Charity cyclist in appeal to contact fallen officer’s family

24 July 2025

A retired police officer who is taking part in an annual charity bike ride in support of the families of fallen officers is hoping to get in touch with the family of a West Midlands PC who died more than 20 years ago.

Mike Jones was serving as a sergeant with Northamptonshire Police when he retired five years ago but is joining this year’s Police Unity Tour to raise awareness of the sacrifice of officers who die on duty and also fund-raise for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), the charity dedicated to supporting the loved ones left behind.

Each cyclist taking part in the tour wears a wristband engraved with the name of fallen officer throughout a two-day journey to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire and, where possible, presents this to their family members at the end of the ride.

Connection

Mike’s wristband is dedicated to PC Paul Owen, 47, who died on 20 October 2004 after being hit by a bus as he crossed a road in Dudley in an accident the previous day. He was on duty attending a local authority community safety meeting.

Mike said: “I would love to hear from anyone who knew Paul. Knowing that I am riding for him makes a personal connection, and I would genuinely like to know more of him as a person.

“I am proud to be riding for him, and hope that it reassures his family, friends and colleagues that his name will not be forgotten by the police family.

“It would be a great honour to be able to present the wristband to a member of his family when we complete the tour.”

Although Mike is a keen cyclist, this is the first time he has signed up for the Police Unity Tour, which is undertaken by police officers, police staff and other supporters from forces across England and Wales each year.

Service

Members of each chapter of the tour set off from their home force on Friday 1 August, making their way to Drayton Manor in Staffordshire on the Saturday evening before riding in convoy into the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August when COPS will hold its annual service of remembrance.

He is one of 30 riders in the Northamptonshire Police team which will head off from their Force Headquarters at 7am on the Friday.

Mike explains: “I drove the support vehicle a couple of years back, and attended the service at the National Arboretum the year before when I collected our riders in the minibus.

“It’s a very emotional service, and we have lost some dearly beloved colleagues in the last few years who were taken far too young. This makes the event even more poignant - and will provide the incentive to keep going if the ride gets tough.

“I cannot wait to cycle into arboretum with cyclists from police forces from all over the country. The atmosphere is amazing, with families, supporters and colleagues waiting to cheer on the cyclists.

“My colleague and friend - Chris Asante-Ampaduh - is doing the ride again this year and asked me if I'd like to ride - I said I'd think about it. But when he said there's only one space left, I quickly said I would do it! I'm very glad I agreed and am very much looking forward to seeing everyone and riding with them over the weekend.”

Spinathon

Mike, who served in the Met for five years and 12 as an officer with Northants before adding four years as Special and two as a civilian trainer, teaches spin classes which has helped keep him fit but has also been trying to complete as many cycle rides as he can ahead of the tour.

Last week he completed a 15.02 hour spinathon to raise funds for the Police Unity Tour.

“I did this for one of my friends and colleagues - PC 1502 Jack Watts - who died two months ago from a brain tumour. He was 33 and he leaves his wife Charlotte and their 15-month-old son, Hudson,” Mike said.

“The 15.02 hour challenge came to me at 3am and once I'd had the thought, I decided I'd have to do it. I had no idea if I could cycle for that long. I started at midnight on Wednesday 16 July, and finished at 15:02 on Thursday 17 July.

“All the donations raised from this endeavour went straight into my PUT justgiving page.”

You can support Mike’s fund-raising through his JustGiving page. 

• Paul Owen’s family or friends can contact Mike by emailing the Federation office.

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