Fallen police officers have been remembered in a moving National Police Memorial Day service at Lincoln Cathedral.
Home Secretary Priti Patel, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and Police Federation national chair John Apter were among those to address bereaved families, friends and colleagues at the service on Sunday.
Staffordshire Police Federation chair Phil Jones attended the service with Assistant Chief Constable Simon Tweats.
Phil said: “The National Police Memorial Day services is always an incredibly moving experience when we pay tribute to the courage and dedication of members who have lost their lives.
“The extraordinary work our members do each day has been made even more challenging by the pandemic and the service gave us the opportunity to reflect on this while remembering and paying tribute to the colleagues who are no longer with us.
“It is also serves to reassure the families, friends and colleagues of officers who are killed in the line of duty that they will never be forgotten and will always have the support of the wider policing family.”
The congregation heard Dame Cressida praise the courage and dedication of police officers as they tackled the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and paid tribute to those who had lost their lives over the past 12 months.
She said: “This year, we sadly add six more families to those we want to protect and support. The families of Paul Keany, Chris Miller, Matt Ratana, Darryl Street, Thomas White and Quamar Zaman.
“We will never forget you nor will we ever forget the sacrifice your loved ones made.
“Their lives give us hope, motivation and inspiration that through our police work good can prevail, safety and peace can be secured.
“Each and every one of our fallen colleagues will have helped and protected so many people, brought comfort, justice, safety, hope, reassurance and courage to others. We are proud of them.”
John read out the names of the officers who died in the last 12 months and said: “Let us remember before God the men and women of the police service who gave their lives in the exercise of their duty.”
Addressing bereaved families in the congregation, Chris Haward, Chief Constable of Lincolnshire, said: “I hope today is of some comfort and that you can feel the support and compassion from all those around you because it is here in abundance
“National Police Memorial Day holds a place in all our hearts. We remember those we have lost but we should also celebrate their accomplishments, achievements and contributions together with those who continue to hold the thin blue line.
“Serving as a police officer is not an easy duty. Day in, day out, our officers give their everything to protect and serve others. They guide people when they are at their worst, they comfort people on their darkest of days.
“It is a path that many could not, nor would not, want to walk and we are proud of those who have dedicated their lives to policing. To those who have lost lives in the line of duty, their legacy will live on and they will always remain part of the police family.”
Ms Patel gave a short Bible reading from Corinthians 13 on the subject of love.
The service was led by Reverend Canon David Wilbraham, national police chaplain and coordinator of the memorial day, who said: “On this National Police Memorial Day, we give thanks for the bravery, courage and sacrifice of officers who since British policing began, have died on duty.”
Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis was among the dignitaries who spoke during the service and praised the police for keeping the nation safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “The pandemic has cast so many fears not experienced before by any of us, that doubts for our safety and care were being greatly challenged no matter our circumstances.
“But the huge degree of comfort that the nation is protected by the most professional police force anywhere in the world gives us all the belief and faith to discover our inner strengths.”
During the service, representatives of fallen officers lit candles in an act of remembrance with one each for the forces of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
While there was a minute’s silence, petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, fell from the gallery as the orchestra played “Abide With Me” and “The Last Post” was sounded.
The service was followed by an online commemoration for those unable to attend in person. As a show of support, public buildings around the UK were illuminated blue to mark the occasion, including numerous police headquarters buildings.
National Police Memorial Day was founded in 2004 by now retired Sergeant Joe Holness to commemorate the memory of colleagues lost in the line of duty. Sergeant Holness was motivated by the death of his colleague, fellow Kent officer PC Jon Odell, who was killed in December 2000 after a vehicle was driven at him.
Next year’s service will be held in Belfast on Sunday 25 September 2022.
