Service Gathers To Remember Fallen Colleagues

29 September 2025

The family of PC Royston Jerred were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem at the 22nd annual National Police Memorial Day service.

Members of the police family gathered in Coventry on Sunday 28 September, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

PC Jerred died in April 1973 when he was struck by a car while on a police motorcycle training course. His family were one of six who received the emblem at Sunday's service.

Also during the service, the names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out. They are PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce and PC Frank Hawkins, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Marcus Bennett, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police.

Also remembered was PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died from injuries sustained on duty on Friday (26 September).

Raffaele Cioffi, Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said: “National Police Memorial Day reminds us of the selfless commitment of officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. We honour their memory and extend our deepest respect to their families, friends, and colleagues.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and PFEW Chair Tiff Lynch.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for England was Kelly Swindells and her daughter Mabel, in memory of Kelly's father DC Michael Swindells QGM, of West Midlands Police. DC Swindells was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing. Mabel was born on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Peter Olphert, in memory of his father Constable John Robinson Olphert, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Constable Olphert was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Linsey Dempsey, in memory of her father PC Stuart Simpson, of Strathclyde Police. PC Simpson died when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

And lighting the candle for Wales was Lowri MacArthur, in memory of her father PC Terry Davies, of Gwent Police. PC Davies was killed after being struck by a stolen car that failed to stop as he cycled home from duty.

The families of six officers who have died in the line of duty were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem during the service. They are the families of PC Royston Jerred, of Sussex Police; Sgt Noel Lane and PC Mark Peers, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Andrew Le Comte, of West Midlands Police; PC Ian Rodgers, of Greater Manchester Police; and PC Dennis Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police.

At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.