National Police Memorial

 

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

Constable

Clifford Henry WADWELL

YEAR OF DEATH

15 April 1973

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 3.45pm on 3 April 1973 Constable Wadwell was riding a Police solo motor cycle home at the completion of his shift. As he was travelling along the Great Western Highway Greystanes a car travelling in the opposite direction began to make a right turn in front of the Police cycle. Constable Wadwell was unable to avoid a collision and after striking the front of the turning car was thrown to the roadway. He was conveyed to the Blacktown District Hospital for treatment and later transferred to the Prince Henry Hospital where he died on the 15 April 1973. The Constable was born in 1952 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 May 1971. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Branch.

On this day

Constable 1st Class

Robert Vincent TURNBULL

YEAR OF DEATH

15 April 1969

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

Early in the evening of 15 April 1969 Constable Turnbull left the Cooma Police Station to travel to Berridale to assist with enquiries into a stolen motor vehicle. Heavy rain was falling at the time and just south of the Snowy Mountains Highway (eight kilometres south of Cooma) Constable Turnbull lost control of his vehicle on the slippery road. The vehicle spun around travelled backwards for some distance before colliding with a fence post. As a result Constable Turnbull sustained severe head injuries and died a short time later. The Constable was born in 1939 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 February 1960. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cooma.

On this day

Constable

Ronald Francis SOMMERVILLE

YEAR OF DEATH

15 April 1961

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the morning of the 4 April 1961 Constable Sommerville was riding a Police motor cycle outfit in Darling Street Balmain. At the intersection of Cooper Street the cycle ran into the rear of a car which had stopped to make a right hand turn. It is thought that the Constable’s cap had moved obscuring his vision for a moment. While grabbing for and adjusting his cap he failed to see the vehicle in front of him stop. As a result of the collision Constable Sommerville was thrown from the cycle sustaining severe head injuries. He was conveyed to the Balmain District Hospital where he died on 15 April 1961. The Constable was born in 1940 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 March 1956 as a Cadet. He was sworn in on 9 August 1959. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

Complete Honour Roll

Search

Affiliated events

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.

National Police Memorial Australia

  • 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