COUNTY DOWN POLICE OFFICERSRemembering the four police officers who died responding to an emergency call on Sunday 23 November, 2008.They were in a patrol car which crashed in County Down, Northern Ireland.All four were local to the Mourne area. Two were full-time Police Service of Northern Ireland members, while the other two were part-time officers.The officers who died were:Declan Greene,James Magee,Kenny Irvine andKevin Gorman.It was the biggest loss of life in the PSNI since the end of the Troubles.Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, said: "The police family have lost four fine police officers in what are deeply tragic circumstances and our heartfelt condolences go out to their families."Our thoughts are with them as they struggle to come to terms with their loss. I know that there are also very many friends and colleagues who are shocked and saddened by this news. These four officers died serving this community and they will be deeply missed."We are extremely appreciative of the work done by the emergency services here last night; and indeed thankful to the community representatives and many members of the public who have passed on their condolences."Assista nt Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, who is responsible for the PSNI’s rural region, said: "Today we mourn the deaths of four police officers, who lost their lives as they supported their colleagues in serving their community. We feel this loss keenly and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those police officers."We think also of those colleagues and friends in the police service who are mourning this loss, and who are continuing to work, delivering a professional policing service at this difficult time. The professionalism of all those officers and staff who have been working in the aftermath of this tragedy is to be commended."We have received many many calls of support and sympathy from the community and for those thoughts we are most grateful. They are very much appreciated."Terry Spence, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation said: "Two of these officers had children and coming up to Christmas this will be extremely difficult for their extended families but for all of these officers there will be mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, the police service in general and in particular the colleagues who served with these men so it will be a very very difficult time for everyone involved.'Democratic Unionist Party assembly member for the area Jim Wells said: "Everyone in the Mourne community will know one or other of these men."This will be a dreadful tragedy for the entire community and it will take a long time for people to come to terms with what has happened."
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