Tragic Jo Cox MP’s widower says late spouse could be ‘humbled’ by Elizabeth Emblem honour
EXCLUSIVE: Jo Cox MP’s widower is among 67 families set to receive the Elizabeth Emblem on behalf of their loved ones, who died while serving the public
Brendan Cox meets Louise Haigh Minister for the Cabinet Office in Downing Street today(Image: Philip Coburn)
Murdered MP Jo Cox’s widower has said she would be “humbled” by an award honouring public servants who died helping others.
The tragic MP is among 67 politicians, police officers and firefighters posthumously granted the Elizabeth Emblem for their sacrifice.
During a gathering for the families at Number 10 on Thursday, Jo’s husband Brendan Cox told the Mirror: “This is important because it’s an acknowledgement of the loss we’ve sustained as a family. Jo wasn’t into medals, but I think she would be humbled that there has been that acknowledgement – and what that means for our kids and wider family would mean a lot to her.
“Some people’s loss was over 40 years ago – but for them, when it feels like the world has moved on, the state recognising and acknowledging that loss is really important.”
Jo, 42, who represented Batley and Spen, was killed by a far-right extremist as she walked into her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorks, on June 16, 2016. Others set to receive the award for their late loved ones include Sue Brace, whose sister PC Cheryl Lloyd, 42, died when the patrol car she was driving collided with a stationary lorry in Ipswich, Suffolk in 2005.
Sue, 67, told us: “It’s an honour – I wish she was here, but I know she’s looking down on us today. She’d be pleased that police officers and other public servants are being recognised.
“And now, on Remembrance Sunday, I can wear the pin and know I’m wearing it for Cheryl. That’s a big thing and a big honour. I didn’t realise how special Cheryl was to so many people. At her funeral, they read out two letters written by inmates at a local prison who said Cheryl was amazing because she treated them as human beings.”
Tahire Mahmood Khan lost his brother, Raja Basharat Ahmed, a Greater Manchester Police officer, when he was struck by a lorry while on duty August, 1999. He said: “We are honoured – it’s a recognition of the country, it sets an example. He will always be remembered. It is a really exceptional award for doing that line of work.”
Jackie Pickering’s 20-year-old brother, PC John Egerton, was fatally stabbed by a man while attending the scene of a petrol theft in March, 1982. “The award will mean it keeps his name to the forefront and his service is as important as it was then,” she told us.
“I remember all he ever spoke about was wanting to join the police. When he became a police officer, he just became even more amazing. He was our brother, we were super proud of him because he achieved his dream – but we continued to be even more proud for what he did for the community and the public – he paid the ultimate price.”
First established in 2024, the Elizabeth Emblem is a mark of recognition to public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty.
This is the fourth list to be published, with the next of kin awarded this national form of recognition. Others honoured include Sir David Amess MP, who was killed during a constituency surgery in Southend, Essex, in 2021. And firefighters Jennifer Logan and Martyn Lewis Sadler, who perished attending a blaze at RAF Bicester Airfield on May 15, 2025.
PM Andy Burnham said: “Behind every one of these 67 names is a family who got the worst news and have carried it every day since. This Emblem makes clear, and puts on the record, that we recognise what these families gave and that we will never let it be forgotten.”
First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, said: “It was an honour to meet with the families of some of the Elizabeth Emblem recipients today and recognise public servants whose commitment and passion helped to make our country a better place.
“Their loved ones dedicated themselves to public service. In awarding the Emblem, we recognise both the enormous contribution and sacrifice that each of them made.”
