Fallen officers remembered as annual charity cycle ride begins

 

The annual Care Of Police Survivors (COPS) Unity Tour began today, with the force’s Casualty Reduction Coordinator, Pete Tate, and retired Inspector Ed

 

Turner cycling more than 250 miles over four days to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

 

The pair have been joined by colleagues from Northumbria Police and supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales to raise funds for the charity which is dedicated to helping the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.

 

After beginning their ride in Washington, the team briefly stopped at force headquarters where Chief Constable Rachel Bacon and Deputy Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Graham Hall wished them luck before they made their way to the first of two stops to honour two fallen colleagues.

 

The first, PC William Shiell, was just 28 when he was shot dead after chasing two burglars in Coxhoe, in 1940.

 

The team stopped at the site where PC Shiell was shot and held a minute’s silence while they remembered him for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

 

The riders are now making their way on to Thirsk, where they will pay their respects to PC Rosie Prior, who was tragically killed when she stopped to help a broken-down motorist in January this year, more than eight decades after PC Shiell’s murder.

 

Pete and Ed will join hundreds of other riders and CC Bacon at the arboretum on Sunday where a special service will be held to honour all those who have fallen in the line of duty.

 

Ed, who retired last year after serving three decades in the force, has completed the ride several times and said the event was emotional every time as the policing family came together to honour those lost.

 

He said: “It’s a privilege to return and take part in the COPS ride again, representing Durham Constabulary and remembering our colleagues.

 

“It feels special every time we reach the arboretum, as hundreds of officers and families of fallen officers come together to commemorate those who paid the ultimate price for protecting their communities.”

 

Pete added: “I’m privileged to be involved in my fifth ride for the COPS charity which we do to honour the sacrifice of those who have died in the line of duty.

 

“It’s an incredibly humbling and emotional experience with the families, friends and police colleagues from across the UK and we will especially be remembering PCs Shiell and Prior this year.”

 

For more information visit https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/

 

If you wish to donate, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/put2025