The fathers of two murdered police officers are among the first recipients of the\u00a0 Elizabeth Emblem, a new honour for public servants who have died in the course of duty.<\/p>\n
Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone\u2019s daughters PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes died in 2012 after attending a routine 999 call together following a report of criminal damage at a house in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n
Lissie Harper will also receive one of the first Emblems after her husband, PC Andrew Harper, died in 2019 responding to a call relating to the theft of a quad bike. They are among the loved ones of 30 firefighters, police officers and other public servants who have died in public service.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair, has welcomed the new honour.<\/p>\n
\u2018We absolutely need to recognise our officers who have died in public service – there is no doubt about it. It\u2019s really a shame that it has taken this long for us.<\/p>\n
\u2018Credit must go to Bryn Hughes, the federation and everybody else involved in bringing the emblem into being. It\u2019s absolutely to their credit that we finally got across the line, and it\u2019s right that we start to look at people within our force who should be encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n
\u2018Any family members who need any help with that, we will work with the force to give them that support. It\u2019s absolutely right that their loved ones are recognised formally.\u2019<\/p>\n
Chair of the National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens added: \u2018When a colleague dies in the line of duty shockwaves and sadness reverberate throughout policing. The families, friends and loved ones left behind bear the enduring pain of sacrifice in public service. We owe them a debt of gratitude as we remember their loved ones, always. We recognise their next of kin and pay tribute to them.\u2019<\/p>\n