Northern Ireland

RUC officer Michael Ferguson, murdered by IRA in 1993, remembered at police memorial service

Thousands of police officers who have died or been killed in the line of duty have been honoured
Thousands of police officers who have died or been killed in the line of duty have been honoured Thousands of police officers who have died or been killed in the line of duty have been honoured

ABOUT 2,000 people have gathered to honour the memory of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Relatives and colleagues joined dignitaries, including Home Secretary Sajid Javid, in Belfast on Sunday to take part in the 15th annual National Memorial Day event commemorating those who have served across the UK.

Candles were lit by relatives and the names of officers, who died in the last 12 months, were read aloud during the service at Waterfront Hall.

A guard of honour made up of representatives from forces throughout the UK and overseas welcomed people on arrival.

More than 4,400 officers have died since modern policing began across the UK.

Among those specifically remembered was 21-year-old Constable Michael John Ferguson who was shot dead by the IRA outside the Richmond Shopping Centre in Derry in 1993.

His brother and sister Joseph and Susan Ferguson lit a candle for him.

Pearl Marshall, the mother of RUC constable Michael Frederick Leslie Marshall, who was murdered in 1989 by the IRA, read a prayer.

Mr Javid told the congregation: "The National Police Memorial Service is an important and poignant reminder of the courage shown by the police each and every day."

A wreath was laid to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and in memory of police officers who lost their lives fighting in the war.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "It is important and indeed only right that we take time to pause to remember our colleagues and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives on duty protecting their communities."

Speaking ahead of the event, Joseph Ferguson said his brother "loved every part" of being a police officer.

"My father, Dan, had been an officer and he wanted to follow in his footsteps," he told the BBC.

Also a former police officer, Mr Ferguson recalled being on duty on the day his brother was killed and being told the news.

"I honestly had a gut feeling that something was wrong...the person on the other end did not want to lie to me and so they told me over the phone.

"In the early days, on anniversaries and birthdays, my mother would go to Shipquay Street. I am aware that flowers that were left there on one occasion were ripped up and that put me off."

Mr Ferguson said he felt "let down in a number of way in regards to the investigation" by police as the years went on.

Only one person, Christopher O'Kane from Derry, has been convicted in connection with the murder of the Catholic officer, who was originally from Omagh.