Inaugurating a memorial garden in honour of the 876 London police officers killed during the force's 170-year history, Queen Elizabeth spoke of the commitment and courage demonstrated by the British police force and other emergency services.
“The recent terrorist outrages in the United States have reminded us all in the starkest possible way of the debt we all owe, day in and day out, to the police and other emergency services,” said the Queen in her speech at the Metropolitan Police College in Hendon, north west London. “Those who make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf in the line of duty must never be forgotten.” After laying a wreath, she went on to sign a remembrance book containing the names of those slain in the line of duty.
Entries span from the first inscription for June 28, 1830, up to March 14 of this year. “Though separated in time, all are united by a common bond of duty and courage which led them to lay down their own lives in the service of others,” said the monarch, speaking to 150 relatives of deceased officers at the ceremony. “We can only imagine the grief and sense of loss that you, as families and friends of those we honour today have had to bear.” She went on to say that the location of the memorial at the site where new recruits do their training was especially appropriate. “When they pass by the memorial I hope they will pause to reflect on the proud traditions they are inheriting. The courage and personal sacrifice recorded here will, I am certain, be an inspiration to them, as it is to us all.” The Queen later met with families of the deceased in private.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
After laying a wreath at the police training college in Hendon, the Queen signs a book of remembrance for slain officers as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens looks on
Photo: © Alphapress.com
"The recent terrorist outrages in the United States have reminded us all in the starkest possible way of the debt we owe, day in and day out, to the police and other emergency services," said the British monarch
