Tribute unveiled to brave West Midlands police officers

The roll of honour lists 89 West Midlands officers, and those with protection duties before them, who have died since 1822 on duty in Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country.

It goes back to 1822, when Wolverhampton nightwatchman Richard Cooke died after being hit on the head by a stone in a street affray.

Also mentioned are 32 serving officers who died in the Second World War, including 16 in Coventry – eight of whom died during an air raid on the city on November 14 and 15 in 1940.

Sixteen Birmingham officers who died in the war are also commemorated on a memorial officially unveiled in reception at West Midlands Police's Lloyd House HQ, Colmore Circus, Birmingham by Chief Constable Chris Sims and Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones yesterday.

Although there are local tributes the memorial brings names of all together in one place. West Midlands Police Federation chairman Ian Edwards said: "Up until now, there has not been a tribute of this kind to honour and remember all the officers who have given their lives while serving West Midlands Police and its former constituent forces so we have worked closely with the force to put this right. These officers have given their lives while serving their communities, fighting and preventing crime, keeping the peace and protecting the vulnerable."

Det Sgt Steph Bradley spoke on behalf of relatives invited to attend. Her brother, Dc Ryan Hunt, of Cheslyn Hay, based at Thornhill police station, Handsworth, died aged 31 in May 2006 in a crash on a South Yorkshire investigation.

She said: "This memorial will be a fitting and lasting tribute to every one of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice." Officers who died on duty will have names, age and date of death on the board including officers killed on duty, or dying through road or other accidents.