National Police Memorial Day

National Police Memorial Day reminds the police family and wider public what it is to be a police officer, the Scottish Police Federation has said.

 

Chair, David Threadgold joined officers and families of those who have died at the service in Cardiff on 24 September, to honour more than 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty. 

 

Speaking before the ceremony, David said: “I’m here today to represent the Scottish Police Federation at the National Police Memorial Day. It is a truly great honour for me and my colleagues who have come down from Scotland for this event. 

 

“The significance is to remember those who have given their lives for the service, to pay our respects to them and their families. And also to remember what it is to be a police officer, as we continue in these very troubled times. 

 

“It’s important to remember our fallen colleagues because these people have gone to work, they have made the ultimate sacrifice, they haven’t come home to their families, and we must remember that, and we do it very, very well.”

 

The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out. They are PCSO Daniel Gower, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary; Sgt Steven Creal, of Sussex Police; PC Richard Kemp, of Lancashire Constabulary; PC Bruce Lister, of Hertfordshire Constabulary; PC Neil Pattinson, of Northumbria Police; PC Andrew Boardman, of West Mercia Police; Insp Gareth Earp, of Dyfed-Powys Police; and Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police.

 

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Representing Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Police, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 as a result of a road traffic collision.

 

Representing Scotland was David Taylor, son of PC George Taylor, of Strathclyde Police, who died aged 27 on 30 November 1976 after being attacked with an axe.

 

Representing England was Sid Mackay, father of PC Nina Mackay, of the Metropolitan Police, who died aged 25 on 24 October 1997 having been stabbed by a wanted man. She was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s High Commendation for Bravery.

 

Representing Northern Ireland were Mervyn and Dorothy Reynolds, parents of Constable Philippa Reynolds, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who died aged 27 on 9 February 2013 after the police vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by a stolen vehicle.

 

The service also heard a reading First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. 

 

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.