Fathers of PCs killed on duty welcome emblem award
Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone (right) campaigned for the introduction of an award for emergency service workers killed in the line of duty
- Published
The fathers of two police officers killed in the line of duty have welcomed the introduction of an award for emergency service workers who died while doing their jobs.
PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were murdered by Dale Cregan in Greater Manchester in 2012.
Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, both based in West Yorkshire, will receive an Elizabeth Emblem on behalf of their daughters, who died in a gun and grenade attack while responding to a 999 call in Hattersley.
Mr Hughes, from Huddersfield, who campaigned for an award for fallen emergency service workers alongside Mr Bone, said it was "vitally important" they were "recognised and remembered".
Mr Bone, from Pool in Wharfedale, said every public sector worker who died in the line of duty "should have the opportunity to be remembered and honoured".
The honour is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK armed forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
Mr Hughes said politicians had told him the recognition was "long overdue", adding "there was an element of surprise that nothing like this existed before".
The fathers met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden on Wednesday over their campaigning work, with Mr Bone saying the meeting was the "icing on the cake" for their efforts.
Mr Bone said Sir Keir told them "he couldn't imagine losing his children".
He added: "We kind of replied: 'Well, we didn't actually imagine losing ours either, but once it's happened, you've got to carry on'."
Mr Bone and Mr Hughes met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden this week
The design of the emblem includes a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, surrounding a Tudor Crown and the inscription "For A Life Given In Service".
Asked how his daughter, who died aged 23, would feel about the award, Mr Hughes said: "I know Nicola would be embarrassed.
"I think she'd be pleased and proud that it had happened for us, but I think she'd be embarrassed about it."
Mr Bone said he would like their daughters to be remembered as "happy, bubbly public servants", adding: "They were doing their job happily, tried to help people - on that day it just went all wrong."
The Elizabeth Emblem includes a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance
Mr Hughes said his daughter, who was 32 when she was killed, "loved the job".
He added: "Police officers put their lives on the line every single day. They don't know what they're going into.
"They don't know what's behind that door and for me that says a lot about what they do every day."
An Elizabeth Emblem will also be awarded to the families of two other officers who died while serving West Yorkshire Police.
They are Sgt Michael Hawcroft, who died in March 1981, and Sgt John Richard Speed, who was shot dead in Leeds city centre in October 1984.
The family of former West Yorkshire firefighter Hylton Brearley will also receive the award. Mr Brearley died in December 1976.
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