Momentum builds for Elizabeth Medal for fallen officers

27 September 2022

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have put their name to a letter calling on the Government to establish an Elizabeth Medal for fallen police officers.

Military personnel already receive the Elizabeth Cross if they are killed in the line of duty and a similar honour should apply to police officers, it is being argued.

Suffolk Police Federation secretary Ben Hudson said: “I am delighted that this campaign to honour police officers who make the ultimate sacrifice is gaining momentum – the Federation and Superintendents’ Association have already got behind the idea, and the backing of PCCs is another significant step forward.”

He added added: “Our late Queen, Elizabeth II, exemplified public service for 70 years and it would be a fitting legacy to have a medal named for her which can be posthumously awarded to police officers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.”

The campaign was started by Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were tragically murdered by a gunman in Great Manchester a decade ago. 

Bryn is a former prison officer who campaigned to establish the dedicated UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. He also runs the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund to help children whose parents have been murdered.

Speaking about the Elizabeth Medal campaign, he said: “For the likes of me and other family members, it would be a nice feeling to attend certain remembrance services wearing that medal in their memory and their honour.”