Annual South Yorkshire Police memorial service honours officers who died in line of duty
Bravery, courage and sacrifice were honoured
The annual South Yorkshire Police memorial service has been held in Sheffield to honour those who died in the line of duty.
Staff and officers from SYP gathered at Sheffield Cathedral on Saturday, October 10, where they paid their respects.
The service started at 9.30am, when the families of those who have lost their lives were welcomed by a Guard of Honour made up of serving officers and staff.
Chief Constable Lauren Poultney spoke during the event, saying: “Our memorial service is incredibly important. This is an opportunity for us to come together to formally remember those who have died in the line of duty.
“I hope this service shows you, the families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of those who we have lost that they, and you, will always be a part of our police family.
“Our service today is truly home grown, and the range of people involved in delivering it reflects the diversity and strength of our police family. I am proud of you and the support we show to each other in good times and bad.”
SYP events manager Helen Eshelby and the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, also gave readings during the memorial.
The service was led by the Sheffield Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend Abigail Thompson, who said: “We recall the bravery, courage and sacrifice involved in this calling together with the immense encouragement provided by the families and friends of those who serve.
“With sorrow and thanksgiving we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who day by day willingly face difficulty and danger to protect the public and the greater community of their families and friends who give unremitting support and may themselves suffer when tragedy strikes.”
The Cathedral choir were in attendance, as well as music provided by the South Yorkshire Police Band, directed by Leigh Baker.
The annual service acts as a reminder of those who have died and their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifice of their families and loved ones.
South Yorkshire officers who have died in service include PC Matt Lannie, 40, who died in a collision six years ago
On April 21, 2020, roads policing officer PC Matt Lannie was responding to an emergency call when his police motorbike was involved in a collision on Nether Lane, Ecclesfield.
PC Glen Howe, 48, also died in an an incident while on duty.
He was responding to a 999 call on his police motorbike on October 25, 2008, when he was involved in a collision with a lorry on Prince of Wales Road.
PC Gina Rutherford was just 25-years-old when the car she was on patrol in skidded on ice and crashed into the River Dearne on February 7, 1994.
PC Rutherford, who was based at Goldthorpe police station in Barnsley, could not be saved and tragically died.
PC David Fields, 45, of Halfway, and Lorraine Stephenson, 61, of Beighton, both died at the scene of the crash which happened on the A57 Mosborough Bypass on Christmas Day, 2017 at around 8.20pm.
An inquest into the deaths heard that the police car, being driven at more than 100mph, is likely to have ‘aquaplaned’ before the crash.
At the time of the crash, PC Fields had been responding to a 999 call about a street brawl involving up to 15 people in which there was thought to be a threat to life.