In 2001, it was resolved to establish a National Police Memorial in Canberra.
The Memorial pays tribute to Australian Police Officers who have been killed on duty or have died as a result of their duties since the advent of policing in Australia and to recognise the unique nature of police service and the dangers that police face in their daily pursuits.
The $2.4million memorial was jointly funded by the Australian Government (through the Australian Federal Police), State and Territory Police Services and Police Federation of Australia.
The Memorial was completed and dedicated on 29 September 2006 (National Police Remembrance Day). Following the dedication ceremony, a criteria for future inclusion of names on the National Police Memorial was agreed upon together with a National Police Memorial Co-ordination Committee.
On this day
27 November 2004
Western Australia
Pearson was killed on duty when the police car he was driving collided with another vehicle on the Bussell Highway, near Capel. His passenger and work colleague Sen. Const. Lindsay Harding survived the accident but sustained serious injuries. Pearson was born on 1 June 1975.
On this day
27 November 1981
Victoria
About 6.15 a.m. Friday 27 November 1981 Constables Moynihan and Hewitt were performing patrol duties in the central business district when they became involved in the pursuit of two speeding motor cyclists. The chase took them to the Caulfield area where one of the offenders was intercepted. The other eluded pursuit at which time the chase was abandoned. However minutes later Moynihan and Hewitt saw the second motor cyclist and resumed the chase. They were travelling west along Inkerman Road and as they passed through the Hawthorn Road intersection they collided with a police divisional van which had come to their assistance. The sedan containing Moynihan and Hewitt was spun around and slid more than 50 metres along Inkerman Street before crashing into a telegraph pole. Both Constables were killed in the collision.
On this day
27 November 1981
Victoria
About 6.15 a.m. Friday 27 November 1981 Constables Moynihan and Hewitt were performing patrol duties in the central business district when they became involved in the pursuit of two speeding motor cyclists. The chase took them to the Caulfield area where one of the offenders was intercepted. The other eluded pursuit at which time the chase was abandoned. However minutes later Moynihan and Hewitt saw the second motor cyclist and resumed the chase. They were travelling west along Inkerman Road and as they passed through the Hawthorn Road intersection they collided with a police divisional van which had come to their assistance. The sedan containing Moynihan and Hewitt was spun around and slid more than 50 metres along Inkerman Street before crashing into a telegraph pole. Both Constables were killed in the collision.
On this day
27 November 1887
Victoria
On an unknown date in 1887 Constable Clarke arrested a man for being drunk in Humffray Street Ballarat. He was conveying the prisoner to the Ballarat East lock-up when the man viciously assaulted him kicking him in the groin and the back. One of the kicks ruptured the Constable’s liver. Clarke complained of great pain at the time and sought medical treatment. From that date his health deteriorated and although he sought help from nearly all the doctors in Ballarat there was nothing they could do for him. For the three weeks before his death he was confined to his bed. He died on the 27th of November 1887. He was buried in the New Street cemetery with full police honours.
Remembering mates – Wall to Wall Ride is held in September each year.
Click here for more information.
National Police Remembrance Day is an annually recognised on 29th September.
Please note for 2025, services will be held on Monday 29th September.
Check with your State/Territory police organisation for local information of services to be held, or click here for more information.
The National Police Memorial is located in Kings Park on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin adjacent to Queen Elizabeth II Island and the National Carrillion. View in Google maps