It was an honour to be able to attend the service in person after last year’s virtual event. National Police Memorial Day is an important moment for us to come together and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice our fallen colleagues have made. We owe them so much, and I am glad I was able to attend and honour them in person this year, as well as physically represent the Suffolk policing family.”

The service was led by the Reverend Canon David Wilbraham, national police chaplain and coordinator of the National Police Memorial Day.

Home Secretary Priti Patel gave a reading from 1 Corinthians 13 on the theme of love and Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, gave the address.

Fallen officers remembered this year included:

• PS Paul Keany, Northamptonshire Police
• PC Christopher Miller, Metropolitan Police
• PC Matiu Ratana, Metropolitan Police
• DC Quamar Zaman, Greater Manchester Police
• PC Thomas White, Police Scotland
• PC Darryl Street, Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, addressed the congregation of around 300 people.

He said: “National Police Memorial Day is an incredibly important day in the policing calendar. It’s a day to remember those colleagues we have lost and to ensure they are never forgotten.

“Policing is a family, and when we lose a member of our family the pain is felt far and wide. The National Memorial Day is a time to reflect, pay tribute and remember. It is so important, especially to the families, friends and colleagues of those we have lost, that their loved ones will never be forgotten.”

During the service, representatives of fallen officers lit candles in an act of remembrance with one each for the forces of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

While there was a minute’s silence, petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, fell from the gallery as the orchestra played “Abide With Me” and “The Last Post” was sounded.

The service was followed by an online commemoration for those unable to attend in person. As a show of support, public buildings around the UK were illuminated blue to mark the occasion, including numerous police HQ buildings.

National Police Memorial Day was founded in 2004 by now retired Sergeant Joe Holness to commemorate the memory of colleagues lost in the line of duty. Sergeant Holness was motivated by the death of his colleague, fellow Kent officer PC Jon Odell, who was killed in December 2000 after a vehicle was driven at him.