The streets of York were lined with solemn faces and fluttering flags, as a community gathered to honor a police officer whose bravery and kindness left an indelible mark.
A chief constable told over 800 mourners that fallen officer Rosie Prior’s “memory, contribution and sacrifice are never ever forgotten” after she died after stopping to help at a road crash.
York Minster was packed to the rafters for the full ceremonial funeral of the police constable Rosie, who died along with a man last month near Thirsk, North Yorks.
The 45-year-old cortege was led by a piper and four police horses through the streets of York, which were lined by colleagues and flag-bearers from every force.
In his eulogy, North Yorkshire Chief Constable Tim Forber said Pc Prior “lived by her values, and absolutely delivered the positive impact she desired on the communities she served”.
Mr Forber said: “Like police officers the length and breadth of this country do every day, she placed the safety of the public before her own safety.
“In doing so, she acted in the finest traditions of the British police service.”
The chief constable said: “I address my final words to Rosie. We will continue to protect the communities we serve, and we will do so in your honour, and the honour of those that have fallen before you.
“We will also ensure that your memory, your contribution and your sacrifice are never ever forgotten.”
Mr Forber told the congregation that Pc Prior was the 10th North Yorkshire officer to die in the line of duty since the force was formed in 1974.
During a two-year career she had responded to 800 incidents covering a breadth of emergencies.
The chief added: “These examples are typical of Rosie’s caring nature in action and show that being a police officer was so much more than just a job to her.
“Her kindness and her desire to help people extended way beyond the end of any shift.
“Put simply, it was her nature.”
The Reverend Canon Timothy Goode had earlier welcomed the congregation, by saying Pc Prior’s: “kindness, courage and unwavering commitment to helping others affected the lives of so many.”
He said: “It should come as no surprise to us, but I’m sure it would have come as a surprise to Rosie, that this magnificent cathedral is full – packed full of people whose lives she touched and packed full of love for the person that Rosie was – courageous, fun, compassionate.
Pc Prior’s father, John Kinghorn, told those gathered in the Minster: “We’ve been best friends for 45 years and always will be.”
Mr Kinghorn said his daughter “discovered her true vocation” when she joined the police in middle age.
Earlier, Pc Prior’s husband Chris said in a statement: “The amount of support we have received from family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and Rosie’s work colleagues proves that even in the darkest of times, the world does have amazing people in it.”
The officer died last month whilst off duty when she stopped to assist a road collision on the A19 at Bagby, North Yorkshire.
She was standing on the verge when she and two others were struck by a lorry.
The officer and Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, who had been involved in the first collision, died at the scene.
A teenage boy, who was a passenger in Mr Welford’s car, was seriously injured.
The driver of the lorry, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.
The family invited guests and members of the public to donate to the Police Children’s Charity, which provides support to police families through adversity and was a charity Pc Prior supported.
Donations can be made at
Mr Kinghorn said his daughter “discovered her true vocation” when she joined the police in middle age.
Earlier, Pc Prior’s husband Chris said in a statement: “The amount of support we have received from family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and Rosie’s work colleagues proves that even in the darkest of times, the world does have amazing people in it.”
The officer died last month whilst off duty when she stopped to assist a road collision on the A19 at Bagby, North Yorkshire.
She was standing on the verge when she and two others were struck by a lorry.
The officer and Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, who had been involved in the first collision, died at the scene.
A teenage boy, who was a passenger in Mr Welford’s car, was seriously injured.
The driver of the lorry, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.
The family invited guests and members of the public to donate to the Police Children’s Charity, which provides support to police families through adversity and was a charity Pc Prior supported.
Donations can be made at Here
