Scotland’s police chief pays tribute to officers killed in A66 crash

The chief constable of Police Scotland has paid tribute to the two Cleveland Police officers who were killed in a crash on the A66 last month, saying their deaths had “resonated across the UK policing family”.

Jo Farrell was speaking at an annual service of remembrance for officers who died while on duty in Scotland which took place on Wednesday at the Scottish Police Memorial in Tulliallan, Fife.

She was joined at the event by families and friends of fallen officers, along with Scottish Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Reverend Ann Purdie, who delivered the service ahead of a minute’s silence to remember the fallen.

During the service, Ms Farrell spoke of the “devastating” deaths of Pc Tom Clough and Pc Matthew Blades, who were killed when their marked armed response vehicle was hit by a car driving the wrong way on a dual carriageway.

She said: “Today, we come together for the Scottish Police Memorial Trust’s 22nd annual service of remembrance, an essential date in the policing calendar.

“Each year, we come together and reaffirm our commitment, as a policing family, to support our colleagues, friends and loved ones.

“To lift each other up and offer strength and comfort.

“Today, we send a message of support and condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Cleveland Police constables Tom Clough and Matthew Blades whose devastating deaths on duty last month resonated across the UK policing family.

“In Scotland, sadly, the attempted murder of two colleagues in Larkhall in July is a sharp reminder that in times of crisis, police officers move towards danger to keep others safe.

“I want to recognise and pay tribute to officers across the UK who answer calls for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When officers respond to duty, families and loved ones provide crucial care, and support.”

Ms Farrell and others laid wreaths at the memorial, which is engraved with the names of all police officers known to have died on duty in Scotland since the dawn of modern policing, with the first known death being in 1812.

The memorial contains the names of 356 police officers from Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and their antecedent forces.

This includes six new names added this year of officers who died while on duty between 1815 and 1966, representing former constabularies in Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, Dunbartonshire and Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Police Memorial Trust was co-founded in 2003 by Christine Fulton, whose husband Pc Lewis Fulton was killed while he was on duty in Glasgow in 1994.

She said: “This is always a special event to attend as we take time to reflect on our officers who have died.

“Following last week’s tragic event in Cleveland, we are all aware of the importance of remembering and paying tribute to our officers.

“This year’s service will be even more poignant than normal.”

Mr Gray said: “Every day police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe. For some, tragically, that means paying the ultimate sacrifice.

“The Scottish Police Memorial Trust service provides an important opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and selflessness of those who have died on duty, and to recognise the profound debt of gratitude we owe to them and their families.

“The commitment to public service and to protecting others who serve is an enduring example to us all.”