The family of York police officer PC Rosie Prior say her death has left a huge void in their lives, as they prepare to say goodbye.
PC Prior will be given a full ceremonial police funeral at York Minster today, complete with a guard of honour by her fellow officers.
It follows her death last month after she was struck by an HGV while on duty near Thirsk.
Ahead of PC Prior’s funeral, her husband Chris issued this statement: “On behalf of my family and I, I would firstly like to thank North Yorkshire Police and the Federation for their amazing support during this horrific time.
“I would like to specifically mention our Family Support Officers who have been fantastic.
“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.
“I would ask that the media allows the boys and I time to rebuild our lives, noting we will have a huge Rosie void in it, and as such we will not be making any further comments. Thank you.”
Funeral: Key timings
- 10.15am: Attendees to be seated inside York Minster.
- 10.15am – 10.20am: Chief Constable inspects the officers on parade.
- 10.30am – 10.45am: Cortege approaches Minster
- 11am: Service begins.
- 12.30pm: Service due to conclude. Led by the Chief Constable, officers give the ‘Final Salute’ as the coffin is led away from the Minster.
- 2.30pm: A private service at Thirsk Crematorium.
Police piper
Today’s ceremony will begin with the funeral cortege approaching York Minster from Duncombe Place at around 10.30am.
The cortege will be led by a police piper and four police horses. The approach will be lined by North Yorkshire Police officers and flag bearers from every police force.
There will be a guard of honour made up of 21 officers from North Yorkshire Police.
The Minster service will led by the Reverend Canon Timothy Goode. Around 800 people will be in the cathedral, including Rosie’s family, friends, and colleagues. .
While the public are not allowed inside the Minster, they are welcome to gather to pay their respects on Duncombe Place. The service is also being live streamed on the Minster’s YouTube channel here.
Many North Yorkshire Police officers have sacrificed rest days so that policing is maintained while PC Prior’s colleagues attend the funeral.
Some officers are attending as guests while others have volunteers for ceremonial and operational duties, such as lining the approach.
Joined in 2022
PC949 Rosie Prior, who was born in Leeds, joined North Yorkshire Police in May 2022 as a student officer before joining the Response team in York.
She joined to help people in their hour of need.
Response teams consist of uniformed police officers who respond to 999 calls and other emergencies. Among their duties is searching for and helping missing people including missing children – a part of the job PC Prior cared deeply about.
She had previously pursued a career in sales, working with EuroDirect (now part of Trans Union) where she met her husband, Chris. More recently, she ran a coffee van business before applying to North Yorkshire Police.
PC Prior was married with a young family.
She died while on duty on Saturday 11 January in a road traffic collision which also resulted in the death of Ryan Welford from Knaresborough.
At 8.45am, PC Prior stopped to help members of the public following a separate collision involving two cars on the A19 southbound near Bagby.
Shortly afterwards, PC Prior, Ryan Welford and a passenger from Mr Welford’s vehicle were tragically struck at the roadside by a heavy goods vehicle. Sadly, both PC Prior and Mr Welford were pronounced dead at scene.
The driver of the HGV, a 65-year-old man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
The family has invited guests and members of the public who wish to make a charitable donation in PC Prior’s memory to visit the Just Giving page here.