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

Senior Constable

Raymond James SCORER

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1977

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 6.50pm on 3 May 1977 both Senior Constables were returning from the Beresfield Crematorium following a funeral service for Senior Constable Douglas Eaton who had been murdered on 30 April. As they were travelling along John Renshaw Drive near Buttai Senior Constable Thompson swerved to avoid a horse on the road. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. Senior Constable Scorer was killed instantly and Senior Constable Thompson died a short time later in the Royal Newcastle Hospital. Senior Constable Thompson was born in 1947 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 April 1967. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cessnock. Senior Constable Scorer was born in 1945 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 April 1966. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cessnock.

On this day

Senior Constable

Alan Wayne THOMPSON

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1977

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 6.50pm on 3 May 1977 both Senior Constables were returning from the Beresfield Crematorium following a funeral service for Senior Constable Douglas Eaton who had been murdered on 30 April. As they were travelling along John Renshaw Drive near Buttai Senior Constable Thompson swerved to avoid a horse on the road. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. Senior Constable Scorer was killed instantly and Senior Constable Thompson died a short time later in the Royal Newcastle Hospital. Senior Constable Thompson was born in 1947 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 April 1967. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cessnock. Senior Constable Scorer was born in 1945 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 April 1966. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cessnock.

On this day

First Constable

Ray DENMAN

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1964

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 2.47 pm Sunday 3 May 1964 First Constable Denman received a telephone call from Aileen Wilkinson of Knox Street Numurkah. She complained that her boyfriend Kim Christian was armed with a shot gun and beating on the back door of her home. Denman attended almost immediately. He ran to the rear of the house and approached Christian whose firearm discharged fatally wounding the Constable. Christian later claimed he had not known that Denman was behind him. He said he had felt something touch his shoulder and had moved backwards at which time the gun accidentally discharged. It was only then that he saw that the policeman had been shot and he immediately went to the local police station and reported the death. Despite his protestations of innocence he was charged with the Constable’s murder. Later presented at the Shepparton Supreme Court on a charge of manslaughter he was acquitted after a four day trial.

On this day

Constable

Edward O'NEILL

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1922

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 10.30 a.m. Monday 17 April 1922 Constable O’Neill was riding across the water reserve at Nhill west of the Golflinks when his horse caught its left fetlock in a hole. The animal stumbled and threw O’Neill heavily to the ground at which time he was also struck in the head by a hoof. He was rendered unconscious by the force of the fall and was taken to a local hospital where he was operated on but he never recovered. On Wednesday 3 May 1922 he died of septic meningitis caused by a compound fracture at the base of the skull.

On this day

Constable

Archibald John CURVEY

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1917

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Lance Corporal Archibald John Curvey A.I.F. number 4675 20th Australian Infantry Battalion. Killed in action in the second battle of Bullecourt France on Thursday 3 May 1917. He has no known grave. A commemorative plaque is placed in his honour at the Australian National Memorial Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery Somme France.

On this day

Constable

William John HUGHES

YEAR OF DEATH

03 May 1915

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Corporal William John Hughes A.I.F. number 1335 15th Australian Infantry Battalion. Killed in action at the Dardanelles Gallipoli on Monday 3 May 1915. He has no know grave. A commemorative plaque is placed in his honour at the Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli Peninsular.

Complete Honour Roll

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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