Edinburgh police officers remembered at annual service of remembrance
A minute's silence was held to remember officers who lost their lives while serving their communities, including three new names from Edinburgh
Three Edinburgh police officers who died in the line of duty have been remembered at an annual service of remembrance at Police Scotland headquarters .
The names of the officers were among six added to the roll of honour and memorial stones at Tuliallan, where families, friends and colleagues gathered for the 22nd Scottish Police Memorial Trust Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, September, 2.
Police Sergeant George Hone died in 1815 from injuries sustained during the ‘High Street’ riot in Edinburgh.
Sergeant Major Charles Ramage, 39, died in 1837 after collapsing while on duty, while Criminal Officer William Mulholland, 42, died in 1845 after taking ill while travelling from Edinburgh in the course of his duties.
The three officers, who served with former Edinburgh City Police forces, were remembered alongside three other officers from across Scotland.
The other officers added to the memorial were Police Constable Robert May of Aberdeenshire Constabulary, Chief Constable Arthur Johnstone McIntosh of Dunbartonshire Constabulary and Police Constable William Ferguson of Lanarkshire Constabulary.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Constable Jo Farrell, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Reverend Ann Purdie, who delivered the Service of Remembrance.
A minute's silence was held to remember officers who lost their lives while serving their communities.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell also paid tribute to police officers across the UK, following the deaths of two Cleveland Police officers last month.
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.”
She also highlighted the attempted murder of two colleagues in Larkhall in July as a reminder of the dangers officers face to keep others safe.
Justice Secretary Neil 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 Scottish Police Memorial Trust was established in 2003 to honour officers who have died on duty in Scotland and support their families.
Since the first service in 2004, the memorial stones have been engraved with the names of 356 officers from Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and their predecessor forces, dating back to 1812.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial during the ceremony, which was also supported by a performance from the Scottish Police and Community choir.