The sister of a Suffolk Police officer who was killed in the line of duty 20 years ago has paid tribute to her sibling.

Sue Brace MBE said this year’s anniversary of the death of PC Cheryl Lloyd was particularly difficult.

“This year has been the worst anniversary of Cheryl’s death,” said Sue.

“I think because it's 20 years and the realisation she's been gone that long.

“I think it’s not having her in our lives for 20 years and all the things she has missed out on with us all.

“20 years is a long time, but it just seems like yesterday.”

Cheryl, who was 42, was killed when the patrol car she was driving collided with a stationary lorry as she attended an urgent call on 18 June 2005.

She had joined Suffolk Constabulary in March 2000 after having previously served as a Special Constable. She was stationed in Ipswich where she drove the urban response vehicle.

A tutor constable, she had performed duties as an acting sergeant and was due to receive a Chief Constable’s Commendation after helping rescue a man from a river in August 2004.

Memory

Sue said that Cheryl loved being a police officer.

“A few weeks before she died, she came home and she was covered in scratches,” Sue recalled.

“I said 'what have you done?'

“She said she was chasing a criminal and he went through the brambles, but 'I wasn’t letting him go - I got him'.

“I asked what makes you do it? 'It's because he's done wrong and it’s my job,' she said.”

Cheryl’s memory lives on through the Force’s Cheryl Lloyd Award for excellence in staff training and development.

Sue said: “Each year I’m honoured to be part of the Awards Panel. We go through all the nominations and select the winner for each award. It’s a tough job as you read through all the nominations, they all deserve to win. 

“And I am so proud to be able to give Cheryl’s Award in person to the winner at the awards ceremony. Not only does it keep Cheryl’s memory alive, but that she was part of the police family.”

Memorial

Sue will be accompanying Suffolk Police Federation at this year's National Police Memorial Day at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday 28 September.

Sue, who is a former president of the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity, will also be attending the COPS Survivors weekend (1-3 August) to watch the Police Unity Tour (PUT) ride into Drayton Manor theme park on the Saturday.

Civilian Martin Presland has ridden the PUT in memory of Cheryl seven times before, and will be doing so again this year.

Sue said: “Cheryl was the last Suffolk officer to die whilst doing her duty and Martin rides the 200 mile-route for her.

“We'll be there at Drayton Manor to shout him in and give him a big hug. I’m looking forward to it.”

She added: “COPS is a fantastic charity.

“You create lifelong friends through COPS.

“We have got a group where we look after each other.

“We say, if they hadn't died we would never have met each other but now we’re part of this police family that’s come together.”

The Police Unity Tour: Ride 2026

The Police Unity Tour consists of police officers from across the UK, as well as civilians, survivors and police officers from America.

It raised money for COPS, and honours the lives of police officers who have died on duty.

They raise funds for the charity Care of Police Survivors. Each cyclist has the opportunity to wear a bangle with the officer’s name on who they ride for and the date they died. This bangle is then given to the families at Drayton Manor on the Saturday or to their Force to pass on to the families who didn’t attend the weekend.

The ride finishes on the Sunday, for the COPS Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

If you would like to take part in 2026 or for more information, please visit: https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/