South Wales Police Federation honoured the memory of police officers killed in the line of duty at a poignant service in Scotland at the weekend.

 

Branch chair Phil Walker and secretary Mike George were among the guests at the National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) service on Sunday, which took place at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

 

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan also attended, alongside families, friends, colleagues and senior officials from throughout the UK who formed a congregation of more than 1,000 to honour police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Speaking about the day, Phil said: “It was a real honour for Mike and myself to attend this very special day and to pay our respects on behalf of all our colleagues in South Wales. As you would expect, this was a bittersweet moment for us.

 

 

“It was a day of mixed emotions. I felt sadness, for those colleagues whose lives were tragically cut short, and the friends and family who mourn them, but also immense pride as we remember that they wore the uniform and died while serving and protecting their communities. They will never be forgotten by the police family.”

 

Mike added that it was ‘a powerful service’ as he reflected on the fact that these were regular officers going about their duty when tragedy struck. 

 

“This could be any of us and that’s why I continue to be in awe of the bravery of my colleagues, particularly when I attend events such as the Police Memorial Day,” he continued.

The service opened with a processional march, which included flag bearers from forces from across England and Wales. This was followed by music from the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band.

 

The Reverend Matt Hopley, the National Police Chaplain, opened the service, and Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, welcomed the congregation, saying it was a ‘huge privilege’ for Scotland to be hosting the event.

 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper read from John 15: 12-17, from the Bible, and said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs read a powerful poem titled ‘Grief Told Me Its Name’.

 

The event saw candles lit to represent the four nations of the United Kingdom and to remember more than 5,000 officers who have died on duty in the past 180 years.

 

Lighting the candle for Wales was Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones of North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident, aged 34.

 

For Scotland it was Margaret Collins and Helen Cruddis, mother and sister respectively of PC Anthony (Tony) Collins, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Representing England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre. Luke is serving police officer in Australia.

 

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jill Davidson, the wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45, of Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, who died on 2 June 1994 when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

 

The congregation stood during The Last Post, while silence was kept as green and blue petals fell in remembrance of lives lost. There is an online tribute wall that loved ones can post on. This can be accessed here and will remain active for 30 days following this year’s memorial weekend.

 

Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on 28th September at Coventry Cathedral.