Fallen colleagues remembered at annual National Police Memorial Day

29 September 2026

Thousands of people came together on Sunday (27 September) to remember fallen officers at this year’s National Police Memorial Day.

The 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day service was held at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, bringing together Federation representatives, Chief Constables, religious leaders, politicians and families.

Among those was Suffolk Police Federation full-time representative Emma Arhurs-Newman and fellow Federation representative Claire Yates.

For Emma, the day was an important opportunity to recognise the sacrifices officers make when they come to work, while remembering those who never returned home.

“Today’s a really significant event,” Emma said.

“It’s to celebrate the sacrifices that officers make as a result of coming onto duty. Sadly, there’ll be people here today who’ve lost loved ones who have come to work and not gone home again.

“And I think it’s really important that we have days like this to remember.”

Police Family

Emma said the service also demonstrated to bereaved families that the police family remains there for them long after the death of a loved one.

“It’s so important for the families to know that their police family is still here once that loved one does die,” she continued. 

“They don’t just get forgotten about.”

She said the relationships formed between bereaved families and the wider policing community showed that the support available extends beyond individual forces.

“We shared a lift this morning with family members who were here from another Force,” Emma added.

“I feel like the engagement we’ve had with that family this morning is some comfort that there’s a wider police family, and it’s bigger than just your local Force."

 

Full-time representative Emma Arhurs-Newman and fellow Federation
representative Claire Yates

 

This year’s service was particularly poignant, with eight officers who had died on duty during the previous 12 months remembered during the commemorations.

They were:

• Police Constable Matthew Blades, Cleveland Police, aged 37
• Police Constable Tom Clough, Cleveland Police, aged 38
• Police Constable Alice Slominska, Bedfordshire Police, aged 19
• Police Constable Jess Turnbull, Northumbria Police, aged 19
• Police Constable Mark Chester, Ministry of Defence Police, aged 35
• Police Constable Mathew Parker, Essex Police, aged 43
• Police Constable Bradley Corke, Kent Police, aged 27
• Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb, Northamptonshire Police, aged 24

The service opened with a processional march featuring flag bearers from forces across England and Wales, followed by music from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

National Police Chaplain the Reverend Matt Hopley opened the service before Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, welcomed the congregation.

Candles

Readings were delivered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Lady Ruth Hamilton, Patron of the RUC GC Widows’ Association.

Music was provided by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Male Voice Choir and Police Service of Northern Ireland Ladies Choir.

Police hats representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were carried to the front of the hall and laid beside candles, before relatives representing each nation lit a candle.

The Northern Ireland candle was lit by Jackie Gorman, mother of Police Constable Kevin Declan Gorman, who died aged 24 on 23 November 2008 alongside three colleagues while responding to a call for assistance.

The Welsh candle was lit by Dorothy Ellis, mother of Police Constable Adrian Bryn Ellis, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 after being killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.

The Scottish candle was lit by Christine Fulton MBE, wife of Police Constable Lewis George Fulton, who died aged 28 on 17 June 1994 after being stabbed during a violent struggle while protecting members of the public.

The English candle was lit by Chris Prior, husband of Police Constable Rosie Prior, who died aged 45 on 11 January 2025 after being struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.

The congregation stood for The Last Post as petals fell in remembrance of lives lost.

Ceremony

The lights were then dimmed, with members of the congregation holding flameless candles as a spotlight illuminated the Book of Remembrance, which contains the names of all officers who have died on duty. A lone piper was also illuminated as part of the ceremony.

Eight red flameless candles were placed on the altar table in tribute to the officers who had died during the previous 12 months.

The service concluded with the Act of Commitment, led by Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher QPM, followed by the Benediction and National Anthem.

Emma said this year’s service carried particular significance given the number of officers who have died in circumstances that have received widespread public attention.

“This year was even more poignant for the police family,” she said, adding: “We’ve lost a number of officers this year as a result of some significant instances that hit the media.”

The next National Police Memorial Day will be held in Wales on Sunday 26 September 2027, with the venue to be confirmed.

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