Hertfordshire officers represent UK at US police memorial week

National Police Week is an opportunity for law enforcement, survivors and citizens to honour and remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Special Constable Declan Rouse and PC Gareth Rees attended the event, which is held every May in line with National Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is observed on May 15.

Special Constable Rouse, whose day job is a fraud manager for a technology company, has volunteered with the constabulary for 18 years. This was his third year attending the US event.

He said: “It’s always a humbling experience attending the memorial week and I’m honoured to have had the privilege to support the loved ones of officers who have given their lives in the service of others.

“The first two days were spent at Reagan Airport carrying out honour guards and collecting families (referred to as survivors) of fallen officers and escorting them to their coaches which took them to survivor hotels. During these duties at the airport, you get to share stories and memories of fallen officers with the families.

“I also got to represent UK policing at the national K-9 Memorial Service, which included a wreath-laying ceremony to honour the memory of fallen police dogs who had given their lives in the line of duty. This was a gut-wrenching service.”

A few weeks prior to the memorial week, a wife of a fallen officer from the Tulsa Police Department contacted Special Constable Rouse and said her son would love to trade a patch with him from the UK.

He said: “Of course I agreed, but I knew I could do better than just a patch for him. I reached out to various coin and patch collector groups and explained that I’d like to create a package for an eight-year-old boy who had lost his dad. Officers from all over the UK sent me coins, patches, pins and keyrings for him. It was so uplifting to have received this much support from others across the country.

“At the National Peace Officers Memorial, I met with the young boy and his mother where his father is memorialised on the wall. There, I handed him this package and the look on his face made the whole trip worthwhile.

“I had dinner with the family later that evening and they were extremely grateful. His mother said she’d not seen her son smile like that in a long time. I’ve now made a lifelong connection with the family and will keep in contact with them.”

Special Constable Rouse also had the privilege of being part of an honour guard for the US President.

He said: “During the week, the President makes a speech, addressing all the officers and their families, around 50,000 of us, who have descended on the capital.

“Prior to the speech, officers from the UK were asked to carry out an honour guard for him. We all said yes. I couldn’t believe it; I was within metres of the President of the United States of America. This was a real highlight and something I will never forget.”

PC Rees said: “For me, this week is very personal as I almost became a name on a wall following an incident whilst on duty.

“I’ve been attending the event in the US since 2016 and couldn’t imagine not being involved. The week is hard both physically and emotionally as you are interacting with families whose worlds have suddenly and shockingly been torn apart over the loss of a loved one ‘just doing their job’.

“It’s so important that those sacrifices are never forgotten and that the families of fallen officers both in the US and over here know that policing is a family and that the legacy of their loved ones will always be remembered.”

The week-long memorial allowed officers from the UK to also reflect and remember those who had given their lives in the line of duty back home.

Special Constable Rouse said: “Although this event took place thousands of miles across the pond, there is one thing police forces across the world have in common and that is the sense of loss when a colleague dies and wanting to honour them in the best possible way.

“On September 29, 2024, the UK will observe its own national Police Memorial Day, which will be held in Glasgow. I’m fortunate to be able to attend this event with other officers from across the country and represent Hertfordshire Constabulary. A number of US law enforcement agencies will also reciprocate and attend our service to honour our fallen.

“It’s truly amazing how policing can bring people together from all over the world and support one another during the most difficult of times.”