The names of six officers, who died while on duty, have been added to the roll of honour and memorial stones at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan

Officers who died on duty are remembered during the annual ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan.

At the 21st annual Scottish Police Memorial Trust Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, 3 September, Chief Constable Jo Farrell welcomed the family and friends of fallen colleagues, as they gathered in honour of those who passed away while serving their communities.

The Scottish Police Memorial Trust (SPMT) is a charity established in 2003 with the purpose of honouring police officers who have died on duty in Scotland. There stands a memorial at the Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, where there is an annual service of remembrance. The Trust also provides support to the family of officers who have died on duty and conducts historical research to ensure that no officer who has died on duty in Scotland is forgotten.

Speaking at today’s service Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “The Scottish Police Memorial Trust’s Annual Service of Remembrance is an essential date in the calendar for all members of the policing family.

“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.

“I am hugely grateful to Christine Fulton MBE for her commitment and work to drive the memorial and preserve this moment for us to come together, pause to reflect on colleagues who are gone but remembered and pay thanks to police officers and their families.”

Christine Fulton MBE, co-founder of the Scottish Police Memorial Trust, whose husband PC Lewis Fulton was killed on duty in Glasgow in 1994, added: “The annual service of remembrance is an important and poignant event, for the loved ones of the officers we honour, and for the police family as a whole.

“By adding the names of officers who have passed to our roll of honour and memorial stones, we are helping to ensure they will be remembered, and respected, for generations to come.”​

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “I recognise the bravery and commitment of our police officers and staff who work tirelessly to keep Scotland’s communities safe. I am deeply grateful for their service.

 “It is important to remember those who have lost their lives whilst serving their communities. I pay tribute to them and send condolences to their families - their courage and dedication to policing will not be forgotten.”

Since the first service in 2004, the memorial stones have been engraved with the names of 350 officers from Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and their antecedent forces dating back to 1812 and they represent a fitting tribute to the price police officers, and their families pay to keep the people of Scotland safe from harm.

This year’s additions to the wall represented former police services in Edinburgh, Roxburghshire, North British Railway Police and the Admiralty Constabulary.

Those included this year are:

PC James DORAN (33) Edinburgh City Police 30/08/1868

‘Night Policeman’ - Fell down the stairs leading to his home and died from a head injury.

PC Murdoch YOUNG (30) North British Railway Police 30/07/1885

Died after amputation due to a ‘railway crash’ near Tay Bridge Station.

*On the National Roll. Listed on BTP History Group

Detective Officer James FORBES (59) North British Railway Police 31/10/1894

Died after he collapsed while on duty late night at Tay Bridge Station.

Listed on BTP History Group

PC John McDONALD (54) - Edinburgh City Police 24/04/1909

Died after he reported for duty and was taken to hospital.

*On the National Roll.

PC Thomas HUTCHISON (39) Roxburghshire Constabulary 14/04/1944

Died after his motorcycle was struck by a military lorry whilst on duty. 

PC Stanley BAKER (45) Admiralty Constabulary - 26/07/1959

Collapsed and died on duty at the Greenock Royal Naval Torpedo Experimental Establishment.

At the ceremony Chief Constable Jo Farrell was joined by Angela Constance Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, David Garbutt QPM from the Scottish Police Memorial Trust, Fiona McQueen CBE Chair of the SPA and Chief Superintendent Lorna McEwan from the British Transport Police to lay wreaths at the memorial stones.

A special thanks is also extended to the Scottish Police & Community Choir for their performance, supporting this years service. 

Photo courtesy of Al Goold photography

Photography courtesy of Al Goold photography