Proposed Elizabeth Medal To Honour Fallen Officers

SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation is backing the Medals For Heroes campaign, which would see an ‘Elizabeth Medal’ awarded posthumously to emergency services workers killed on duty.

The campaign has been started by Bryn Hughes (pictured) and Paul Bone – the fathers of GMP officers PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone, who were killed on duty in 2012 while responding to a hoax burglary call.

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: “Bryn Hughes, Nicola’s father, is a friend of the Federation, and our force is one of the biggest supporters who contribute to his fundraising project ‘Run to Remember’, so we’ve got a really good relationship with him.

“Bryn and Paul Bone have our 100% support. We are so proud of them for pushing this forward because it is absolutely right that officers are recognised in this way when they give their lives to protect the public.”

The Elizabeth Medal is also gaining traction in Parliament, with a number of MPs supporting it. Speaking at a backbench debate, Holly Lynch MP, Shadow Minister for Security, said: “So often officers are out there on their own. There is no such thing as a routine call in policing – the circumstances can change in an instant.

“This medal will be one step towards understanding the contributions they make, the risks that they take, and what we really owe to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”