As the family of Westminster hero Pc Keith Palmer paid their tribute to him, the sister of the last Suffolk officer to die in the line of duty gave an insight into their long road ahead.
Pc Cheryl Lloyd was the most recent of 28 officers who have died while serving the county since the constabulary was formed in the 1800s.
The 42-year-old was killed in a crash in West End Road, Ipswich, while responding to a 999 call in 2005.
Her colleague that day was also seriously injured.
Ms Lloyd’s sister Sue Brace, of Felixstowe, became involved with COPS (Care of Police Survivors), a charity which helps the families of officers who die in the line of duty, and was its President for a time.
Mrs Brace received an MBE in 2011 for her work with the organisation.
Speaking after 48-year-old Pc Palmer’s death she gave an insight into what it is like to lose a loved one while they were protecting the public.
Mrs Brace said: “I just feel like everybody else. I feel for the officer and his family and everybody else who was involved.
“I feel sorry for his family because I know the events that are going to unfold over the next days, weeks and months.
“That journey of grief they are going to go through is a lonely, awful journey. For families of officers who have died on duty this will bring back their loss.
“Police are doing their duty and you don’t expect them not to come home.
“The families of the other people who died also expected them to come home.
“I think it is terrible people lost their lives.”
Memorials to Pc Lloyd and also to another officer, Detective Constable Clive Barratt, are located at the entrance to Martlesham police headquarters to serve as reminder of their sacrifice.
Det Con Barratt was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident while on surveillance duty at Lowestoft in July 1999. He was 35 years old.
The family of Pc Palmer released a tribute today.
They have described him as a “wonderful dad and husband, a loving son, brother and uncle”, adding that he was “dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous”.
They said: “He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.”
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