Memorial day service: a fitting tribute to fallen officers
3 April 2024
The National Police Memorial Day service is a fitting tribute to fallen officers, according to West Mercia Police Federation chair Steve Butler.
Steve was speaking as booking opens for this year’s memorial day service which will be held in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 29 September.
“I believe that the National Police Memorial Day is one of the most important dates in the policing year,” says Steve, “It is held in honour of our fallen colleagues and gives police officers of all ranks to stand alongside the families of our fallen colleagues and show them that their loved ones are not forgotten.
“Each and every day police officers put their lives on the line, running towards danger while others run away. They sign up to the police service to fight crime, keep order and protect the vulnerable and sadly some pay the ultimate price while carrying out their duties.
“The memorial day service is a fitting tribute to fallen officers and its importance cannot be overstated.”
The service rotates round each of the four countries in the United Kingdom and is held on the closest Sunday to 29 September which is St Michael's Day. St Michael is the patron saint of policing.
National Police Memorial Day was founded by Inspector Joe Holness QPM OBE following the brutal killing of his fellow Kent Police officer Jon Odell in Margate in December 2000. The first memorial day service being held in St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Sunday 3 October 2004.
Joe has now retired but the annual memorial day service continues.
