Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has backed a national campaign to create a new award in honour of emergency services workers killed in the line of duty.
The campaign is being led by Greater Manchester Mayor and PCC Andy Burnham and Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was murdered alongside colleague PC Fiona Bone 10 years ago while attending an emergency call in Tameside.
Mr Burnham has written to the Home Office asking for the launch of the ‘Elizabeth Medal’ - a posthumous award similar to the Elizabeth Cross for those killed in the armed forces - to recognise the sacrifice of police officers and other emergency services personnel who lose their lives while serving the public.
The letter has been signed by police and crime commissioners across England and Wales and campaigners say it will be a fitting way to mark the anniversary of the deaths of the two police officers.
Mr Matthews said: “We remain indebted to the police officers and emergency services workers who put themselves in danger every day to keep us safe. Tragically, some pay the ultimate sacrifice and it is only right and proper that we remember their selflessness with the dignity and praise they deserve.
“It would be especially poignant for such a medal to bear the name of our late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II - a woman who devoted her own life to the service of a nation in such extraordinary way.”
