The names of the eight police officers who have died since last year’s event were read out in the roll of honour at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas yesterday.
Staffordshire Police Federation secretary Chris Rodger represented the branch at the event and paid tribute to the Force Cadets and Specials who were out in force to support the organisers.
“This is the 20th annual service organised by the COPS charity and once again it ran very smoothly, due in part to the help of our Cadets and Specials; they really were a credit to Staffordshire Police.
“The service, as you would expect, is at times moving and serves as a reminder of the sacrifice paid by those who turn up for duty but do not return home from their shift.
“It is really important that we honour their memory but also that we show their families that, as a police service, we do not forget our fallen officers or the loved ones they leave behind.
“I am also humbled by the support COPS gives to families. It reaches out to families after the death of an officer and, through exceptional peer support, aims to help them adjust and rebuild their life.”
The roll of honour included the following officers who have died since last year’s COPS service:
PC Daniel Golding of the Metropolitan Police who died on 18 August 2022
PCSO Daniel Gower of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary who died on 23 November
PS Steven Creal of Sussex Police who died on 21 December
PC Richard Kemp of Lancashire Constabulary who died on 27 December
PC Bruce Lister of Hertfordshire Police who died on 30 January 2023;
PC Neil Pattinson of Northumbria Police who died on 27 February;
PC Andy Boardman of West Mercia Police who died on 11 April, and
Inspector Gareth Earp of Dyfed Powys Police who died on 29 June.
Ahead of the service, those attending the service welcomed the arrival of the Blue Knights, the world’s largest law enforcement motorcycle club and supporter of COPS from the time of the charity’s launch.
Minutes later, cyclists from the Police Unity Tour (PUT), made up of chapters from forces across England and Wales, made their way into the arboretum to applause from the crowd.
The cyclists set off from their home force areas on Friday with a team from Staffordshire following a 200-mile route to Drayton Manor near Tamworth on the Saturday to be greeted by the families of fallen officers.
They then made their way to the arboretum on Sunday morning for the last leg of their journey.
The remembrance service was opened by Christine Fulton, co-founder of COPS and the charity’s life vice-president.She talked about the dark days that followed the death of her husband of two years in Glasgow in 1994.
PC Lewis Fulton was just 28 when he was stabbed to death as he sought to detain a knifeman who had already injured a police sergeant.
But her life changed when retired police officer Jim McNulty encouraged her to attend a COPS service in America.
Thinking it would be an ‘interesting holiday’, she was unprepared for the impact the trip to the States would have on her and recalled that it was the first time she had found herself in a room full of people who understood how she felt which lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.
Realising how valuable that support would have been if she had received it at the start of her grieving process, Christine wrote to all chief constables when she returned to the UK seeking support for the launch of a similar organisation but was largely told that it was a ‘dreadful idea’ and that families did not want to remember their loss, but wanted to forget.
Undeterred, Christine forged ahead, telling the service that she expected 34 survivors to attend the first event, but 64 turned up.
Peer support, she explained, was at the heart of the charity, adding that 300 family members were at this year’s service.
The family weekend could be life-changing and life-affirming, said Christine.
“It proves you can move forward but you don’t leave your officer behind,” she added, “They are always with you. They are part of you, and always will be.”
Caroline Cox, younger sister of Inspector Mark Estall of Essex Police who died on 5 January 2017, talked about the positive impact COPS had on her life, describing it as ‘an incredible charity’.
She began by thanking all the PUT riders.
“You will never know how much it means to us,” said Caroline on behalf of fallen officers’ families, “To us, it means everything.”
In a similar vein, Katy McMurray, daughter of PC Alan McMurray of Lothian and Borders Police who died on 4 February 2006, when she was just two, talked about how the charity had helped her.
Katy recalled how meeting other children who had lost a police officer parent through COPS had helped her process her emotions and access support when she needed it.
The service also included music from the West Midlands Police Band, songs from vocalist Diane Whylie and an address from Gill Marshall, the COPS national president.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Office of the Lieutenancy, the High Sheriff’s Office, the Home Office, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire & Rescue Services, the National Police Chiefs Council, Blue Light, the Police Unity Tour, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.
As Sir Peter Fahy, chair of the COPS trustees, prepared to close the service, the National Police Air Service helicopter flew over and performed a ‘bow’ to the congregation.
Families and other guests then made their way to The Beat – the avenue of trees dedicated to each force and to some individual officers – to lay red roses and wreaths.
