POLICE_WORLD_4_2016

Article

LAWRIDE unity tour

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 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.”

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.

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)

Mick Luke laying the wreath

Fred, Mick, Pete, Yvonne, Sean and Brian Kennedy

DJ Alverez Blue Knight President

POLICE WORLD Vol 61 No. 4, 2016

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