Remembering fallen colleagues

28 September 2022

Sergeant Lowri Davies lights a candle of remembrance for fallen officers from Wales during the service.

Police buildings and Government offices across Wales were lit up in blue on Sunday to mark this year’s National Police Memorial Day.

As a mark of respect a number of force HQs were illuminated and the Welsh Government followed suit with the Cathays Park 1 building in Cardiff.

Police Federation Welsh lead Nicky Ryan was the driving force behind the initiative.

She said:  “I wrote to the Welsh Government asking if it would light up the Senedd. Unfortunately, it was unable to illuminate the Senedd building blue, but happily agreed to light up the Cathays Park 1 Building which is the Welsh Government building in the centre of Cardiff.

“I had a drive around on Sunday and I was so pleased to see it!”

The headquarters of South Wales, Gwent and Dyfed Powys Police were also illuminated in blue as a mark of respect to fallen colleagues.

Nicky said the National Police Memorial Day service provided the perfect opportunity for the police service and politicians to pay their respects to officers who have lost their lives protecting the public.

She said: “National Police Memorial Day is one of the most important dates in the policing calendar.

“It’s vital that the police services pauses to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities and to support their families, friends and colleagues.”

The Federation’s Welsh region was represented at the service by Leigh Godfrey who joined families, friends and colleagues of fallen officers, as well as police chiefs and politicians in the congregation of almost 2,000 people at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

While Leigh, a regional Federation rep, represented Wales and the South Wales branch at the service, Mick Antoniw, the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution in the Welsh Government, also attended.

Next year’s service is due to be held at St David’s Hall in Cardiff on 24 September.

Nicky said: “We’re already looking forward to hosting next year’s event in Cardiff. A lot of hard work goes into planning the day and that hard work starts right away.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering. Society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Representing Wales was Sergeant Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terence John Davies of Gwent Police. He was aged 34 when he was hit by a stolen vehicle which failed to stop as he cycled home after a tour of duty at Maindee on August 23, 1990.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year – PC Daniel Golding, Metropolitan Police, PC Craig Higgins, Greater Manchester Police, PC Alex Prentice, Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

He said: “National Police Memorial Day is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best in policing not only in Northern Ireland but throughout the United Kingdom.

“Daily we see officers stepping up to the mark to safeguard communities and, sadly, on occasion, some officers are injured or lose their lives in the execution of their duties. This weekend, we say to assembled families that the police ‘family’ recognises, appreciates, and empathises with what you are experiencing and will never forget the sacrifices your loved ones made.”

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the orchestra played Abide with me and the Last Post was sounded.

Canon David Wilbraham MBE, national police chaplain and co-ordinator of National Police Memorial Day, said: “This is the first time the National Police Memorial Day family has been able to gather in remembrance since the pandemic. Today we held those lost in honour - their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”