Thousands of police officers honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.
Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.
Members of the police family gathered in Belfast on 27 September, to honour around the more than 4,500 officers who have lost their lives on duty.
1,500 people were in attendance.
The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, of Cleveland Police, PC Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, PC Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, PC Mark Chester, of The Ministry of Defence Police, PC Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, PC Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, and PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police.
Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “National Police Memorial Day is always that sombre reminder of how dangerous the role of a police officer is. And it’s a very proud day and it’s something that we need to continue to do, year on year, to stand here with family members of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in losing their life in protecting the communities that they served.
“Policing is a very challenging occupation and the dangers out there are getting increasingly worse and worse.”
Paul Bone, father of PC Fiona Bone, said: “It’s a wonderful occasion, the National Police Memorial Day. You’ve got senior police officers, families, all come to the same place to celebrate the loss of their loved ones, and for the senior officers to mark the loss of a member of the service that they belong to. And it’s wonderful that it’s supported by King Charles, and it’s a lovely place to be. Very emotional.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did the Lady Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle. And Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jackie Gorman, mother of Constable Kevin Gorman, who died 23rd November 2008, alongside three colleagues, while responding to a call for assistance when their police vehicle lost control and struck a wall.
Lighting the candle for Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Constabulary, who died on 27th September 1989. Adrian was killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.
Lighting the candle for Scotland was Christine Fulton MBE, wife of PC Lewis Fulton, of Strathclyde Police, who died on 17 June 1994, when he was stabbed during a violent struggle as he took action to protect members of the public.
Lighting the candle for England was Chris Prior, husband of PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police, who died on 11 January 2025, when she was struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.
At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.