News

News

The Duke of Rothesay attends the National Police Memorial Service in Glasgow

25th September 2011

The Prince of Wales attended the National Police Memorial Service in Glasgow today, meeting the families and friends of those who have been killed in the line of duty.

The Prince, known as The Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, is Patron of the Memorial Service.

The mother of a young police officer killed by terrorists spoke of her pride and sorrow as her son was remembered in the ceremony.

Constable Ronan Kerr died in April when an improvised explosive device detonated under his car outside his home in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

The 25-year-old had started operational duty just four months earlier.

Today his mother Nuala Kerr said her son had died doing what he loved.

Fighting back tears, she said: "The fact that Ronan has been remembered means so much.

"He would have been proud - but he didn't want to be remembered in this
way.

Mrs Kerr said: "Prince Charles sent us flowers and a letter at the time
of Ronan's death. It was nice to be able to thank him.

"It means a lot that these people have taken the time to remember my
son.

"I just told The Prince about Ronan and the impact that his death has had. It has been difficult for us as a family, but important that he is remembered like this".

The lives of some 4,000 officers police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty since the birth of modern policing were remembered in the emotional service at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.

In a foreword to the programme handed to the friends and families of the dead, The Duke wrote: "It is only right and proper that we honour the supreme valour and remarkable heroism that make the British Police Service respected and admired around the world.

"Day after day the brave men and women who police our Nation place our
safety above that of their own.

"All too often the extraordinary courage displayed by our police results in the ultimate sacrifice being paid. Those brave officers, who gave their all for us, deserve to be honoured and remembered".

Also present were Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, who gave the
welcoming address and Home Secretary Theresa May, who read from the Book
of Lamentations.

They joined the 2,000 officers, dignitaries and families of the fallen.