Andy Boardman honoured at annual COPS service
31 July 2023
West Mercia PC Andy Boardman was among the fallen officers remembered at this year Care of Police Survivors Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.
Andy (43) died on duty on 11 April this year after collapsing when responding to an incident alongside West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics.
His widow, Luci, who is also a West Mercia Police officer, was at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) service along with Andy’s colleague and good friend Rob Seewoosaha, a West Mercia Police Federation workplace representative.
Chief Constable Pippa Mills represented the Force at the service and was among those to welcome a group of cyclists from the Force who took part in the Police Unity Tour, a sponsored cycle ride undertaken by hundreds of officers from forces across England and Wales.
During the ride, which covered a 200-mile route from the Force to the arboretum, the cyclists, who set off on Friday, wore a wristband dedicated to a fallen officer and a black armband in memory of Andy.
The West Mercia contingent also remembered Specials Chief Inspector Chris Smith who died last Sunday (23 July).
The families of fallen officers were joined by officers of all ranks at the service, with this year being the 20th annual event.
The service included a roll of honour for all officers, including Andy, who have died since last year’s COPS remembrance service:
PC Daniel Golding of the Metropolitan Police who died on 18 August 2022;
PCSO Daniel Gower of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police who died on 23 November;
PS Steven Creal of Sussex Police who died on 21 December;
PC Richard Kemp of Lancashire Constabulary who died on 27 December;
PC Bruce Lister of Hertfordshire Police who died on 30 January;
PC Neil Pattinson of Northumbria Police who died on 27 February, and
Inspector Gareth Earp of Dyfed Powys Police who died on 29 June.
PUT rider arrive at the National Memorial Arboretum ahead of the COPS service
The remembrance service was opened by Christine Fulton, co-founder of COPS and the charity’s life vice-president.
She talked about the dark days that followed the death of her husband of two years in Glasgow in 1994. PC Lewis Fulton was just 28 when he was stabbed to death as he sought to detain a knifeman who had already injured a police sergeant.
But her life changed when retired police officer Jim McNulty encouraged her to attend a COPS service in America.
Thinking it would be an ‘interesting holiday’, she was unprepared for the impact the trip to the States would have on her and recalled that it was the first time she had found herself in a room full of people who understood how she felt which lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.
Realising how valuable that support would have been if she had received it at the start of her grieving process, Christine wrote to all chief constables when she returned to the UK seeking support for the launch of a similar organisation but was largely told that it was a ‘dreadful idea’ and that families did not want to remember their loss, but wanted to forget.
Undeterred, Christine forged ahead, telling the service that she expected 34 survivors to attend the first event, but 64 turned up.
Peer support, she explained, was at the heart of the charity, adding that 300 family members were at this year’s service.
The family weekend could be life-changing and life affirming, said Christine.
“It proves you can move forward but you don’t leave your officer behind,” she added, “They are always with you. They are part of you, and always will be.”
Caroline Cox, younger sister of Inspector Mark Estall of Essex Police who died on 5 January 2017 talked about the positive impact COPS had on her life, describing it as ‘an incredible charity’.
She began by thanking all the PUT riders.
“You will never know how much it means to us,” said Caroline on behalf of fallen officers’ families, “To us, it means everything.”
In a similar vein, Katy McMurray, daughter of PC Alan McMurray of Lothian and Borders Police who died on 4 February 2006, when she was just two, talked about how the charity had helped her.
Katy recalled how meeting other children who had lost a police officer parent through COPS had helped her process her emotions and access support when she needed it.
The service also included music from the West Midlands Police Band, songs from vocalist Diane Whylie and an address from Gill Marshall, the COPS national president.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Office of the Lieutenancy, the High Sheriff’s Office, the Home Office, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire & Rescue Services, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Blue Light, the Police Unity Tour, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.
As Sir Peter Fahy, chair of the COPS trustees, prepared to close the service, the National Police Air Service helicopter flew over and performed a ‘bow’ to the congregation.
Families and other guests then made their way to The Beat – the avenue of trees dedicated to each force and to some individual officers – to lay red roses and wreaths.
