Fallen officers honoured at National Police Memorial Day

Secretaries of State and police chiefs joined a congregation of almost 2,000 at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Sunday (September 25) and stood to remember officers who gave their lives in service – many in horrific circumstances.

Family members attended the service, which poignantly honoured fallen officers’ commitment, courage, and sacrifice.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering – society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Simon Byrne said it was “a huge privilege for Belfast to host this year’s National Police Memorial Day and to welcome many visitors to our city”.

He added: “Today’s event was a humbling and moving experience in what has been an extraordinary few weeks following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“It was an honour to have the opportunity to meet with many families from Northern Ireland and across the UK and to remember their loved ones who have paid the ultimate price in service of their communities.

“It is right and fitting that we take a moment each year to reflect and remember the loss of those who went before us and others who continue to put the safety of others above their own.

“Their sacrifice, commitment and dedication to their duty must never be forgotten.”

Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Northern Ireland Secretary, said: “The Government owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland for their tireless work to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe.

“It was an honour and a privilege to attend today’s annual National Police Memorial Day service, hosted in Belfast, and to join relatives and colleagues of fallen officers, along with UK Government colleagues.

“It is right and proper that we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their duty of protecting the wider community.

“We thank them and service personnel from across the UK for their service and dedication.”

During the service, prayers were said by family members and colleagues, including:

Stephen Bromilow, father of 23-year-old Police Constable John Bromilow of Lancashire Constabulary who died on August 18, 1979, in a road traffic collision while escorting a prisoner;

Karen Dodd, daughter-in-law, and Jemima Dodd, granddaughter, of Inspector Stephen Dodd, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), who was fatally injured on December 17, 1983, when police received reports of a bomb inside a car parked outside Harrods. As officers began to investigate reports of the device it exploded. Insp Dodd died a few days later from his injuries;

Paul Slaine QPM, Royal Ulster Constabulary officer, who was the driver of an armoured police car attacked by terrorists using an improvised horizontal mortar on March 27, 1992. The observer in the vehicle, Constable Colleen McMurray, died in the early hours of March 28. Mr Slaine spent almost eight months in hospital. On April 12, 2000, he was chosen to accept the George Cross from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and

Richard Haigh, son of Police Constable David Ian Haigh, North Yorkshire Police, who died June 17, 1982, found fatally wounded by colleagues who had become concerned when he didn’t answer his radio. He was shot in the head at Norwood Edge Plantation near Harrogate.

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the UK.

Representing Northern Ireland was Stephen Wylie-Young, son of 25-year-old Constable William Wylie QPM, Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross. Mr Wylie-Young was six months old when his father was murdered. Constable Wylie was shot dead, and his colleague fatally wounded when they were ambushed by terrorists as they checked a suspicious car in County Antrim.

Representing Wales was Sergeant Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terence Davies, 34, Gwent Police, who died of injuries received while he was cycling home after a tour of duty at Maindee, when he was hit by a stolen vehicle which failed to stop

Representing Scotland was George Barnsley, friend and colleague of Detective Sergeant William Hunt, 56, of Strathclyde Police who died on June 5, 1983. While attempting to arrest a man for serious assault, De Sgt Hunt was fatally stabbed when members of the suspect’s family attacked him and other officers.

And representing England was Kat Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, 47, who died on January 26, 2020, having sustained fatal injuries when the police vehicle he was driving was in a single vehicle collision on the M6.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year – PC Daniel Golding, MPS; PC Craig Higgins, Greater Manchester Police; PC Alex Prentice, Northamptonshire Police; and PC Darryl Street, Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Mr Kelly said: “We are delighted to welcome National Police Memorial Day back to Belfast. The event is an opportunity to honour those officers who died in service and, from our perspective, to remember our colleagues who paid the ultimate price so that today we can benefit from the peace, however imperfect, that has transformed Northern Ireland society.

“National Police Memorial Day is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best in policing not only in Northern Ireland but throughout the United Kingdom.

“Day and daily, we see officers stepping up to the mark to safeguard communities and, sadly, on occasion, some officers are injured or lose their lives in the execution of their duties.

“This weekend, we say to assembled families that the police ‘family’ recognises, appreciates, and empathises with what you are experiencing and will never forget the sacrifices your loved ones made.”

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the orchestra played ‘Abide with me’ and the Last Post was sounded.

Canon David Wilbraham MBE, National Police Chaplain and coordinator of National Police Memorial Day, said: “This is the first time the National Police Memorial Day family has been able to gather in remembrance since the pandemic. Today we held those lost in honour – their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”