Essex officers who took part in Queen’s funeral procession

Sergeant Jonathan McDonald, who leads a response team in Colchester and is the head of ceremonial policing for the entire force, attended the procession as part of the Civil Services Contingent.

The Contingent included 88 people from across ten different services, from police forces, fire services, the Merchant Navy and St John’s Ambulance.

Sergeant McDonald was one of just 16 policing representatives to join the official Civil Services Contingent.

He said: “Walking behind the gun carriage and being a part of the official procession was a humbling experience.

“It's been an amazing but emotional experience for me and a true honour to represent policing, and Essex Police, for our late Queen.”

• READ MORE: Off-duty firefighter saves woman who 'appeared to be dead' after being hit by bus

Sergeant McDonald has been leading ceremonial drill at Essex Police since 2017 and, along with his team, teaches all new Essex Police students ceremonial marching alongside his busy day job.

He worked in south Essex at the start of his career, before moving on to become an officer with the Roads Policing Unit.

He now leads a policing team shift in Colchester, with his team attending to 999 calls.

PC Rosie Finnis – a response officer working in Chelmsford – was nominated to attend on behalf of the force, and paid her respects alongside the procession route with policing colleagues from forces across the UK.

PC Rosie Finnis. Photo: Essex Police (Image: Essex Police)

Speaking of the day’s events, she said: “As a police officer, you are a servant of the crown and it was a privilege to pay my respects to the reign of Her Majesty the Queen in this way.”

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to represent Essex Police at this pivotal moment in our country’s history.”

PC Finnis has been part of the Essex Police family since 2016, originally joining as a volunteer Special Constable whilst undertaking her degree.

She joined as a full-time police officer in 2018 and opted to miss her university graduation ceremony in favour of protecting and serving Essex on a response shift.

Former Chief Inspector Alan Cook, who served with the force for 30 years, also helped to lead the Contingent on the day.

He was appointed to coordinate all matters in relation to the Civil Service Contingent in 2018 and represented St John Ambulance Service, who he has been volunteering with for 47 years.