A day for remembering
Monday, 01 September, 2008
Families and colleagues of police officers who lost their lives in the course of duty came together for the seventh annual COPS (Care of Police Survivors) weekend.
Families had the opportunity to meet others who have also lost loved ones and attend a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The remembrance service was attended by families, The Rt Hon Tony McNulty MP, Minister of State, Chief Constables, senior Police Officers from 45 forces across the UK and representatives from all key Police organisations. As the families took their seats for the service the West Midlands Police Band played a tribute. The service was then opened by COPS patron, Sir Keith Povey QPM.
Representatives from Police forces and associations across the UK laid wreathes in memory of their fallen colleagues.
This was followed by Christine Fulton MBE, COPS National President, reading a roll of honour of the ten Police Officers who have lost their lives over the past 12 months. Christine also presented the COPS Volunteer of the Year Award to Police Mutual. The moving service was closed by The Rt Hon Tony McNulty MP, Minister of State who said.
This was followed by a poignant gesture at 'The Beat' - the Police memorial section of the Arboretum that was established by Police Mutual. Stephen Kershaw, Director of Police Reform and Resources at the Home Office and Graham Berville, Chief Executive of Police Mutual laid wreaths in memory of fallen Officers. Surviving family members then laid a single red rose at the tree representing their force to commemorate their loved ones. Commenting on the service, Craig Mackey, Chief Constable of Cumbria said, "The COPS annual service of remembrance is very important to the Police Service and it's been a very impressive event. It is vital that we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their community and for us to demonstrate our responsibility to their loved ones and show them that they are still part of the Police Family.
I would urge all of my colleagues to support COPS in any way they can." Members of The Blue Knights motorcycle club attended in large numbers and cars from the Metropolitan Police Historic Vehicle fleet and an American Police Car donated to COPS by Chief Charlie Deane of Prince William County PD in Virginia, all added to the atmosphere.
The emotional events of the morning were followed by an afternoon of family fun at Packington Moor Farm, close to the Arboretum.
