It is important to recognise the sacrifice of all the police officers who have died on duty, the Metropolitan Police Federation has said.
Chair Rick Prior was speaking at the 21st annual National Police Memorial Day, where members of the police family gathered in Glasgow on Sunday 29 September, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.
The names of those officers who had died in the past year were read out. They are Sgt Graham Saville, of Nottinghamshire Police; Sgt Paul Frear, of West Midlands Police; PC Jack Cummings, of West Yorkshire Police; and Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Constabulary.
A tribute was also paid to all those who lost their lives in air disasters, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre. A wreath was laid in their memory.
Rick said: “It is extremely important that every year we remember the officers that we’ve lost over the years.
“It’s very important for the fallen officers' families, friends and colleagues that we continue to recognise the sacrifice that these brave individuals have made in policing. It’s something that we should never stop doing, and never forget why we’re doing it.”
Before the service, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley spent time talking to the family members of fallen Metropolitan Police officers.
He said: “We know, day in and day out, police officers run towards danger. It really worries me what officers face today. We have 18 officers injured a day in London. A couple of officers a week seriously injured. And, tragically, every now and again, officers lose their lives. It’s absolutely critical that we remember them, their service, and their absolute commitment to the mission of keeping communities safe.
“It’s important we thank the families, and it strikes me, with this event and with our events at Hendon every year when we do the Met memorial service, for some families, coming every year is a big part of them remembering their loved one, and we have to be there for them in the same way we have to be there for the officers who are, day in and day out, putting themselves on the line.”
One of those family members attending the service was Angus Morrison, youngest brother of Jim Morrison, a Met officer who died on 13 December 1991 aged 26 after being stabbed by a handbag thief he was chasing while off duty.
Angus said: “I’ve been coming to it since it started. It’s a great way of meeting friends that we’ve met over the services, a chance to reconnect. It’s really the only time that we get to meet these people. It’s always good to remember the sacrifice that the officers that we’re remembering made.
“When it first happened, you didn’t think that people understood what you were going through. The loss and the circumstances. But having met, especially the RUC widows and widowers and families, it’s clear that there’s a lot more people that go through the same thing as we have.
“I think it’s important that the public remember the sacrifice that our family members have made, and realise just how dangerous policing is.”
During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations. Lighting the candle for Scotland were Margaret Collins and Helen Cruddis, mother and sister of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, of Police Scotland, who died on 29 November 2013 aged 43 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.
Lighting the candle for England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, of the Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 aged 54 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jill Davidson, wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who died on 2 June 1994 aged when the RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.
Lighting the candle for Wales were Rob Jones and Chris Milne-Jones, brother and sister of PC Ralph Jones, of North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 aged 34 as a result of a road traffic incident while on a training course.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who gave a reading during the service, said: “Today, we mourn and remember all the officers who have given their lives in service to the public.
“We thank them and pay tribute to their bravery, their dedication and their sacrifice. We stand with their families who continue to live with the pain of losing their loved one and the pride for their incredible work to keep us safe.
“Policing is an extraordinary job - our officers run towards danger as others retreat.
“We owe these officers a debt that can never be forgotten.”
First Minister John Swinney said: “On behalf of everyone in Scotland, I would like to take this opportunity to tell the officers and staff of Police Scotland how much we appreciate their bravery. I pledge we will not forget those who have lost their lives serving our communities."
There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.
