Dedication of the Thames Valley Police Garden

A ceremony was held on Saturday (18/9) to formally dedicate the Thames Valley Police (TVP) Memorial Garden.

The ceremony was held for families, friends and supporters of the TVP family at the TVP Memorial Garden in Sulhamstead.

Hosted by Chief Constable John Campbell, the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber, His Honour Judge Sheridan and TVP’s Force Chaplain, attendees were invited to explore the garden and visit the force museum.

The memorial garden is jointly funded by TVP, the Police Federation and Unison and maintained and developed by volunteers who also restore individual memorials.

Representatives of families, serving and retired officers, new recruits, staff and volunteers read a poem, prayer and a reading, with flowers laid and a candle lit as acts of remembrance during the ceremony.

The dedication ceremony was held in line with National Police Memorial Day, which is on Sunday (26/9). The day honours police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving their communities.

A service to honour police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving their communities will be held at Lincoln Cathedral.

Chief Constable John Campbell said: “The Memorial Garden offers families, friends and past and present staff, a place where they can remember and honour those who we have sadly lost whilst serving on behalf of Thames Valley Police.

“My thanks go to the Police Federation and Unison for the support they have shown in bringing the memorial to fruition and the work of our volunteers who have made the Memorial Garden such a welcoming place for the wider police family to sit, share memories and reflect.

“I hope the Memorial Garden can help to provide some comfort to family and friends that their loved ones will never be forgotten and they will always be a part of Thames Valley Police.”

Chairman of the Thames Valley Police Federation, PC Craig O’Leary, said: “TVP Federation are proud to have been able to support the creation of the wonderful Memorial Garden at Sulhamstead. This project has demonstrated what can be achieved when the force and its staff associations work together.

“This memorial is a fitting tribute to our colleagues that have paid the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving the public of Thames Valley.

“The memorial will also serve as a poignant reminder to our new recruits who embark on their careers here in the Thames Valley and the debt of gratitude we owe those whose names appear on the memorial. I am delighted that so many of the families of our fallen officers were able to join us for its opening.”

Head of Unison branch, Ken Cooney, said: “UNISON wholeheartedly support this memorial garden, Thames Valley Police is a family made up of police officers and police staff and this memorial garden allows us to pay our respects to those who have fallen in the line of duty."

The live stream of the service for National Police Memorial Day can be found on their website.