Campaigner Bryn Hughes.
Cambridgeshire Police Federation has congratulated Elizabeth Medal campaigner Bryn Hughes who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.
Bryn, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was murdered in 2012 alongside fellow Greater Manchester Police PC Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade ambush, is the driving force behind the campaign for a posthumous award for officers killed on duty.
The former prison officers said Nicola would be proud of his MBE which he received in recognition of his work supporting young people who have suffered loss due to violent crime.
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom said: “Bryn Hughes has fought tirelessly for the creation of an award to formally recognise the sacrifice made by police officers who lose their lives while on duty.
“He is backed by everyone in policing and politicians from all sides and he is 8fully deserving of this honour for all the hard work, effort and energy he has put into keeping the campaign high on the agenda.”
Bryn said the MBE came as a poignant way to mark the 10th anniversary of his daughter’s murder.
He said: “I suppose it’s tinged with that bit of sadness as well because the only reason I’ve been nominated and been given the award was because of what happened to Nicola and the work I’ve done since then.
“It marks the 10-year anniversary so it’s quite a poignant way to mark it to be honest.”
Asked what Nicola would think of his award, Bryn said: “I think she would be proud. She would be very proud.”
Supporters of the Elizabeth Medal campaign believe emergency services workers deserve the same recognition as military personnel who are posthumously honoured with the Elizabeth Cross which is presented to relatives of those killed in action.
The Police Federation is calling for top level talks with ministers in a bid to secure approval for the new medal.