These officers gave everything for us, the least we can do is remember them

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In the past five decades, close to 200 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, writes GB News Home and Security Editor

A fundraising page for the families of the two Cleveland police officers killed on duty in the early hours of Saturday morning has now raised more than £350,000.

Understandably, much has been said about the bravery and dedication of 37-year-old PC Matthew Blades and 38-year-old PC Tom Clough.

PC Blades' widow said he was "loved beyond words" and "gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness."

PC Clough's family revealed he hadn't just served the community as a police officer, but had also served his country as a veteran of the Iraq war.

He was their "hero", always willing to jump "into action whenever needed, willing to help anyone for any reason."

But how long before the politicians, the media and the country, so rightly shocked and supportive of those on the Thin Blue Line move on.

We've seen this pattern so many times before, where some will return to the regular drum-beat of criticising those who try to keep the rest of us safe, in often the most difficult of circumstances.

In fact, already, an astonishing policy proposal from the Green Party is advocating the removal of tasers and other personal protective kit from front-line officers.

In the past five decades, close to 200 police officers have been killed in the line of duty.

PC Yvonne Fletcher gunned down outside the Libyan Embassy in London.

Or PC Keith Palmer, stabbed to death by a terrorist while unarmed and guarding the Houses of Parliament in 2017.

And of course PC Andrew Harper who was dragged to his death by three young criminals in the back of a stolen car in Berkshire in 2019. That case so prominent again, as his family fight to prevent the release of two of his killers.

But we want to share with you the names of some other brave officers, perhaps not so well known, but who made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. A name for every one of the past five decades.

In June 1982, Sergeant David Winter was responding to reports of a suspicious man outside a post office in Old Malton, North Yorkshire. That man, already wanted for murdering another officer, David Haigh, shot and killed Sergeant Winter. He was 31.

In December 1991, Detective Constable Jim Morrison had given chase to a handbag snatcher in London's Covent Garden. When he caught the suspect, he was fatally stabbed. Just 26 years old, he was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

Kent police officer Jon Odell was on traffic duty with a radar gun in December 2000 when he died. The 30-year-old constable was struck and dragged to his death by a speeding motorist.

Essex officer PC Ian Dibell was off duty in his home town of Clacton-on-Sea when he saw a gunman in July 2012 shooting at people. He was fatally shot in the chest as he tried to tackle the gunman. He was 40 years old.

And in September 2020, 54-year-old Sergeant Matt Ratana died at a custody centre in London. He'd been processing a suspect when the man produced a hidden handgun, and fatally shot Sergeant Ratana.