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
12 May 1990
Australian Federal Police
Constable David Hanswyk was appointed to the Australian Federal Police in May 1987. Constable Hanswyk died on 12 May 1990 from injuries after his ACT Policing motorcycle collided with a car in Canberra.
On this day
12 May 1973
New South Wales
About 6.50am on 12 May 1973 Sergeant Gill left his Hurstville home to drive to work at Campsie Police Station. On finding his car wouldn’t start the Sergeant pushed it about seventy metres to attempt to start the vehicle on a downgrade. He sat back in the driver’s seat and collapsed. A neighbour called the Ambulance which conveyed Sergeant Gill to the St George Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Sergeant was born in 1925 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April 1948. At the time of his death he was stationed at Campsie.
On this day
12 May 1967
New South Wales
Shortly before 9pm on 10 May 1967 Constable Roy was riding a Police solo motor cycle along the Princes Highway Kirrawee returning home at the completion of his rostered shift. At the time he was travelling behind a utility, the driver of which was looking for a service station. When the utility driver saw a service station on his right hand side he put his right indicator on. He then spotted a closer service station on his left. With his right indicator still on he turned left in front of Constable Roy who had begun to overtake on the near side. The utility struck the Constable’s motor cycle forcing it off the road and into a low brick wall at the front of the service station. As a result Constable Roy sustained severe head injuries and was conveyed to the Sutherland District Hospital where he died on 12 May 1967. The Constable was born in 1938 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 August 1964. At the time of his death he was stationed at North Sydney.
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