Video: Families moved by ceremony for police memorial
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A memorial garden to commemorate police officers and staff who died in the line of duty was officially opened yesterday.
More than 150 people gathered at Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters in Huntingdon for a “poignant” opening ceremony.
The garden, which is designed in the shape of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary crest, includes plaques containing the names of 190 staff who have died since 1800.
Its centrepiece is formed by a restored police box, which was used in St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, until the early 1980s.
Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly, opened the memorial by laying a wreath in front of the box before secretary of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, Tony Laud, put down a police helmet.
Families and friends of deceased police staff were then given a tour of the memorial.
Project leader Insp Fran Jones said: “The rain held off and everyone was really pleased with how the event went.
“It was an extremely moving and poignant morning, with more than 20 families representing police officers who have died in service attending.
“What you soon realise is that the police community is very close and this made it even more moving.
“The occasion just goes to show that even in troubled times, police officers are committed to providing a 24 hours a day service.”
Attendees included Michael Salmon and Dawn Canhan, whose father, special constable John Salmon, 46, died of a heart attack just after finishing work in Ely in 1961.
Mr Salmon, of Impington, said: “I found the morning incredibly touching and at one point I had to hold back the tears.
“My father would have been very pleased to know his death was being honoured with others alongside him who worked for the police.
“He joined the force from the Army in order to serve the community and would have been happy to see this day.”
The project cost just over £25,000, with the Police Federation contributing £15,000. The police authority and Cambridgeshire Constabulary gave £2,000 each while the remainder came from individual donations.