Memorial stone honouring murdered police officers to be unveiled in Tameside

Updated

A memorial stone will be unveiled today in honour of two Greater Manchester Police Constables who were murdered in a gun and grenade attack.

Pc Fiona Bone, 32, and Pc Nicola Hughes, 23, were killed by wanted one-eyed gangster Dale Cregan who lured them to their deaths on September 18 2012, following a bogus 999 burglary call to a house in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

Cregan had been on the run and was wanted for killing David Short, 46, and gunning down his son, Mark Short, 23, in Droylsden.

He is currently serving life behind bars after being jailed for life for the four murders.

Today's ceremony will mark the Police Memorial Trust's 39th national memorial stone to be unveiled and will be announced by the wife of the late Michael Winner who founded the Trust.

The private event will take place at The Hub in Mottram, Tameside, and will be attended by GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, the families of both officers, their police colleagues and other dignitaries.

Pc Bone and Pc Hughes will be the 46th and 47th officers killed in the course of their hazardous duty that have been honoured by the Police Memorial Trust since its formation in 1984.

This is the fifth Police Memorial Trust memorial stone to be placed in the Greater Manchester area.

Geraldine Winner who took on chairmanship of the Trust after her husband's death said: "I am proud to continue in the very worthwhile work Michael started. It is a sad reality that there will always be the need for such memorials to our courageous police men and women. The Trust will never let their sacrifice be forgotten."

Chief Constable Hopkins said that the two officers "will never be forgotten" adding that the memorial would act as a reminder of their sacrifice.

He said: "I would like to thank the Police Memorial Trust for honouring Fiona and Nicola with this memorial. I know that these two brave officers will never be forgotten, but this memorial will act as a permanent reminder of the enormous sacrifice they made.

"I hope it will be a place where people can pay their respects, but also remember the love, happiness and care they gave to those fortunate enough to have been touched by their all too short lives."

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