Memorial Service honours officers who have died in the line of duty

Police officers from across the country took part in a procession through Coventry to mark the event ahead of the memorial service at Coventry Cathedral.

West Midlands Police’s Honour Guard led marching contingents through the city, including standard bearers carrying the flags for each police force from across the UK.

The annual service ensures that the sacrifice paid by fallen officers is never forgotten, recognising the dedication to duty and courage displayed by police officers across the land.

The memorial service was especially poignant given the tragic loss of a Northamptonshire Police officer who died on Friday after being critically injured in a road traffic collision while on duty.

Since 2004, the National Police Memorial Day service has been held in different UK cities every year to remember those who have served as police officers throughout history.

Next year it will be hosted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher represented the PSNI at this year’s service and said: “It is incredibly important that we continually think about those police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to formally demonstrate to their families, friends and colleagues that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

“The National Police Memorial Day is an important opportunity for us all, as the wider UK police family, to come together to remember our fallen colleagues.

“Every day police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and on occasions that courage and dedication costs them their lives. We honour those who have died in the line of duty, the public owe them a huge debt of gratitude”.

“Next year the PSNI will have the privilege of hosting National Police Memorial Day, and we will do so with the utmost respect and gratitude for all who have served and sacrificed.”

Marking the day, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) chair Emily Spurrell said: “Today is an opportunity for us to remember and pay tribute to all those police officers who have died or been killed keeping others safe. On behalf of the APCC and all its members, I’d like to thank them for their duty which will not be forgotten, and to recognise the bravery and courage of all those who serve in policing.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones.”

West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, who represented the APCC at the Memorial Day service at Coventry Cathedral, said: “National Police Memorial Day is a powerful reminder each year of the risks we ask police officers to take every day on our behalf.

“It is an honour to represent the APCC and all police and crime commissioners as those from across policing gather to recognise and remember the sacrifice of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. That sacrifice is not forgotten, and I extend my deepest sympathies to their families, friends and colleagues.”