The dad of murdered police officer Nicola Hughes has paid tribute to all the brave officers who tragically lost their lives on duty. It was earlier this month, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News , that he remembered the torment of losing his daughter, a decade on from her death.
Bryn Hughes, whose daughter Nicola, from Saddleworth, an officer with Greater Manchester Police was murdered in 2012, joined members of the police family for National Police Memorial Day in Belfast earlier this week (September 25). Constable Nicola Hughes, 23, and colleague Fiona Bone, 32, were killed in an ambush by fugitive gunman Dale Cregan in September 2012.
And earlier this month, uniformed police officers and local leaders stood side by side with family and friends of the two Manchester PCs at a memorial service to marking the 10th anniversary of their tragic deaths. Along with the officers' families and former colleagues, Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham was in attendance, as well and Ashton-under-Lyne MP and Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner.
READ MORE The bravest of cops, a cowardly killer - the awful truth about Dale Cregan, ten years on
Nicola's dad Bryn spoke at the National Police Memorial Day to remember his daughter, saying her death is still 'raw' but that it was comforting to meet other survivors. He added that officers make a 'sacrifice' by 'putting their lives on the line, not knowing if they're going to come home' as he remembered all those who died doing the job they loved.
According to the GMP Federation, dad Bryn said: “I’m here to represent my daughter. It’s strange being here, ten years on. I went to the first memorial day and I hadn’t even had the funeral for Nicola then.
"So it’s raw, but it means so much to be here with so many people who are representing, not only police forces or the organisation, but the families as well. You soak up that positive energy from people and it’s a good thing that it’s one, big police family.
"We cannot forget the sacrifice that they made as police officers, going out every single day, putting their lives on the line, not knowing if they’re going to come home. I suppose they don’t think about that because I don’t think they’d do the job if you thought about that. So it’s vitally important that we, not just as close family members, but as a policing family, never forget that.
“We don’t have to introduce ourselves. We don’t have to tell each other the story. We all know and we all get each other, and that is a good thing. We know what we’re all here for. We know what we’re about. It is one big family and we are healing together I suppose.”
Chair of the GMP Federation Lee Broadbent also attended the National Police Memorial Day in Belfast along with a number of family members from Greater Manchester. Lee said: “It’s the first time I’ve had the privilege of attending the National Police Memorial Day ceremony, as your representative, to convey our respect to colleagues who have died in service of the communities we police.
“The run-up and preparation for this year’s event has been incredibly emotional and at times difficult for me. 11 March marked 40 years since the murder of PC John Egerton and only last Sunday, I attended the ceremony at Hyde police station to pay personal respects to Nicola and Fiona, colleagues I worked with, who were taken from us 10 years ago.
“In dusting down my tunic for the event I found the invitations to their funerals in my jacket pocket and was instantly pulled back to the pain and anger I felt all those years ago. As you would expect, Greater Manchester Police Federation have a strong connection with the families of our fallen colleagues and this year, like the ones before, we extended our invitation and hospitality so they too could join us in Belfast to honour the memory of their loved ones.
“Over the two days I spent with our families I came to understand why as I was moved by their dignity, resilience, collective strength and equally by the compassion and care they showed me as I come to terms with my own grief. It’s been an honour to share what is their day and pay respects to a truly wonderful group of people, who have given and lost so much and who we look forward to continually supporting.”
Earlier this month, dad Bryn reflected on the day he received the news that changed his life forever. His daughter was cruelly snatched from him in a merciless killing, prompting him to kickstart The Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund in 2014, which has since helped more than 50 families left devastated by murder. Read the interview here.
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