Met Police Hold Moving Memorial Amid Covid Restrictions
The annual Metropolitan Police memorial went ahead this year with reduced numbers, following strict Covid-19 safety rules. Families, friends, and colleagues of fallen officers gathered alongside Met Police Commissioner and special guests to remember those lost in the line of duty.
Priti Patel Attends as Guest of Honour
Home Secretary Priti Patel was a prominent guest at the sombre event. The service was led by Met senior chaplain Jonathan Osborne, kicking off with an address from the Commissioner. It ended with a heartfelt wreath-laying at the Memorial Stone in the Met’s Hendon memorial garden.
Honouring Fallen Heroes: Ratana and Miller Remembered
The dedication of two officers who died most recently was deeply recognised. Police Sergeant Matiu ‘Matt’ Ratana, 54, was shot in the chest at croydon/" title="Croydon" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Croydon Custody Centre on 25 September 2020. Police Constable Christopher Miller died in a fatal motorbike crash on 15 September 2020 while heading to duty in east London.
To include families who could not attend, organisers recorded the half-hour ceremony, allowing loved ones to view it at their convenience.
Met Pays Tribute to 650 Fallen Officers
Over the Met’s 193-year history, more than 650 officers and staff have lost their lives in service. Commissioner Cressida Dick paid tribute, saying:
“The Met has a proud history and I feel that pride every single day when I meet with my officers and staff and hear their stories.
We are all members of the wider Met family and stand together in mourning and remembering loved ones.
We will always be indebted to those who have died, for the service they gave in support of others, and it is important that we gather every year to honour their contributions. We will never forget them.”
