Fallen Colleagues Remembered at Care of Police Survivors Service

There was emotion as police officers who have died on duty were remembered by their family and friends at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Annual Service of Remembrance.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August to pay their respects to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 1,000 people attended the service in Staffordshire – where the rain thankfully held off.

Events took place all weekend for surviving family members.

GMP Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said it was important for the service to honour and respect their fallen colleagues.

He said: “Sadly, GMP has lost a number of officers over the years. This is really, really important for us because it’s primarily about the families and our supporting the families. This is just about being here, being here to show our respect, show our support.

“This is focused around survivors, families, children, relatives. They are the police family. This is why we’re here, it’s to support our family.

“We’ll never not support people, no matter how long. We’ve got a family here today whose relative passed in 1979, long time ago, but he remains important to us, as he does the family. So the support’s always going to be there.”

During the one-hour service on Sunday, survivors recalled their loss and how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Two daughters of fallen police officers and a sister of a colleague who died on duty spoke with emotion and humour recalling their loved one.

The Roll of Honour for the police officers and who have died on duty during the past 12 months was read out.

Those remembered this year were Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Police; DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; PC Michael Bruce, of the Metropolitan Police; and PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The Police Unity Tour arrived before the Service of Remembrance – more than 500 cyclists who had ridden from across the country to the Arboretum in memory of fallen officers.

The cyclists raise money for the COPS charity – and this year raised in excess of £230,000.

Also attending were the Blue Knights motorcyclists.