- 67 recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem have been named this month.
- The Emblem is awarded to the next of kin of those who have died in the line of duty.
- It recognises everyday heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, from police officers, to council workers, firefighters and Members of Parliament.
The families of 67 firefighters, police officers, Members of Parliament and other public servants who lost their life as a result of their public service have been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem this year.
First established in 2024, the Elizabeth Emblem is a mark of recognition to public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty. This is the fourth list to be published, with the next of kin awarded this national form of recognition.
The Elizabeth Emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
The First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, met with some of the recipient families today in Number 10.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
Behind every one of these 67 names is a family who got the worst news and have carried it every day since.
This Emblem makes clear, and puts on the record, that we recognise what these families gave and that we will never let it be forgotten.
First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, said:
It was an honour to meet with the families of some of the Elizabeth Emblem recipients today and recognise public servants whose commitment and passion helped to make our country a better place.
Their loved ones dedicated themselves to public service. In awarding the Emblem, we recognise both the enormous contribution and sacrifice that each of them made.
Among those honoured today are:
- Helen Joanne (Jo) Cox MP. Jo Cox served as Member of Parliament for her constituency of Batley and Spen. On 16 June 2016, on her way to a constituency surgery to meet with local residents of Batley and Spen, Jo was murdered by a far-right extremist.
- PC John Egerton. On 11 March 1982, while responding to an incident, PC John Egerton came into contact with an individual who was stealing petrol from business vehicles. During this incident, PC Egerton was stabbed multiple times and subsequently died from his injuries.
- David Amess MP. Sir David Amess MP served as a Member of Parliament for his constituency of Southend West. On 15 October 2021, he had begun conducting a regular constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall in Leigh-on-Sea when he was fatally stabbed by an individual who was waiting in the building.
- Ff Jennifer Logan and Ff Martyn Lewis Sadler. The Oxfordshire County Fire and Rescue service were called out to a fire at Bicester Motion Heritage Centre on the old RAF Bicester Airfield on May 15 th, 2025. Bicester Motion Heritage Centre is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF Bicester. The initial call stated that one of the G1 listed hangars was on fire, which rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was declared. Whilst trying to open the hangar doors, the door came away from the main structure and fell outwards, crushing Jennifer, Martyn and 3 other people.
39 people on the list were police officers based in Northern Ireland. They include:
- Const Mervyn Basil Robinson, who died in 1981 whilst serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Whilst off duty, he was shot as he sat in his car by the IRA outside the Wayside Inn, public house.
- Officer Patrick Thomas Kerr, who died in 1985 whilst serving in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. He was shot dead by the Provisional IRA while leaving St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, with his two youngest children.
- Reserve Constable Samuel Cyril Stewart, who died in 1998 while serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He was shot by two members of the Irish National Liberation Army whilst in a car park adjacent to a supermarket in Dublin Street, Armagh with his wife.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Chris Bryant, said:
In awarding these Elizabeth Emblems, we honour 39 public servants whose courage and sacrifice helped protect communities across Northern Ireland.
They served with extraordinary bravery, not only during some of the darkest days of the Troubles, but throughout their careers in the line of duty – standing in service to others and helping to uphold the peace we cherish today.
This honour is a lasting expression of our gratitude and I hope it brings pride and comfort to the families who carry the memories of those who served the public with such dedication.
The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’, and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased.
Families and next of kin of those who have died in public service are encouraged to apply for an Elizabeth Emblem via gov.uk.
ENDS
About the Elizabeth Emblem
- The Elizabeth Emblem is awarded to the next of kin of a person who was employed in a role based on the source of a commission on behalf of, or formally funded by, an eligibility body.
- An eligible body is defined as the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, local government, a Crown Dependency or a British Overseas Territory.
- The award of The Elizabeth Emblem is retrospective to 1948 and mirrors the eligibility criteria for the Elizabeth Cross.
- The next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem. Applications will be made to the Cabinet Office.
- Full details on the award, how to apply and who will be eligible are available on GOV.UK.
