A Sussex police officer killed by a hit-and-run driver while carrying out speed checks was among officers remembered on the first National Police Memorial Day.

PC Jeff Tooley, 26, was manning a speed trap in Brighton Road, Shoreham, in April 1999, when he was hit by a van. He was dragged for 100 yards and died the next day.

The memorial service, held in St Paul's Cathedral, London, yesterday, was the first of its kind to pay tribute to officers who have died in the line of duty.

Family, friends and colleagues and dignitaries, many wearing black and white memorial ribbons pinned to their clothes, remembered more than 4,000 officers who have fallen over the last 175 years.

Sussex assistant chief constable Geoff Williams attended the service to mark PC Tooley's bravery and dedication.

Following PC Tooley's death van driver John Heaton was jailed for seven years but the sentence was reduced to five on appeal.

Along with PC Tooley's mother Veronica, who criticised the punishment as too lenient, The Argus launched the Justice for Jeff campaign in 1999 to increase penalties for drivers who kill.

In March this year, the Government increased the maximum sentence from ten to 14 years.

The Argus presents the annual Beyond the Call of Duty Award in memory of PC Tooley.