Widow ‘Hugely Proud’ of New Honour for Off-Duty PC

Sarah Doyle, the widow of Merseyside PC Neil Doyle, has expressed her “hugely proud” feelings upon accepting a new award established in his honour. PC Doyle was fatally assaulted by two individuals who identified him as a police officer during an off-duty Christmas outing in Liverpool on 19 December 2014. Mrs. Doyle is one of the initial recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem, a recently introduced recognition for emergency service personnel who perish while performing their duties. She described accepting this tribute for her late husband as “overwhelming”. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy stated that PC Doyle’s death caused “shockwaves” across both the police force and the surrounding community. Two individuals received prison sentences for manslaughter following the “joint and repeated attack” on the 36-year-old police officer. The emblem, which bears the name of the late Queen, was unveiled earlier in the current year. Ms Doyle, scheduled to receive the award from King Charles later this year, conveyed her “thrilled” sentiment that her husband is among the inaugural honorees. She remarked, “On 19 December it will be 10 years since we lost Neil, so it is particularly fitting and moving for me that I will be presented with the emblem near the time of his anniversary.” She added, “It’s really important for the families to see their loved ones recognised in this way.” Ms Kennedy described PC Doyle as a “hugely respected and well-loved colleague” whose memory is “very much remembered and missed by the force”. She also commended Mrs Doyle, calling her an “incredible force for good in the face of the tragedy” for her role in founding the Doyle Phillips Foundation. This charitable organization was established to provide assistance to the families of deceased officers and staff, serving as a lasting tribute to both PC Doyle and PC Dave Phillips, who died in 2015 during an attempt to intercept a stolen vehicle. Ms Kennedy commented, “The selflessness and compassion she has shown is a real testament to Sarah’s spirit and a fitting tribute to Neil.”