A new force memorial to police officers who have died since 1822, has been unveiled.
West Midlands Police officially revealed the new roll of honour on January 31in the reception of its HQ in Birmingham.
For the first time it brings together all the names of 89 officers who have died on duty in the region since 1822 – the year when the first death on duty of an officer happened.
All the officers have had their names, age and date of their death placed on the memorial. It also includes those who have died through accidents or have been killed in road collisions.
The first officer to die on duty in the region in 1822 was Wolverhampton night watchman Richard Cooke. He was fatally hit on the head by a stone while intervening in a street affray.
Also mentioned are the 32 serving officers who lost their lives in World War Two, including 16 Coventry officers, eight of whom died during an air raid on the city in November 1940. Sixteen Birmingham officers who died during the war are also commemorated.
“Up until now, there has not been a tribute of this kind to honour and remember all the officers who have given their lives while serving West Midlands Police and its former constituent forces so we have worked closely with the force to put this right,” said Chairman of West Midlands Police Federation Ian Edwards.
“These officers have given their lives while serving their communities, fighting and preventing crime, keeping the peace and protecting the vulnerable. This roll of honour will be a permanent reminder of the debt of gratitude we all owe to them.”
A roll of honour which commemorates those officers who died during the two world wars will remain in its current location at Lloyd House.
Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “Although there are a number of local tributes across the force area in memory of officers who have lost their lives while on duty, this is the first time that a force memorial has been erected which brings together the names of all the officers.
“We are proud of these officers and it is right they should be remembered.”
DS Steph Bradley, whose brother PC Ryan Hunt died aged 31 in May 2006 in a traffic collision - while working on an investigation in South Yorkshire - said: “This memorial will be a fitting and lasting tribute to every one of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be a great honour to represent the families.”
1 comment:
Lovely to have you back!
I think this is wonderful, there should be a roll of honour for those who have lost their lives and they should be remembered.
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