NPMD 2026: Remembering fallen colleagues

28 September 2026

Fallen officers were remembered and honoured at this year’s National Police Memorial Day held yesterday at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Among those gathered with their families was Jess Davies, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, who was joined by Assistant Chief Constable Paul Drover representing the Force.

“It was an honour to attend the memorial day service and to represent the Federation branch and its members,” says Jess, “I think National Police Memorial Day is one of the most important dates in the policing calendar. It is incredibly important that we honour our fallen colleagues and recognise their sacrifice. But, for me, it is just as important that we stand with the loved ones they left behind and show them that they are never forgotten.”

DC Mick Swindells

During the service, the family of West Midlands DC Michael (Mick) Swindells were presented with the Elizabeth Emblem, an award given to the next of kin of police officers and other public servants who died in the course of their duties.

The award was presented to Mick’s brother, Dave, by the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle.

The names of officers who had lost their lives in the 12 months since the last memorial day service were read out in an act of remembrance led by Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland:

PC Matthew Blades, 37, Cleveland Police

PC Tom Clough, 38, Cleveland Police

PC Alice Slominska, 19, Bedfordshire Police

PC Jess Turnbull, 19, Northumbria Police

PC Mark Chester, 35, Ministry of Defence Police

PC Mathew Parker, 43, Essex Police

PC Bradley Corke, 27, Kent Police

PC Faizaan Najeeb, 24, Northamptonshire Police.

The Last Post was then sounded and there were two minutes of silence before petals of remembrance fell from the gallery and onto the congregation.

Prayers

The service began with a processional march by the Pipes and Drums of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, an introduction and welcome from the Reverend Matthew Hopley, the national police chaplain and bidding and opening prayers.

Dame Fionnuala also welcomed the congregation with a loyal greeting while the Home Secretary gave a reading from Psalm 139 before the Reverend David Wilbraham, chair of the Police Remembrance Trust and the former co-ordinator of National Police Memorial Day, addressed those present.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland Ladies’ Choir performed a choral item, Always There by Brian Kennedy, while police hats representing the service from each of the four nations of the UK were taken to the front of the hall and laid beside candles which would later be lit in honour of fallen officers during the act of remembrance.

A candle remembering all those from the police forces of Northern Ireland who had lost their lives was lit by Jackie Gorman, remembering her son, PC Kevin Gorman from the Police Service of Northern Ireland who died, aged 24, on 23 November 2008 alongside three colleagues while responding to a call for assistance when their police vehicle went out of control and struck a wall.

Dorothy Ellis lit the candle for officers from Wales. Dorothy’s son, Gwent PC Adrian Ellis, died on 27 September 1989, aged 29, after a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.

A candle honouring fallen officers from Scotland was lit by Christine Fulton in remembrance of her husband, PC Lewis Fulton of Strathclyde Police, who died on 17 June 1994. Lewis, who was 28, was stabbed during a violent struggle as he took action to protect members of the public.

Chris Prior lit the candle for officers from England. His wife, North Yorkshire PC Rosie Prior, was 45 when she died on 11 January 2025 after being struck by a lorry while helping at the scene of an accident.

Before the National Anthem, the concluding words and act of commitment to end the service came from the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Jon Boutcher.