More than 1,000 people remember fallen loved ones at Service of Remembrance

More than 1,000 people attended a special service held in memory of all police officers and staff who have died on duty in the UK.

Surviving families of fallen officers, police staff and senior police officers, together with the public, attended COPS annual Service of Remembrance.

The event took place at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire on Sunday, August 1.

For the first time the service was streamed live, hosted by former BBC presenter Martine Dennis, so family members who couldn’t be at the event could watch remotely on the COPS website.

The service brings together survivors and the wider police family to provide a valuable opportunity for people to reflect and remember their loved ones, friends, and colleagues.

A Roll of Honour was read out by COPS national president Gill Marshall paying tribute to the 27 police officers who died on duty during the past two years since COPS’ last physical Service of Remembrance.

Gill said: “Sunday’s service opened with the spectacular arrival of the Blue Knights and the Police Unity Tour, set against the backdrop of the beautiful surroundings of the NMA and The Beat.

“The readings from fellow survivors moved many to tears and truly underlined just how special our charity is. As the sun made a welcome appearance the sight of hundreds of survivors, supporters, chief officers and guests gathered together in remembrance of all our fallen loved ones was indeed one to behold.”

Family members who lost loved also spoke to share memories of their officers.

Survivors Ali Gibb and wife Sandi spoke passionately about their son Daniel and talked about how they have been supported by COPS.

Ali said: “The service is always an emotional occasion for us and, of course, exceptionally emotional this year as we spoke about our beloved Daniel.

“We met up with other parents, one couple attending for the first time and have exchanged numbers. We hope to be able to be of some little help to them in some way, in the near future.”

Other readings were done by Samantha Dixon, whose husband PC James Dixon of the Thames Valley Police died in 2017, who spoke about coming together for friends and family that have been lost.

She also read out a heartfelt poem, that moved many to tears.

Survivor Shonagh Gawthorne also spoke, describing COPS as ‘a wonderful gift’.

Before the service, officers and survivors taking part in the Police Unity Tour (PUT), comprising hundreds of riders and support teams cycling the length of the UK, rode into the Arboretum.

Each cyclist was riding in memory of an officer who died on duty, as well as raising funds for the charity.

The UK conference of the Blue Knights, an international motorcycle club for active and retired police officers and law-enforcement agencies, also rode to the event to pay tribute to fallen officers.

COPS Chief Executive, Tim Buckley, said: “The service is the conclusion of the charity’s annual Survivor Weekend, a two-day event bringing together the families of officers who have died on duty.

“It is a chance for us to get as many survivors together as possible to support one another in rebuilding their lives. Being able to witness first-hand the power of peer support is undeniably powerful, as the weekend unfolds you see many new friendships being made and old ones reignited.”

He added: “The weekend has been a phenomenal success, every year I am completely blown away.

“We are entirely grateful to all our supporters across the wider police family and beyond, and all our fundraisers who make this possible.”