Chair Lee Broadbent made the comments after attending National Police Memorial Day in Belfast with a number of family members from Greater Manchester.

Lee and the families joined the Home Secretary and police chiefs, families, friends and former colleagues of the fallen at Waterfront Hall on 25 September to pay tribute to officers’ commitment, courage and sacrifice.

Lee said: “It’s the first time I’ve had the privilege of attending the National Police Memorial Day ceremony, as your representative, to convey our respect to colleagues who have died in service of the communities we police.

“The run-up and preparation for this year’s event has been incredibly emotional and at times difficult for me.

“11 March marked 40 years since the murder of PC John Egerton and only last Sunday, I attended the ceremony at Hyde police station to pay personal respects to Nicola and Fiona, colleagues I worked with, who were taken from us 10 years ago.

“In dusting down my tunic for the event I found the invitations to their funerals in my jacket pocket and was instantly pulled back to the pain and anger I felt all those years ago.

“The memories and emotions, still all to raw, reduced me to tears as did news of the passing of a friend and colleague Dan Wakefield last Thursday.

“As you would expect, Greater Manchester Police Federation have a strong connection with the families of our fallen colleagues and this year, like the ones before, we extended our invitation and hospitality so they too could join us in Belfast to honour the memory of their loved ones.

“It was described to me as a club nobody wants to join, but in joining it’s a club many don’t want to be without.

“Over the two days I spent with our families I came to understand why as I was moved by their dignity, resilience, collective strength and equally by the compassion and care they showed me as I come to terms with my own grief.

“It’s been an honour to share what is their day and pay respects to a truly wonderful group of people, who have given and lost so much and who we look forward to continually supporting.”

Around 2,000 people attended the event – an annual fixture in the policing calendar. Members of the Royal family, who would normally attend, were absent as they are still in mourning for HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The names of officers who lost their lives over the past year were read out at the event by Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. They are: PC Daniel Golding, of the Met; PC Craig Higgins, of Greater Manchester Police; PC Alex Prentice, of Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering – society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives – one from each of the four nations of the UK.

Representing Northern Ireland was Stephen Wylie-Young, son of Constable William Raymond Wylie QPM. Stephen was just six months old when his father was murdered.

Representing Wales was Sgt Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terence John Davies, of Gwent Police.

Representing Scotland was George Barnsley, friend and colleague of DS William Ross Hunt, of Strathclyde Police.

And representing England was Kathryn Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, of Cumbria Police.

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.