THEIR names are separated by 142 years and a revolution in the way Hampshire is policed.

But John Winn and James Drew had one thing in common – the courage and dedication shared by police officers who are prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect the public.

They are among more than 60 people whose bravery in the line of duty is saluted by a new memorial that was unveiled yesterday.

PC Winn was on duty in Portsmouth in 1867 when he was thrown from a horse-drawn cab and suffered fatal injuries.

PC Drew, 27, was on his way to work in 2009 and when he lost control of his vehicle as he drove to Alton police station.

His mother Rosemary, of Chandler’s Ford, was among the relatives of fallen officers who saw the memorial unveiled at Hampshire Constabulary’s Support and Training Headquarters in Netley.

She said: “James was an extremely sociable man who loved people. He also loved doing anything he could to help troubled teenagers.

“The memorial will keep alive the names of all the Hampshire officers who have died on duty – and that means an awful lot.

“It will also provide me with a place where I can come and be alone and think about James.”

The moving 40-minute service was conducted by Canon David Wilbraham, who referred to the pain caused by the death of a loved one and what he described as “the empty chair at special occasions”.

He added: “There are 61 names on the three plaques behind me.

“Only six of the officers were over the age of 50 when they died and only 19 were over the age of 40.

"These were young people who were in the prime of life when they faced an untimely death.”

A police whistle was blown to mark the beginning and end of a one-minute silence held to honour the fallen officers.

Those who laid wreaths at the base of the memorial included Hampshire’s Chief Constable, Olivia Pinkney, and the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane.

The tribute is the result of a project devised by the Hampshire Police Federation (HPF) with the full support of of the constabulary and Mr Lane.

It was launched following the death of the last Hampshire police officer to die on duty. PC Steve Rawson, 40, was killed in a motorcycle crash while on an undercover surveillance operation in Southampton.

Relatives paid tribute to HPF chairman John Apter, who was instrumental on the project’s success. One said: “His support has been amazing.”