The 23rd National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) was held over the weekend as South Wales Police Federation chair Phil Walker praised the service for its touching tribute to officers who have died in the line of duty.
Belfast was the host for this year’s NPMD, which took place at Waterfront Hall on Sunday 27 September.
The event brought together thousands of guests including senior police leaders, religious leaders, politicians and the families of fallen officers, as well as Federation officials such as returning attendee Phil.
Ahead of the service, he discussed what it meant for him to be at another edition of one of the policing calendar’s most significant dates.
Honour
“Again, it’s a very proud moment for me as chair of South Wales Police Federation and as a South Wales Police officer, to be representing all of the officers and staff in the wider police family who we’ve tragically lost over the years,” Phil said.
“I think today really means a lot, especially with everything that’s going on in policing and with the recent loss in Cleveland of two very important parts of our policing family in PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
“A day like today really hits home what their loved ones have lost. Their losses are huge individually, but also collectively for everyone connected to policing. Sadly, the pain is still fresh for many, but it is an honour to be here remembering them and other fallen colleagues.”
Phil went on to underline how essential it is that events like NPMDcontinue to be observed on such a wide scale throughout the profession.
“I think that is vitally important – I don’t think a single officer or member of the police family who’s no longer with us should ever be forgotten. For us, we strive as a Federation branch to remember those in South Wales who we’ve lost over the years,” he added.
“Having so many people come together on a day like today ensures every force and every area of the country is covered, so even those who died a long time ago are being remembered for the incredible people they were.
“That’s what National Police Memorial Day is designed for: to remember every single person who has taken the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of public safety.”
Poignant
The 2026 NPMD service was poignantly delivered, with eight officers who had died on duty during the previous 12 months remembered during the commemorations.
They were:
- Police Constable Matthew Blades, Cleveland Police, aged 37
- Police Constable Tom Clough, Cleveland Police, aged 38
- Police Constable Alice Slominska, Bedfordshire Police, aged 19
- Police Constable Jess Turnbull, Northumbria Police, aged 19
- Police Constable Mark Chester, Ministry of Defence Police, aged 35
- Police Constable Mathew Parker, Essex Police, aged 43
- Police Constable Bradley Corke, Kent Police, aged 27
- Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb, Northamptonshire Police, aged 24
Commemorations were opened with a processional march featuring flag bearers from forces across England and Wales, followed by music from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
National Police Chaplain the Reverend Matt Hopley opened the service before Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, welcomed the congregation.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Lady Ruth Hamilton, Patron of the RUC GC Widows’ Association, then gave moving readings in the next part of the service.
Music was provided by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Male Voice Choir and Police Service of Northern Ireland Ladies Choir.
Candles
Police hats representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were carried to the front of the hall and laid beside candles, before relatives representing each nation lit a candle.
The Northern Ireland candle was lit by Jackie Gorman, mother of Police Constable Kevin Declan Gorman, who died aged 24 on 23 November 2008 alongside three colleagues while responding to a call for assistance.
The Welsh candle was lit by Dorothy Ellis, mother of Gwent Police Constable Adrian Bryn Ellis, who died aged 29 on 27 September 1989 after being killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.
The Scottish candle was lit by Christine Fulton MBE, wife of Police Constable Lewis George Fulton, who died aged 28 on 17 June 1994 after being stabbed during a violent struggle while protecting members of the public.
The English candle was lit by Chris Prior, husband of North Yorkshire Police Constable Rosie Prior, who died aged 45 on 11 January 2025 after being struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.
Lives lost
The congregation stood for The Last Post as petals fell in remembrance of lives lost.
The lights were then dimmed, with members of the congregation holding flameless candles as a spotlight illuminated the Book of Remembrance, which contains the names of all officers who have died on duty. A lone piper was also illuminated as part of the ceremony.
Eight red flameless candles were placed on the altar table in tribute to the officers who had died during the previous 12 months.
The service concluded with the Act of Commitment, led by Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher QPM, followed by the Benediction and National Anthem.
The next National Police Memorial Day will be held in Wales on Sunday 26 September 2027, with the venue to be confirmed.
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