Page 18 - WMPF Federation Oct-Nov 2020_Neat

National Police Memorial Day

Prince Charles

pays tribute to

fallen officers

his year’s National Police Memorial meet as usual but we can all take a moment
Day (NPMD) was particularly poignant to honour those who have paid the ultimate
Tafter the killing of Metropolitan Police price and who have given their lives in the
Sergeant Matt Ratana two days earlier, says service of others.”
the chair of West Midlands Police Federation. He paid special tribute to the seven
Jon Nott said the virtual service gave officers - including West Midlands Police
officers and family members the opportunity Special Resham Singh Nahal - who have lost
to come together to honour fallen officers, their lives since the last NPMD and spoke of
including PS Ratana, despite the fact that Friday’s incident in Croydon.
the original memorial day service planned at “What happened on Friday is the latest
Lincoln Cathedral had to be cancelled due to heart-breaking evidence of the risks faced by
the restrictions of the pandemic. our officers daily. These are losses we can
“National Police Memorial Day is always never replace, sacrifices we can never repay
one of the key events in the policing year and but of which, as a society, we can only strive
I am pleased, that despite the difficulties to be worthy. We owe our police service and
presented through the ongoing Covid-19 its remarkable officers the most profound
crisis, the organisers were able to stage a debt of gratitude for their continued selfless
service so that we could honour the memory commitment and dedication,” he added.
of our colleagues who have paid the The Home Secretary expressed her
ultimate price while serving their gratitude to police officers and staff for their
communities,” says Jon. “selfless work”, adding that the courageous
“The death of Matt Ratana served as a officers in messages for the service. officers who made the ultimate sacrifice
reminder of the risks officers face as they People were encouraged to join the would “never be forgotten”. She gave a
carry out their duties and we should never service from their homes and share images reading from The Beatitudes.
forget the sacrifices of our fallen officers and of a virtual candle. They were also able to In his message, the Prime Minister said:
the impact their loss has on their families, write messages and share memories or “The terrible killing of an officer in Croydon
friends and colleagues.” thoughts on a Tribute Wall to remember and on Friday is a reminder of the risks police
HRH The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister celebrate the lives of their lost loved ones. officers face every day. They show
Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel Prince Charles, patron of the NPMD, extraordinary courage by going towards
all paid tribute to PS Ratana and other fallen opened the ceremony and said: “We can’t danger rather than away from it to protect
“ laid down their lives to prevent us from
the public. The officers we remember today
These are losses we can never replace,
coming to harm and for that we owe them a
sacrifices we can never repay but of which, as
huge debt.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most

a society, we can only strive to be worthy. We
Reverend Justin Welby, gave a blessing and
owe our police service and its remarkable
played a moving rendition of ‘I Vow to Thee
officers the most profound debt of gratitude for the British Police Symphony Orchestra
My Country’ as speakers from the four
their continued selfless commitment and corners of the UK spoke about what NPMD
means to them.
dedication. Louie Johnston, son of Reserve Constable
David Johnston of the Royal Ulster

18 federation October/November 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids

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