Commemorating National Police Memorial Day

On Sunday, the 21^st annual National Police Memorial Day service was held at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow where guests commemorated the lives and honoured the sacrifices of all police officers who have died in the line of duty across the UK.

Among those in attendance were families, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones in the line of duty as well as senior officials including The Rt Hon Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP.

The National Police Memorial Day was first held in 2004 and is supported by royalty, government and UK police services. It provides a dignified and sensitive service of remembrance to honour the courage and sacrifice of the almost 5,000 police officers who have been killed on duty in the past 180 years.

As per tradition the service rotates around the four nations of the United Kingdom and is held on the closest Sunday to September 29, which is St Michael’s Day – the Patron Saint of Police.

Relatives lit candles to commemorate police lives lost in each of the four nations of the UK.

Lighting the candle for Wales - Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones, 34 years, North Wales Police, died 13^th July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course

Lighting the candle for Scotland - Margaret Collins, mother and Helen Cruddis, sister of Police Constable Anthony (Tony) Collins, 43 years, Police Service of Scotland, died 29^th November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Lighting the candle for England - Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, died 25^th September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland - Jill Davidson, wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45 years, Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, died 2^nd June 1994 when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

Representing North Wales Police, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “National Police Memorial Day provides a chance for reflection and remembrance of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It was an honour to represent North Wales Police at such an important and poignant occasion. It is only 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.”

North Wales Police Federation Branch Secretary and Treasurer, Lewis Davies said: “National Police Memorial Day is such an important date in the policing calendar. We will not forget the price paid by so many police officers who have given their lives while serving their communities for our freedom, safety and liberty.

“When we come together for this key event, the members of the policing family show that fallen colleagues, and the families they left behind, are not and never will be forgotten.”

More information is available at www.policememorial.org.

Above: Rob Jones and Chris Milne-Jones (brother and sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones who died on July 13th 1999 as a result of a road traffic incident while on a training course) and Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman.