TODAY is National Police Memorial Day, where the public is asked to take a moment to remember the selfless police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

The reality of ongoing danger to officers in the line of duty was shown just days ago when Met Office sergeant Matt Ratana was shot dead by a suspect in a custody centre in London.

Bradford has had more than its fair share of tragedy over the years, and here we will remember the brave, heroic officers who were killed in the line of duty while protecting the people of our city from dangerous criminals.

PC Conal Hills

PC Hills was killed in November 2006 when he was involved in a road traffic collision in Bayton Lane, Yeadon, while following a speeding car.

The 36-year-old officer left behind a fiancée and two children, and was described as an "amazing father" and a "wonderful man". He had been a serving officer for just three years when he died. No one has ever been charged for the driving offence which led to his death.

PC Sharon Beshenivsky

PC Beshenivsky was shot and killed while attending an armed robbery in Bradford city centre in November 2005, just nine months into her policing career, and tragically on her youngest daughter's birthday.

Her killing rocked the entire population of Bradford and resonated around the country.

Three men were found guilty of the 38-year-old's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years, another two were jailed for manslaughter. Another man was arrested in Pakistan in connection with the incident at the start of 2020.

PC Beshenivsky is survived by her husband Paul, her three children and two step-children.

Sergeant Michael Hawcroft

In March 1981, Sgt Hawcroft, aged 31, was fatally stabbed after he spotted two youths trying to steal a car in Low Moor.

In April 1983 Sgt Hawcroft was posthumously awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, and a memorial stone in his honour is located in Norfolk Gardens in the city centre.

He was murdered while trying to arrest one of the youths, who was eventually apprehended by his colleague Inspector Newsham, who also suffered a number of stab wounds. John Long, 17, was jailed for life for murdering Sgt Hawcroft.

He was survived by his wife Alison and one son.

Inspector Barry Taylor

Insp Taylor was shot dead with a shotgun by safe blower Neil Adamson in February 1970.

The 31-year-old was attending an incident at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, where Adamson had already murdered nightwatchman Ian Riley He shot Insp Taylor, a ten-year veteran of the force, in the back.

Adamson, from Pudsey, fled to Bradford before going on the run to Colne, where he was eventually arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for the cold-blooded murders.

Detective Sergeant Arthur Smith

DS Smith died aged 42 in February 1962 after being involved in a road traffic collision while on duty.

PC Albert Smith

PC Smith died in January 1907, aged 35, from illness a month after he was assaulted while on duty.

Brian Booth, chair of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "Today is day to remember, reflect and honour the courage and ultimate sacrifice of police officers throughout the UK."