THE Police Family gathered on Sunday (29 July) to remember more than 4,000 police officers who have died on duty – and to support family members left behind.<\/p>\n
The Annual Care of Police Survivors Service of Remembrance took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in horrendous weather conditions – but that did not stop the service being packed out.<\/p>\n
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington was one of those in attendance paying their respects \u2013 having ridden on the Annual Police Unity Tour.<\/p>\n
CC Harrington said: \u201cIt\u2019s really important, isn\u2019t it? We look after the public and this is an opportunity for us to look after the people that do that. The people that have given their lives, the families, the Survivors who have given everything to come here, remember that, to give their support, support the charity so that we can look after the people who look after everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking about The Unity Tour, he added: \u201cIt\u2019s hard work. Some of the hills. Every extreme of weather. From 40\u00b0 on Thursday through to cold and rain today. It\u2019s good fun and it\u2019s a great camaraderie to have survivors riding with us. And don\u2019t forget the support teams because riding the tour is one thing, but the people who make sure we\u2019re fed and watered and our kit gets to where we\u2019re travelling to is really important as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, the Essex Chapter rode with Donna Cox \u2013 sister of our fallen colleague PC Jo-Ann Jennings. 2019 marks 30 years since Jo-Ann\u2019s death on duty.<\/p>\n
CC Harrington added: \u201cThat was a special tour. We did an extra leg from Chelmsford to Norfolk in commemoration of Jo. And of course Brett Daniels whose Dad, Rod, was killed at work, and he rode with us as well. So really important that they\u2019re riding with us and part of that team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The service on Sunday was attended by more than 800 people and events took place all weekend for surviving family members.<\/p>\n
Chief officers from all UK forces, the Home Office and staff associations were among those who took time to honour fallen officers and lay wreaths. The West Midlands Police band and a piper provided accompanying music.<\/p>\n
A succession of speakers – known as Survivors – (including Donna Cox, sister of PC Jo-Ann Jennings) spoke movingly and with good humour recalling their police officer loved one who had been lost on duty and also importantly of the support the Charity COPS offers family members of deceased police officers.<\/p>\n
Officers remembered this year – who had died on duty over the past year – were Special Agent Noel Remagen of the US Secret Service (who died while on deployment in Scotland), PC Joseph Cook, of the Metropolitan Police, PC Daniel Clayton-Drabble and Sgt Kevin Flint, of Thames Valley Police, and Sgt Colin Fox, of the Metropolitan Police.<\/p>\n
The Blue Knights motorcyclists – long-time supporters of the Charity – were first to arrive at the soggy service on Sunday.<\/p>\n
They were shortly followed by more than 400 cyclists from the Annual Police Unity Tour. The bumper event – with riders starting their journeys now from all across Britain – culminated at the Service and is expected to raise some \u00a3200,000 for the Charity.<\/p>\n
New President of COPS Gill Marshall said the Charity is \u201cso important.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI\u2019ve been involved since 2006 when my husband was killed. We\u2019ve had such great support over the years, both myself and my kids who were 2 and 4 when they lost their dad. So, I guess I\u2019m now in a position to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe COPS weekend brings together families from all over the country. We can laugh. We can cry. Nobody will judge you and you are amongst people who know every step of the journey that you\u2019ve been on.\u201d<\/p>\n
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