Essex Police Memorial Trust
Essex Police Memorial Trust commemorates officers who have been
killed on duty while serving in Essex Police and its predecessor
forces or who lost their lives during the First and Second World
Wars.
New Essex Police Federation chairman Mark Smith says: “As a police
family we must never forget the ultimate sacrifice that these
officers have made in the execution of their duty.
“They did not die in vain and their selfless devotion to duty is
an example to us all. They will be remembered in our memories.”
Every Remembrance Day at Essex Police Headquarters in
Chelmsford, police officers and staff are invited to mark the
traditional two minutes’ silence at a Memorial Stone, which was
dedicated on October 7, 1992 – the same day a Roll of Honour was
unveiled.
Essex Police Memorial Trust was established the following
year and registered as a charity. It undertakes the general
maintenance and upkeep of police-related memorials around the
county, which identify some of the locations where officers fell
while executing their duty.
Trustee and Former Assistant Chief Constable of Essex
Police, Geoffrey Markham, says: "The idea for the trust
goes back to 1984 when Bill Bishop was tragically shot in
an operation in Frinton. A detective came out of the funeral and
realised that we didn't have any way to commemorate the fallen.
From that grew the Essex Police Memorial Trust."
The trust also continues research to ensure that all those Essex
police officers – as well as a cadet, a War Reserve police
constable and a Special Corporal – who paid the ultimate price are
not forgotten.
It is also responsible for the Book of Remembrance, unveiled in
November 1997, which is kept in a glass cabinet in Essex Police HQ
Reception.
Trustee Fred Feather says: "The Book of Remembrance has a page
describing the death of each officer who has died in these
circumstances and is one of the most significant things in a police
force anywhere.
"We are trying to bring the history of the force alive. If you
don't have any history and you don't have any memories, then what
are you?"
To make a donation towards the work of Essex Police Memorial
Trust, please send a cheque, made payable to Essex Police
Memorial Trust, to: The Treasurer, Essex Police Memorial Trust,
Essex Police HQ, PO Box 2, Springfield, Chelmsford CM2 6DA
