Assistant Chief Constable Vaughan Lukey and branch chair Liz Groom
Liz Groom, chair of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, travelled to Scotland at the weekend to take part in a special service of remembrance for police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Together with Assistant Chief Constable Vaughan Lukey, Liz attended the 21st annual National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Sunday (29 September).
The event began with a processional march through the streets, which included flag bearers from forces from across England and Wales. This was followed by music from the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band.
The service was attended by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and senior officials from throughout the UK, who formed a congregation of more than 1,000 to honour police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Liz commented: “It was an honour to be present for this wonderful event and to pay my respects to police colleagues today. It’s so important that we never forget the sacrifices they made, not just today but every day. I was particularly moved by the dignity of the families. I know it means a lot to them that the memory of their loved ones is cherished by the police family and not forgotten.
“It is at moments like this when you stop and think that those who we lost had put on their uniform that day and gone to work expecting it to be a normal shift, only for tragedy to strike. That’s why we must never forget their dedication to the job, but we must also respect the bravery of colleagues who continue to wear the uniform and run towards danger.”
Canon David Wilbraham MBE, chair of the Police Remembrance Trust, and co-ordinator for National Police Memorial Day added: “Being true to our motto ‘lest we forget’ carries the commitment ‘we will remember’ and by telling their stories and speaking their names we keep their memory and therefore them alive.”
The Reverend Matt Hopley, the National Police Chaplain, opened the service, and Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, welcomed the congregation, saying it was a ‘huge privilege’ for Scotland to be hosting the event.
The Home Secretary read an extract from John 15: 12-17, from the Bible, and said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And, Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs read a powerful poem titled ‘Grief Told Me Its Name’.
Candles were lit to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom and to remember more than 5,000 officers who have died on duty in the past 180 years.
Representing England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre. Luke is a serving police officer in Australia.
Lighting the candle for Wales was Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones of North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident, aged 34.
For Scotland it was Margaret Collins and Helen Cruddis, mother and sister respectively of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jill Davidson, the wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45, of Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, who died on 2 June 1994 when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.
The names of officers who have died in the last 12 months – including Sergeant Graham Saville of Nottinghamshire Police, Sergeant Paul Frear (West Midlands), PC Jack Cummings (West Yorkshire) and Sergeant Reece Buckenham (Hertfordshire) – were read, with a tribute shown on a screen.
The congregation stood during The Last Post, while silence was kept as green and blue petals fell in remembrance of lives lost. There is an online tribute wall that loved ones can post on. This can be accessed here and will remain active for 30 days following this year’s memorial weekend.
Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on 28 September at Coventry Cathedral.
