POLICE UNITY TOUR
command base in Chelmsford on January 5, 2017, and Katy McMurray – daughter of Police Constable Alan McMurray who died on February 4, 2006, after being struck by a vehicle at the scene of an RTC. The service was closed by police whistles followed by a flyover by a National Police Air Service helicopter dipping its nose above the families to salute and honour the fallen officers. COPS Chief Executive Tim Buckley said: “This annual event for the families of officers that die on duty is an extraordinary affirmation of the power of people to rebuild their shattered lives. This year marked our 20th anniversary, and we brought more survivors together than ever to remember and celebrate their fallen officers.
“Seeing the bonds of peer support and life-long friendships forged through the pain of such a terrible loss is the whole reason COPS exists, and it is a privilege and honour to be part of the charity and this experience.” Christine Fulton MBE,
survivor, co-founder and life vice president, said: “When we started Care of Police Survivors,
we never imagined it would be a big charity. We thought it would just be the recently bereaved wanting to be involved. And it took us quite by surprise how families would contact us for officers’ deaths from such a long time ago.” Following the service,
colleagues, friends and families walked together down ‘The Beat’, a promenade lined with trees dedicated to fallen officers from every UK police force. It is here where those who held it together during the service can no longer hold in their emotions and the reality and grieving of those who have lost officers comes to the surface. Such is its growing success; the demand for places and wish to support the tour has become overwhelming and so the UK tour has now formed a number of chapters in line with the American tour. We ride for those who died. We will never forget them.
The dates for next year’s tour are already confirmed as the 26-28 July. Details of how to sign up can be found at
www.ukpoliceunitytour.org
33 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2023
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