Page 9 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

HRH The Prince of Wales addressing invited John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, lays a wreath during the ceremony.
guests.
however small that is, that you won’t be the world. Air Service (NPAS) paid tribute to fallen
going home, yet you continue to do it The £4.5 million memorial, which follows officers by taking part in a fly past and
anyway.” seven years of fund-raising and took 12 “bowing” in front of the sculpture.
He continued to thank the police service months to build, was designed by Walter The British Police Symphony Orchestra
for providing the country with “safety, Jack Studio. performed during the event, with singer
security and freedom”, adding that members The sculpture is designed to look like a Katherine Jenkins closing the ceremony with
of the public are only able to walk down the slightly ajar door said to signify officers going the National Anthem. There was also a
streets without fear because police officers into the unknown during their line of work minute’s silence.
are standing between them and danger. on a daily basis. The event was two months before this
“We must never take that for granted Sir Hugh Orde, chair of The Police year’s annual National Police Memorial Day,
and we must never forget. No words can Arboretum Memorial Trust, explained that it which will be taking place on Sunday 26
describe what we owe your fallen is decorated with cut-out leaves, which September, and just days before the Care of
colleagues,” he said, before ending by represent the lives of the heroic officers lost. Police Survivors (COPS) memorial service at
calling the British police force, the finest in During the ceremony, the National Police the arboretum on Sunday 2 August.
Boys’ poignant tribute to grandad killed in line of duty

Three boys have paid their respects to the
grandfather they never got to meet on the
site of the new UK Police Memorial.
Harvey (10), Riley (5) and Reggie (7) are
pictured beside the memorial at the National
Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire which
was officially dedicated on 28 July.
Falling leaf-shaped apertures in the
12-metre-tall brass sculpture signify the lives
of almost 5,000 officers who have died while
protecting the public.
One of those was their grandfather, Mac
Walker.
West Midlands Police traffic officer Mac
was deliberately rammed off his bike in
Birmingham by a man driving a stolen car in
2001.
The 46-year-old officer was catapulted off
his bike into a bollard and later died from his
injuries.
His widow Helen Walker said: “The
memorial is in a lovely location at the The three grandchildren pay their respects.
arboretum: a beautiful, peaceful place where and future generations can come and honour The £4.5-million project - which also
people can go and reflect on the life of loved their heroes and the courageous sacrifice the includes a digital memorial and educational
ones they’ve lost. fallen officers have made to protect the package for schools - was paid for through
“It’s a place where children, grandchildren public.” fund-raising.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2021 09