On this day
Constable
Thomas M BLACK
YEAR OF DEATH
24 January 1895
JURISDICTION
Queensland
DETAILS OF DEATH
Drowned while moving horses across the Warrego River at Charville.
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
24 January 1895
Queensland
Drowned while moving horses across the Warrego River at Charville.
On this day
24 January 1883
Queensland
Marcus de la Poer Beresford (his name was anglicised to Mark Beresford on joining the Queensland Police Force) was in charge of the Native Troopers in Cloncurry. On the 13 January 1883 Aboriginals fatally speared a local stockman on a property south of Cloncurry. Beresford and five Native Troopers left on patrol to capture the offenders. On the afternoon of the 23 January 1883 the patrol came across a group of Aboriginals camped on the banks of a creek. The party camped nearby. Just before daylight the tribesman attacked the police party. Beresford received a spear to the right thigh and fatal blows to the head crushing his skull. The offenders were never brought to justice. Cadet Sub-Inspector Beresford is buried where he was murdered in the rough mountainous terrain in the Selwyn Ranges.
On this day
24 January 1867
New South Wales
On 16 January 1867 Constable Effe was performing gold escort duty on a coach travelling between Bendemeer and Tamworth. It is thought that the shaking of the coach caused a rifle to accidentally discharge shooting the Constable. The wounded Constable was left in a shepherd’s hut while the coach continued to Tamworth to obtain medical assistance. Dr Scott of Tamworth provided assistance for Constable Effe however the wound was to prove fatal and he died the following Thursday. The Constable was born in 1834 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 August 1857.
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