“Important and emotional COPS remembrance service”

CARE of Police Survivors (COPS) is a “fantastic” charity whose work should be “supported to the full”, the Secretary of Lancashire Police Federation has said.

John Ainsworth – pictured right next to ACC Mark Bates – was among more than 500 people to attend this year’s COPS Service of Remembrance in Staffordshire on Sunday.

Surviving family members and serving police officers gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum to remember officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

“COPS is an absolutely fantastic charity,” said Mr Ainsworth. “It is one that we have supported in the past through our charity dinner and it is vital that volunteers who know what it is like to deal with this kind of suffering are supported to the full.”

Noting the number of plaques and trees dedicated to Lancashire officers, he said: “I think it is vital that we pay homage to our colleagues who have fallen and their families who have been left behind to pick up the pieces after their loved ones have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Mr Ainsworth described the remembrance service as “extremely important” and “very emotional” for surviving family members, and a vital way to ensure that they are given support following their loss and for the rest of their lives.

This year was the biggest-ever COPS weekend, with events taking place all weekend for surviving family members.

During the 60-minute Sunday service a surviving wife, mother, sister and daughter all recalled how the charity had helped them in their time of need.

Chief officers from all UK forces, the Home Office and staff associations were amongst those that took time to pay their respects and lay wreaths.

The Roll of Honour for the eight police officers and one member of staff who died on duty during the last 12 months was read out by outgoing COPS President Sue Brace. Those remembered this year were PCs Shazahan Wadud and Andrew Duncan, of the Metropolitan Police, PCs Tony Collins and Kirsty Nelis and Captain David Traill, all of Police Scotland, DC Adrian Grew, of Kent Police, PC Michael Chapman, of West Midlands Police, PC Mark Murtagh, of Police Scotland, and DC Sharon Garrett, of Cambridgeshire Constabulary.