Page 18 - WMPF Federation AUG-SEPT 2019_Neat

Annual remembrance service

PUT cyclists brave

the rain for COPS

f a bike ride of more than 200 miles over
two days was not enough to contend
Iwith then heavy rain certainly added to
the challenge faced by the three
representatives of West Midlands Police
who took part in the annual Police Unity
Tour sponsored bike ride to raise funds for
the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS).
But, despite the wet weather, the trio
– Chief Constable Dave Thompson, West
Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke,
and Force academic researcher Gill Wall –
were left in no doubt that their efforts had
been worthwhile when they heard fallen
officers’ family members talk about the
lifeline offered to them by COPS at the
charity’s annual remembrance service on
Sunday.
“The bike ride was definitely testing at
times,” said Rich, “I think covering that
distance was always going to be a bit of a
trial but the weather certainly made it even
more difficult. I just kept in mind who we
were riding for and that kept me going.
“Having changed out of my cycling gear,
which was absolutely wet through once we
came to the end of route, it was quite
moving to listen to those who spoke during
the service to explain how COPS had helped
them through their darkest days. I am really
pleased to have been able to support the
charity’s work and, in turn, offer support to
fallen officers’ families.”
Through COPS, the families of fallen
officers and police staff are able to support
each other while the charity also provides
access to counselling services to help West Midlands riders (left to right) Chief Constable Dave Thompson, Gill Wall and Rich Cooke
survivors rebuild their lives. Each year it with another member of the PUT team.
holds a survivors’ weekend for fallen officers’
families culminating in a remembrance Federation, and the West Midlands Band darkest of moments’.
service at the National Memorial Arboretum also performed. That was a similar theme for the other
in Staffordshire. It was opened by the national president family members of fallen officers who, as is
Ahead of the service, those taking part of COPS, Gill Marshall, who was widowed the norm for the COPS service, gave accounts
in the Police Unity Tour ride, including when her husband died on duty in 2006 of their own experiences.
representatives from forces across England when their two daughters were two and This year’s speakers were: George Parker,
and Wales who set off from various points four. son of PC Andy Parker (30) of North Wales
across the country on Friday, followed the “COPS is a wonderful organisation,” she Police who died in a motorbike crash on his
Blue Knights motorcyclists into the told the congregation as she thanked way home from a night shift on 23
arboretum where they were greeted by a everyone for supporting the charity. September 2005; Angela Morgan, fiancée of
raincoat-clad and umbrella-holding crowd. Gill spoke of how COPS had helped her DC Gary Freeman (36) of Derbyshire
The service, held in an open-sided rebuild her life, with the support of other Constabulary, who died along with DC
marquee, was attended by Steve Grange, fallen officers’ families through the charity, Anthony Thornley when their vehicle was in
secretary of West Midlands Police giving her ‘a sense of belonging in the collision with a lorry on 19 August 1994;

18 federation August/September 2019 www.polfed.org/westmids