There are 67 recipients of the Emblems this year of which 39 are Northern Ireland police officers. Included in that number are:

• 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,
• And 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.

Northern Ireland Secretary, 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.”

Also honoured this year are Jo Cox MP, who was murdered by a far-right extremist on 16 June 2016 on her way to a constituency surgery to meet with local residents of Batley and Spen, and Sir David Amess MP, who was fatally stabbed on 15 October 2021 while conducting a regular constituency surgery in his constituency of Southend West.

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 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.