7:20AM, Mon Oct 1, 2012

PC Rathband Remembered At Ceremony For Fallen Police Officers

By Hugh Macknight Location: York

Raoul Moat's final victim PC David Rathband was remembered at a special ceremony for fallen police officers.

Home Secretary Theresa May joined hundreds of police to remember officers who have died on duty, including the two Pcs killed two weeks ago in Manchester.

Dozens of chief constables packed into York Minster, together with colleagues of all ranks and the families of officers who have died, for a service to mark National Police Memorial Day.

Mrs May read a prayer during the service as did Emma Barker - the young daughter of PC Bill Barker who died when a bridge was washed away during floods in Workington, Cumbria, in 2009.

Shortly before, the names of all officers who had given their lives in the last year were read out, including that of PC Rathband, who took his own life after he was blinded by Moat.

The chief constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, said the recent deaths of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in the Mottram area of his force made the day even more poignant.

Pc David Rathband at the London Marathon

He said: "It does give it a special poignancy because it's close after the deaths of Fiona and Nicola but the important thing today really is remembering all the officers who have given their lives during the year.

"I cannot tell you how much we have been uplifted by the public response, it has been quite extraordinary. It really does show the level of support for ordinary officers going about their day to day business.

"We try to remember all of those officers and also tell their families that the sacrifice of a loved one is not forgotten and that is a really important part of the service today."

One of the most moving parts of the ceremony was when petals were dropped from the cathedral's triforium as the orchestra played Abide With Me and The Last Post was played by a trumpeter.

The address was given by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who described fallen police officers as "the bravest of the brave".