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Special Service Held For Metropolitan Police Officers Who Have Sadly Passed Away.

4th November 20254th November 2025 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments London News, Met Police, Police min read

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A support group has been created to honour and remember Metropolitan Police officers who have sadly passed away.

The group has been founded by Tammy, who tragically lost her husband — a serving officer — in 2016. Since his passing, Tammy has worked tirelessly to support the families and loved ones of those who served within the Met and have since lost their lives.

Tammy shares her journey below.

My late husband was a police officer for 13 and a half years and a level 1 advanced driver on a response team, something he was incredibly proud of, and I was too. Sadly, he passed away from bowel cancer on 1^stOctober 2016, leaving behind our two children, who were just 2 and 4 and a half at the time. Even while bravely battling cancer, he studied and passed his sergeants exam.

I created a Facebook group in October 2020 called The Metropolitan Police Widows & Widowers Support Group UK, to support widows, widowers and partners of Metropolitan Police officers who have passed away whether on duty, through illness, accident, or other causes. More recently we have updated our description to make it clear that the group welcomes all spouses and partners, regardless or gender, orientation, or background. The group provides a safe space to share experiences, offer support, and connect with people who truly understand. We hold Zoom calls, as well as lunch and dinner meet ups, so members can connect, support each other, and form genuine friendships. In helping others, I’ve found comfort and purpose myself.

On Sunday 19^th October, we celebrated the groups 5^thAnniversary. We started the day with an anniversary mass at St Albans RC Church in Elm Park, celebrated by Canon Maurice. It was especially moving when the names of Police Officers who are no longer with us, husbands, wives, partners, and fathers were read out. One member attended with her daughter and read half of the list of names and another member read out the other half. My two children, son aged 11 and daughter 13, joined me and took part in the offertory during the mass. Another member, who attends that church, wore her husbands long service medal and read out the bidding prayers. A couple of other widows were also there, although many of our members couldn’t make it as it was too far for them to travel.

At the mass, we widows wore a blue pin ribbon, one side reading “Forever in our hearts” and the other showing our group name “The Metropolitan Police Widows & Widowers Support Group UK” and “5^thanniversary.” After we met for lunch at King William IV pub in Chigwell and more members joined us, they also had a ribbon pin to wear. Before we sat down for lunch, a Newham Police Officer who had worked with my husband on Response Team before he passed away popped in. It was lovely to see him, and he joined us for the group photo, a special moment that added even more meaning to the day.

We were also joined by a few extra guests, and I’d like to say a big thank you to them all, as they were a huge help on the day.

At the lunch, we held a raffle to raise funds for The Metropolitan & City Police Orphan Fund. Leading up to the event, a few businesses generously donated prizes, and a few of our members kindly donated flower arrangements and bottles of drink. I’d like to say a big thank you to Helen at Le Moulin Patisserie in Hornchurch, who donated a gift certificate for two, for crepes or cakes and coffee, Queens Theatre, Hornchurch, who donated Jack & The BeanstalkPantomime tickets, Starbucks, The Liberty, who donated three bags of coffee beans, Boots, The Liberty, who donated a Dior gift box and Photo Creative UK, who kindly donated a gift voucher . We raised £255 from the raffle, and included with the GoFundMe fundraising page I set up, we have raised a total of £730 so far.

I’d like to thank my admin team who joined us for the anniversary lunch and have been a great support to the group.

I am still trying to raise more, and I am planning a fundraiser with my friend who has very kindly said she will help. She runs a toddler group at St Albans RC church hall in Elm Park, we are hoping it will take place this month.