28/09/2026
Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.
Members of the police family gathered in Belfast on 27 September, to honour around the more than 4,500 officers who have lost their lives on duty.
1,500 people were in attendance.
The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out.
PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, of Cleveland Police, PC Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, PC Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, PC Mark Chester, of The Ministry of Defence Police, PC Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, PC Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, and PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police.
Martin Midgley, Chair of Lancashire Police Federation, said: “We are here to remember colleagues who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives for policing and the communities that they serve. We've had some really tragic events recently. Look at what happened in Cleveland, and it sent ripples through the whole policing community.
“I'm honoured to be here to represent Lancashire Police Federation to pay my respects to colleagues who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and remember them, and it is such a tough job that we do.
“We’ve got to remember how difficult policing is and ultimately police officers around the world, around the country are putting their lives on the line really to protect the communities they serve, and it's just right that we remember colleagues who have paid that ultimate sacrifice.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did the Lady Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle. And Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jackie Gorman, mother of Constable Kevin Gorman, who died 23rd November 2008, alongside three colleagues, while responding to a call for assistance when their police vehicle lost control and struck a wall.
Lighting the candle for Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Constabulary, who died on 27th September 1989. Adrian was killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.
Lighting the candle for Scotland was Christine Fulton MBE, wife of PC Lewis Fulton, of Strathclyde Police, who died on 17 June 1994, when he was stabbed during a violent struggle as he took action to protect members of the public.
Lighting the candle for England was Chris Prior, husband of PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police, who died on 11 January 2025, when she was struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.
At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.
