Two brave officers who died in the line of duty will again be honoured for risking their lives to protect the public.

The families of  Ollerton-born Pc Ged Walker and Pc Christopher McDonald, of Skegby, will receive the Elizabeth Emblem from King Charles in honour of their bravery, courage, and dedication.

The Government announced the introduction of the award in March. The commemorative emblem is awarded as a mark of recognition to the next of kin of those who lost their lives during public service.

Christopher, who was born on 19th March, 1959, joined Nottighamshire Police in 1976 as a police cadet in Mansfield, before completing his police training at the National Police College at Dishforth.

He was then posted to police the Worksop area. At that time the police were investigating a series of commercial burglaries committed overnight around Worksop town centre.

He was killed on 17th May. 1978, aged 19 — the first Nottinghamshire police officer to die in the line of duty.

After coming across a break-in at a jewellers in Worksop during a night shift, Christopher bravely confronted a gang of offenders before chasing them.

In a subsequent struggle with a suspect, the young officer suffered serious head injuries.

His body was found in the nearby River Ryton.

Two years later he was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

His mum will receive the Elizabeth Emblem in his honour. His sisters, Elaine Dean and Carol Bullock, said: “As a family we are really pleased to receive the Emblem.

“It is really good that he is going to be remembered all these years on. It has been a long time coming.

“I don’t think a lot of people realise that officers put their lives in danger every day when they go to work.

“There are not many jobs where people are faced with these situations. They are the thin blue line, and we are really proud as a family.”

Dog handler Pc ​Ged Walker made the ultimate sacrifice 21 years ago to protect the community.

He was on duty in Bulwell when he was fatally injured as he tried to remove the keys from the ignition of a stolen taxi and was dragged behind the car.

He died of his injuries two days later on 9th January, 2003.

His wife, Tracy Walker, will receive The Elizabeth Emblem in his honour.

She said: “We are very proud, and it is nice for the police to be acknowledged by the government for what he did. I think police officers should be recognised.

“He lost his life serving the community. There is no greater sacrifice and it was something that was never expected. You never imagine someone going to work at 6am and getting a call at 3pm saying this has happened to them.”

Chief Constable Kate Meynell added: “I am very pleased that both officers continue to be recognised for their immense bravery and courage. They made the ultimate sacrifice in their heroic attempts to uphold the law and protect the community from harm.

“Their loss is still felt across the force to this day and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”