Page 18 - WMPF Federation Oct-Nov 2018-flip_Neat

National Police Memorial Day 2018

Memorial day honours fallen officers

housands of police officers who
have died or been killed in the line of
Tduty were honoured at the annual
National Police Memorial Day service in
Belfast.
Families, friends, colleagues, senior Photographs courtesy of Anderson Photography
officers, and Government officials –
including the Home Secretary - were
welcomed on arrival at the Waterfront Hall
by a guard of honour formed by
representatives from forces in England,
Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and
uniformed officers from overseas forces.
Rich Cooke, chair, and Steve Grange,
secretary, represented West Midlands Police
Federation at the service which rotates
between England, Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales.
Steve explained: “The memorial day
service is one of the key events in the
policing year and gives us the opportunity to
remember those officers who died in the
line of duty.
“During the service, I took time to reflect
and remember those West Midlands
colleagues who sadly never returned to their
families after their shift.”
Steve added: “This year’s service had the
added poignancy since it is the 100th
anniversary of the end of the First World
War so we also remembered the brave
officers who either lost their lives after
enlisting to serve their country or died
shortly after the end of the war as a result of
injuries sustained in the conflict.”
The congregation was welcomed by the
Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Fionnuala
Jay-O’Boyle CBE.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid gave a The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid (second from the right) with Federation chair John Apter to
reading at the service and later said: “It was
his right.
an honour to help pay tribute to the Canon David Wilbraham, National Police
thousands of police officers and staff who Chaplain, led the act of remembrance during
have given their lives while serving and which Sid Mackay, chair of the Police Roll of
protecting us all, including those who died Honour, laid a wreath to mark the centenary
in the First World War. of the end of the First World War and in
“The National Police Memorial Service is memory of the police officers who lost their
an important and poignant reminder of the lives.
courage shown by the police each and every Candles from each of the four nations of
day.” the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
The sermon was given by The Right Northern Ireland were lit by family members
Reverend Dr Charles McMullen, Moderator of of fallen officers to signify the undying flame
the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, before of devotion and commitment.
prayers were read by Denis Gunn, father of Representing Northern Ireland: Joseph
PC Richard Gunn of Surrey Police and Pearl Ferguson and Susan Ferguson O’Neill,
Sid Mackay from the Police Roll of Honour Marshall, mother of Constable Michael brother and sister of Constable Michael John
Trust, lays a wreath to mark the centenary of Frederick Leslie Marshall of the Royal Ulster Ferguson (21) of the RUC who was murdered
the end of the First World War. Constabulary (RUC). by the IRA in 1993.
18 federation October/November 2018 www.polfed.org/westmids