A touching tribute to sergeant at the National Police Memorial Day
30 September 2024
Rich Cooke, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, was among those who remembered fallen officers at this year’s National Police Memorial Day (NPMD).
Rich, who was joined by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, stood side-by-side with hundreds of others, including fellow Federation representatives, Force colleagues, religious leaders, politicians and families, at the event on Sunday (29 September).
The service, which this year was held at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, was extra poignant for the West Midlands team as Sergeant Paul Frear was remembered.
Paul died in September last year at the age of 45, having been involved in a road accident on his way to work.
Branch chair Rich Cooke at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.
Speaking about the day, Rich said: “The National Police Memorial Day is always special and full of mixed emotions. This year was especially touching for the West Midlands family as we remembered one of our own. Paul was not only a colleague of mine but a good friend too - and the service gave us all the opportunity to honour him.
“Life is undoubtedly busy, and we don’t always get the chance to stop and remember those who are no longer with us. The National Police Memorial Day enables that, and this year was no different. It gives us time to reflect and honour the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It also demonstrates to the families of our fallen colleagues that their loved ones will never be forgotten.”
Honoured
The event, which was the 21st of its kind, honoured the lives of more than 5,000 officers who have died whilst on duty in the past 180 years.
Representing the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) was acting national chair Tiff Lynch.
She was joined by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson and Angela Constance, the Cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs.
The service opened with a processional march, which included flag bearers from a number of forces from across England and Wales. This was followed by music from the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band. Songs were sung the Scottish Police Community Choir throughout the service.
The Reverend Matt Hopley, who formerly volunteered at West Midlands Police and is now National Police Chaplain, opened the service.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, then welcomed the congregation, saying it was a ‘huge privilege’ for Scotland to be hosting such an event.
Branch chair Rich Cooke (right) with West Midlands Police
Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
A reading was then shared by Khaldoun Kabbani, vice-president of the National Association of Muslim Police and the secretary general of the Scottish Police Muslim Association.
Ms Cooper and Ms Constance also gave a reading. In a snippet from John 15: 12-17, from the Bible, Ms Cooper said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Ms Constance read a powerful poem titled ‘Grief Told Me Its Name’, which begins: “I sat with my grief and it told me its name; It said, “I am love, just turned into pain”’. The verse ended with: “Grief then said, “They are still with you, although their body you can’t see; their love never left you. Please believe me.”’
Commemorate
Each year, relatives representing Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, light a candle to commemorate police lives lost in each of the four nations.
This year, lighting the candle for Scotland was Margaret Collins, mother, and Helen Cruddis, sister, of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, 43 years, Police Service of Scotland, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.
Representing England was Luke Ratana, son of Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre. Luke is a serving police officer in Australia.
For Northern Ireland, Jill Davidson, the wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45 years, of Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, who died on 2 June 1994 when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.
For Wales, Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister, of PC Ralph Jones, 34 years, North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course.
The names of officers who have died in the last 12 months were then read, with a tribute shown on the screen at the front.
This year’s Roll of Honour included:
Sergeant Paul Frear, West Midlands Police
Sergeant Graham Saville, Nottinghamshire Police
PC Jack Cummings, West Yorkshire Police
Sergeant Reece Buckenham, Hertfordshire Constabulary
The congregation stood during The Last Post, while silence was kept as green and blue petals fell in remembrance of lives lost.
Recessional music was played by the Police Scotland and Scottish Police Federation Pipe Band to mark the end of the service.
Ahead of the service, a parade - led by the pipe band - made its way to the Royal Concert Hall from Glasgow’s George Square before a Scottish flypast took place.
There is an online tribute wall on which loved ones can post. This will remain active for 30 days following this year’s memorial weekend.
Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on 28 September at Coventry Cathedral.
READ MORE: Learn more about the PTC.
