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
06 November 2020
Western Australia
On 6 November 2020, Detective Senior Constable Michael Cursiter was on duty in company with another police officer when they became involved in a vehicle pursuit. On return to the station from his duties, Detective Senior Constable Cursiter suffered a fatal heart attack and could not be revived.
On this day
06 November 1966
New South Wales
About 1.30am on 6 November 1966 Constable Hollingsworth was returning home from work at Petersham Police Station when he was involved in a traffic collision on the Great Western Highway Granville. The Constable’s vehicle collided with another vehicle which had come to a halt in the centre of the roadway after another vehicle had apparently failed to give way to it. Constable Hollingsworth was conveyed to the Parramatta District Hospital suffering from extensive internal injuries and was found to be dead on arrival. The Constable was born in 1943 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 13 August 1962. At the time of his death he was stationed at Petersham.
On this day
06 November 1919
New South Wales
On 6 November 1919 Constables Hush and Willmott went to Roseville where they made enquiries into a robbery. On completion of these enquiries they accepted a lift back to their station with a lorry driver. They had almost reached the Chatswood Police Station when a tyre on the vehicle blew out causing it to overturn. Both Constables were trapped beneath the vehicle and seriously injured. Both were conveyed to the Royal North Shore Hospital where Constable Hush unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Constable Willmott later recovered. Constable Hush was born in 1880 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 January 1908. At the time of his death he was stationed at Chatswood.
On this day
06 November 1867
Queensland
Constables Cahill and Powers were the first two Queensland Police Officer killed in the line of duty. They were shot dead whiles performing Gold Escort Duty in 1867. This double murder occurred at the MacKenzie River the present location of the Bedford Weir north of Blackwater in Central Queensland. The Constables were returning to Clermont from Rockhampton with 4000 pounds in cash. During the evening while they slept both Constables were shot through the head with the money stolen. Their bodies found two days later by an innkeeper who raised the alarm. The offender was Thomas Griffin the Assistant Gold Commissioner from Rockhampton who committed robberies and murders to pay his gambling debts. Griffin had been Magistrate and Gold Commissioner to the Clermont district before being demoted and transferred to Rockhampton. While in Clermont he had become an addicted gambler and owed an number of Chinese Gold diggers money. He was convicted of the murders of Cahill and Powers and hung at Rockhampton prison on the 1 June 1868. Constable Cahill and Powers were originally buried at MacKenzie River. In 1868 there bodies were exhumed and buried in the old South Rockhampton Cemetery.
On this day
06 November 1867
Queensland
Constables Cahill and Powers were the first two Queensland Police Officer killed in the line of duty. They were shot dead while performing Gold Escort Duty in 1867. This double murder occurred at the MacKenzie River the present location of the Bedford Weir north of Blackwater in Central Queensland. The Constables were returning to Clermont from Rockhampton with 4000 pounds in cash. During the evening while they slept both Constables were shot through the head with the money stolen. Their bodies found two days later by an innkeeper who raised the alarm. The offender was Thomas Griffin the Assistant Gold Commissioner from Rockhampton who committed robberies and murders to pay his gambling debts. Griffin had been Magistrate and Gold Commissioner to the Clermont district before being demoted and transferred to Rockhampton. While in Clermont he had become an addicted gambler and owed an number of Chinese Gold diggers money. He was convicted of the murders of Cahill and Powers and hung at Rockhampton prison on the 1 June 1868. Constable Cahill and Powers were originally buried at MacKenzie River. In 1868 there bodies were exhumed and buried in the old South Rockhampton Cemetery.
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 2024, services will be held on Friday 27th September.
Check with your State/Territory police organisation for local information of services to be held on 27 September, 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