Officer who led Southport attack investigation recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye has received an accolade - as well as former Merseyside Police chief Serena Kennedy
Last updated 13th Jun 2026
The police officer who led the investigation into the Southport attack has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye joined Merseyside Police in January 2003.
After rising through the ranks, in July 2024 he was tasked with leading the probe into the murders of Alice, Bebe and Elsie in Southport.
The former Chief Constable of the force, Serena Kennedy, has also been recognised - recieving a damehood for Services to Policing.
Serena served in policing for 32 years, starting her career as a Constable at Greater Manchester Police in 1993 before moving to Cheshire Constabulary and arriving at Merseyside Police as an Assistant Chief Constable in 2017. In April 2021, she became the first female Chief Constable in the history of Merseyside Police.
Detective Inspector Jason Pye said:
"I am deeply humbled to have been considered for a Kings Police Medal for service to the people of Merseyside. It represents the pinnacle of my career and is the greatest honour I could ever receive.
"But I accept it with a profound awareness of the tragedy that brought us together, the young lives so heartbreakingly lost, their families, and those who survived but will carry the impact of that day for the rest of their lives.
"This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs first and foremost to my family, whose strength, compassion, and steadfast support carried me through the most difficult moments and made every challenge surmountable.
"It also belongs to my colleagues, whose dedication and integrity never wavered, and those affected whose resilience, and tenacity gave me the strength to keep going through the hardest moments."
Serena Kennedy said:
“I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour. It is a privilege I never expected, and one I accept with immense pride.
“Although this recognition is awarded to me, I see it as a tribute to the outstanding work carried out every single day by the officers and staff of Merseyside Police, together with our partners across the Liverpool City Region and the communities we serve. During my time as Chief Constable, I had the privilege of witnessing the very best of our region.
“Together, we faced some of the most challenging moments in recent years, when our communities demonstrated remarkable resilience, compassion and strength. I also saw our region shine on the world stage as we hosted major events such as the Eurovision Song Contest, showcasing Liverpool’s warmth, creativity and generosity to millions around the globe.
“I am immensely proud to have served as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and of the work we undertook locally to strengthen trust and confidence in policing. I was also honoured to lead national programmes of work, including the integrity screening project, alongside dedicated colleagues from across the service. None of this would have been possible without the exceptional commitment, professionalism and courage of officers and staff across Merseyside, who consistently go above and beyond to protect the public, support the most vulnerable and deliver the highest standards of service, often in the most demanding circumstances.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout my 32 years in policing. Their encouragement, patience and understanding have been invaluable.
“Finally, I want to pay tribute to the officers and staff of Merseyside Police, who continue to achieve remarkable things every day to keep people safe and support those most in need. Serving alongside them has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I share this honour with them.
“As I continue my policing journey, I remain as committed as ever to the values of public service, integrity and fairness that have guided me throughout my career.”