Officers killed in line of duty honoured at charity cycle ride

Police officers killed in the line of duty are being remembered during a special charity cycle ride this weekend.

The Police Unity Tour is an annual long-distance ride that sees hundreds of police officers, staff, and their families converge on the UK Police Memorial at the National Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to remember their fallen colleagues.

The ride also raises vital funds for the Care of Police Survivors (Care Of Police Survivors (COPS) – a charity which supports families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

Taking part from Durham are the force’s Casualty Reduction Coordinator and retired police sergeant, Pete Tate, and retired PC Nick Prest.

This year, Pete is cycling in memory of PC William Shiell while Nick is riding for PC Keith Maddison.

They will also be joined by Phil Stephenson, from Durham Police Federation and retired inspector, Lee Morris, who will be providing support to the riders throughout their journey.

Phil is taking part in honour of PC Glenn Corder, while Lee will be honouring PC Jonathan Green.

The team will have Motorcycle Section support with Sergeant Sam Oliver riding in memory of DC James Porter and PC Phil Skevington remembering Sergeant Stephen Armstrong.

The riders begin their journey today from Cleveland Police Headquarters, in Middlesbrough.

From there, they will head down to Humberside where they will join other riders from the North East Chapter before making the onward journey to Staffordshire over the next three days.

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon will greet the team at the finish line on Sunday where they will be joined by hundreds of other officers and their families for a special service to commemorate all officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

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

If you wish to donate, you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ukput2026?msockid=027ee5fa64c560da05eaf69060c56b33