More than two decades after the death of her brother, Joanne Woodward stood in front of hundreds of people at the National Memorial Arboretum to tell the story of the man behind the police uniform.
Joanne was speaking at this year’s Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Service of Remembrance in Staffordshire, where families, colleagues and members of the wider policing community gathered on Sunday (9 August) to remember officers who have died in the line of duty.
For Joanne, the day was about much more than remembering how her brother, South Wales Police Sergeant Mark Woodward, died. It was about remembering how he lived.
Mark died in a motorcycle accident in 2002, aged 30. But as Joanne shared his story, she spoke not only of a police officer who had dedicated himself to serving his community, but of a brother, husband, father, uncle and friend whose loss continues to be felt by those who knew him.
A floral tribute to fallen South Wales Police officers at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Mark was also a committed police officer. He joined South Wales Police in September 1993 after completing his basic training and quickly established himself as a professional and enthusiastic officer.
Five years later, he joined the Criminal Investigation Department, following in the footsteps of his father and developing a reputation for determination and dedication.
In May 2002, shortly before his death, Mark was promoted to sergeant after working on a murder investigation.
He was proud of the promotion and was beginning a new chapter in his career.
Proudly
Away from work, his family was also entering a new chapter.
Mark had two daughters, Hannah and Emily, and had discovered that he was going to become a father for a third time. His youngest daughter, Holly, was born after his death.
Twenty-four years on, Joanne spoke proudly of the lives all three daughters have built and said she knows their father would have been immensely proud of them.
For Joanne and her family, Mark’s memory has therefore continued through milestones that he never got to see – birthdays, university, graduations, careers and all the moments that make up family life.
But Mark’s legacy has also continued through his ‘second family’ – South Wales Police.
It was a career he had wanted from an early age, inspired in part by his father, and one he embraced with enthusiasm and determination.
That connection with the policing family has helped Joanne and other survivors through COPS and the Police Unity Tour.
COPS service
Joanne initially became involved with the COPS Service of Remembrance after accompanying her parents, who had taken part for several years.
She said she did not really know what to expect and initially thought of herself simply as the chauffeur.
But she recalled seeing the riders cycling together and witnessing the pride, appreciation and gratitude of the families of fallen officers.
There were handshakes, hugs, tears, exchanged bracelets and medals, followed by the powerful sight of the Blue Knights leading the riders towards the memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Police Unity Tour has since given Joanne more than a way to remember her brother. It has introduced her to other survivors who understand a loss that can be difficult for others to comprehend.
And through COPS, she has found friendship, support and a community that understands.
This year’s service, attended by hundreds, marked the end of the Police Unity Tour’s three-day cycling challenge, which raises money for COPS.
Riders from across England and Wales travelled from their home forces to Drayton Manor in Staffordshire on Friday before completing the final journey to the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.
Line of duty
The service was opened by COPS president Gill Marshall, with readings also given by Katie Hull, daughter of Hertfordshire Police Constable Ronald Hull, and Ella Dent, stepdaughter of Metropolitan Police Constable Chris Dent.
Joanne’s reading was followed by the Roll of Honour, remembering officers who have died in the line of duty since last year’s service:
- Police Constable Marcus Bennett, of Civil Nuclear Constabulary, who died on 30 January 2025
- Police Constable Francis Hawkins, of Metropolitan Police, who died on 11 February 2025
- Police Constable Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, who died on 21 June 2025
- Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died on 26 September 2025
- Police Constable Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, who died on 19 November 2025
- Police Constable Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, who died on 21 March 2026
- Police Constable Mark Chester, of Ministry of Defence Police, who died on 2 May 2026
- Police Constable Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, who died on 10 June 2026
- Police Constable Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, who died on 17 July 2026.
A minute’s silence was held before wreaths were laid by representatives of policing organisations and the Police Unity Tour.
Music was performed by the West Midlands Police Brass Band and West Midlands Superintendent Sam Batey.
Chief Constable Sir John Robins QPM DL, from the COPS Chair of Trustees, closed the service. Families and guests then made their way to The Beat, an avenue of trees dedicated to individual forces and officers, to lay wreaths and single red roses.
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