First emergency services workers honoured with 'Elizabeth Emblem' for those who die in line of duty

9 November 2024, 13:33

The first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem include two police officers killed in the line of duty
The first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem include two police officers killed in the line of duty. Picture: PA Media/Alamy

By Shannon Cook

The first recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem award aimed at emergency service workers who die in the line of duty has been revealed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The new 'Elizabeth Emblem' award, named after the late Queen Elizabeth, will officially recognise more than 30 police officers, firefighters, and public servants who died in the line of duty.

The first recipients of the award are PC Nicola Hughes, 23, and PC Fiona Bone, 32, who were shot dead in Greater Manchester in 2012 following a bogus 999 call relating to a burglary.

King Charles will award the first few Elizabeth Emblems to the next of kin of the deceased later this year.

Met Police refer themselves to watchdog over handling of sex assault claims against Mohamed Al Fayed

Police launch manhunt after 14-year-old schoolgirl raped by three men in horror 'alleyway' attack

Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, the fathers of murdered PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone
Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, the fathers of murdered PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone. Picture: Alamy

The recognition follows a campaign for state recognition by the late Ms Hughes' father, Bryn Hughes, and the late Ms Bone's father, Paul Bone.

Mr Hughes was motivated to campaign for the award after discovering that there was no official recognition of the efforts of police officers and public service workers who die in the line of duty.

Among the other recipients of the award are the families of PC Andrew Harper, who died while responding to a theft incident in 2019.

Firefighter Leslie Marsh, who died after an accident while attending a fire in Birmingham, will also be honoured, alongside William Wallace - a Glasgow Fire Service firefighter who died in a warehouse fire in 1960.

The Elizabeth Emblem recognises the sacrifice of emergency service staff
The Elizabeth Emblem recognises the sacrifice of emergency service staff. Picture: PA Media
King Charles will award the first few Elizabeth Emblem awards later this year
King Charles will award the first few Elizabeth Emblem awards later this year. Picture: Alamy

William Cruickshank, the son of the late Mr Wallace, told the BBC: "Obviously, it doesn't make up for the fact my dad died in service," but added that he thought it was a "positive" move.

He said that it was "quite hard to live with the fact you didn’t have a dad."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty.

"While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has praised the new award
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has praised the new award. Picture: Alamy

Other eligible recipients of the award include NHS workers who died during the pandemic.

The Elizabeth Emblem is the civilian alternative to the Elizabeth Cross, which is awarded to those in the armed forces who are killed in action or due to an act of terrorism.

The words 'For A Life Given In Service' will be engraved on the Elizabeth Emblem, bordered by the rosemary wreath symbol of remembrance. The Tudor Crown - King Charles' chosen crown when he assumed the throne - sits towards the top of the emblem.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sting, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga are among the stars performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles to help the area recover from recent devastating wildfires.

Lady Gaga and Rod Stewart pay tribute to LA fire victims at star-studded fundraiser concerts

People claiming disability benefits are getting "unacceptably poor service" from the Government as they wait on average 10 times longer for their calls to be answered

‘Unacceptably poor service’ - disability benefit claimants wait 10 times longer for calls to be answered

Online shopping fraud rose quickly to cost consumers more than £56 million last year, marking an increase of 20% in shopping scams.

Online shopping fraud rises 20% costing consumers more than £56 million in one year

Trump is under fire for linking the plane crash to diversity hiring

'Despicable': Trump under fire for linking Washington plane crash to diversity - as he jokes about swimming in river

Trump said on Thursday that the US will start imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico from Saturday, which will likely have a dramatic impact on the economy.

Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico from February 1 with China to follow, setting up trade war

Exclusive
Abadi Ismail witnessed the crash

'Like a war zone': Washington plane crash witness describes scene of horror he saw from his window

Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein kept in touch longer than the duke had previously said

'We'll play some more soon': Prince Andrew's message to Jeffrey Epstein two months after he said contact ended

Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull in the gardens at Mount St Margaret Hospital, Sydney, 27 July 1969

Mick Jagger leads tributes to late ex-girlfriend and Sixties pop icon Marianne Faithfull

Selena Lau (L) and Nuria Sajjad (R), both eight, died in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, in July 2023 while celebrating the last day of the summer term.

Driver bailed after SUV ploughed into Wimbledon primary school tea party and two 8-year-old girls killed

Amy Dowden

Strictly star Amy Dowden suffers 'four to five blackouts a day' as she shares worrying health update

The recovery operation is focused on the Potomac River

Donald Trump pins blame for Washington plane crash that killed 67 people on diversity hires

Marianne Faithfull.

Beloved pop singer and actress Marianne Faithfull dies aged 78

Exclusive
Geoffrey Hinton

'Godfather of AI' warns 'alien superintelligence' could replace humans - and no one knows how to make it safe

Lincolnshire Police

Police force to cut 200 officers amid 14 million budget shortfall

Watts and Samson

Murderer who was out on licence when he killed woman in Croydon handed life sentence

Connor Slade was found dead at a primary school in Wales.

Pictured: 13-year-old boy found dead at primary school named as tributes pour in