Fallen Colleagues Remembered at Care of Police Survivors Service

There was emotion as police officers who have died on duty were remembered by their family and friends at the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Annual Service of Remembrance.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 3 August to pay their respects to officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

More than 1,000 people attended the service in Staffordshire – where the rain thankfully held off.

Events took place all weekend for surviving family members.

During the one-hour service on Sunday, survivors recalled their loss and how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Two daughters of fallen police officers and a sister of a colleague who died on duty spoke with emotion and humour recalling their loved one.

The Roll of Honour for the police officers and who have died on duty during the past 12 months was read out.

Those remembered this year were Acting Sgt Reece Buckenham, of Hertfordshire Police; DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; PC Michael Bruce, of the Metropolitan Police; and PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The Police Unity Tour arrived before the Service of Remembrance – more than 500 cyclists who had ridden from across the country to the Arboretum in memory of fallen officers.

The cyclists raise money for the COPS charity – and this year raised in excess of £230,000.

The DPF former General Secretary Mitch Batt took part in the Unity Tour for the first time – which started on the first day of his retirement.

He said: “I think it’s really important within policing that we recognise those who have sacrificed their lives for looking after public.

“I wanted to take part to recognise all of those that have gone before, I’ve tried to do it a couple of years previous but never got into the team. This year was the first time I’d got into the team and they started off on the first day of my retirement.

“It’s been really good, really good fun. The camaraderie is absolutely superb. I’ve had three punctures which is apparently a record.

“I think it demonstrates that as police officers you generally join police and it’s a vocation, it’s a vocation and we’re all in it together. And we all want to do the same thing, we all want to help people, we all want to look after the public and this just shows what it’s all about.”

Also attending were the Blue Knights motorcyclists.