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Lawride
&
C.O.P.S
Survivors Weekend
Neil Hallam
, Editor
The Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club’s Lawride is held to
complement the UK COPS charity, in supporting the family of those who
lost their lives on duty.
O
n Sunday morning
approximately 200
Blue Knights from around the UK, met
to ride into the National Memorial
Arboretum. Here, we were led in by cyclists on
the Police Unity Ride, who had ridden 180 miles
together from London’s National Police Memorial.
Entering the Arboretum on my motorcycle, I felt
humbled to be applauded by lines of; Cadets,
senior officers and the surviving families and
friends.
Blue Knights International President DJ Alverez
attended the event from Texas. He said “I was
honoured to present the wreath today for the Blue
Knights during the UK COPS Annual Service of
Remembrance. Afterwards the wreath was placed
at the Blue Knights memorial tree there.
Listening to the survivors speak literally brought
tears to my eyes and I wasn’t prepared for that.
I’ve done many things as International President
and this probably tops the list and I was truly
honoured to be a part of the ceremony. Thank you
Christine Fulton for the work you do for UK COPS
and representing the Blue Knights as one of our
most active International Honorary Members.”
The service of remembrance was, as always,
a very moving event. Diane Whylie sang two
beautifully appropriate songs. The Shirley Pipe
Band accompanied the formalities. Nathan Dent,
DC Emma Carter, Libby Chisholm, Emma Duncan
and David Taylor spoke on behalf of the surviving
families.
President Mick Luke laid a wreath at the
commencement of “The Beat” which is a Police
memorial avenue of London plane trees and some
Horse Chestnuts, funded by every Police Service in
the UK, with a tree and plaque for each Service.
The Service was also attended by dozens of
officers who had taken part in the 2016 UK
Police Unity Tour, a huge fundraising cycling event
and by a large contingent of Blue Knights from
chapters all over the UK and Ireland.
Above all, our thoughts go out to the officers
who reached their End of Watch since last year’s
event: David Philips (Merseyside),
Sahib Lalli (Metropolitan) and Douglas Wiggins
(Scotland)
DJ Alverez Blue Knight President
Mick Luke laying the wreath
Fred, Mick, Pete, Yvonne, Sean
and Brian Kennedy
LAWRIDE unity tour
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POLICE WORLD
Vol 61 No. 4, 2016
Article