New memorial to honour fallen police officers unveiled

HRH The Prince of Wales unveiled the new UK Police Memorial at the National Arboretum earlier today.

At the same time, West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham was joined by the families of fallen officers and staff, alongside force representatives to plant a tree and unveil a plaque at the force headquarters at Hindlip in Worcestershire.

Chief Constable Bangham said: “This is an historic day; for policing in this country, for those who continue to serve, those who have retired and most importantly for the families and friends of those officers and staff who have lost their lives whilst protecting others.

“The National Memorial is the culmination of seven years’ work. It has been created to honour the courage and sacrifice of members of our police service who have paid the ultimate price: a price where duty came first in order to keep others safe.

“Coinciding with the dedication of the national memorial, today seems a fitting moment for us to create a single place of remembrance at West Mercia Police headquarters for all of our colleagues who have lost their lives whilst on duty, protecting our communities.

“I hope the tree planted at Hindlip today will continue to be a quiet place for reflection and remembrance for many generations to come.”

Prior to the unveiling ceremony at Hindlip, where the force chaplain The Revd Dick Johnson said a prayer and read out the names of those who have died while on duty with West Mercia, the Chief and guests gathered to watch live the streaming of the dedication ceremony of the new memorial at the arboretum.

The new UK Police Memorial is 12 metres tall and made of bronze. It is set within a beautifully landscaped area of the arboretum and has been designed for ceremony, tribute and personal acts of reflection. Its leaf-shaped apertures represent courage, sacrifice and lives lost.

The dedication event was attended by hundreds of guests including Prince Charles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, dignitaries, and representatives from all police forces across the country including Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss from West Mercia Police, policing charities and the families and friends of officers who died while on duty.

Officers from West Mercia Police commemorated through the UK Police Memorial include:

• PC Tony Barsby 
• PC Ron Boxley 
• DC John Irvine 
• PC Ashley Burchell 
• PC Paul Symonds 
• PC John Bonelle 
• PC Dave Hopkins 
• PC Ricky Gray 
• Sgt Ian Jones 
• DC Tony Wright

The National Memorial Arboretum is the nation’s place of year-round remembrance for all our services.

It is home to almost 400 thought-provoking memorials, including the National Armed Forces Memorial, and attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year.