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..
Mounted Constable
John
FORSAYTH
27 October 1852
Jurisdiction: South Australia
Details of Death:
Forsayth died after he accidentally shot himself with his carbine as he struck at a snake in Port Lincoln.
Constable
John Joseph
McNAMARA
27 October 1870
Jurisdiction: Victoria
Details of Death:
On Thursday 27 October 1870 Constable McNamara was attempting to cross Snodgrass Creek Metcalf. He was swept away by flood waters carried into the Coliban River and drowned. It was raining hard at the time and the creek was swollen to many times its normal size.
Senior Constable
Alfred
WAVELL
27 October 1889
Jurisdiction: Queensland
Details of Death:
On the 23 October 1889 Senior Constable Alfred Wavell was stationed at Corinda (now Domadgee) and was suffering severe fever possibly malaria. He received information that a man named Flick who was charged with attempted murder had escaped from the Normanton lock up and was heading south towards Lawn Hill. Although very weak and ill Wavell and two Black Trackers commenced after Flick riding for four days and over 200 miles. On the 27 October they located Flick near Lawn Hill Station. Flick reached Lawn Hill Station and barricaded himself inside the kitchen dinning room and began firing at Wavell Trackers and property staff. Wavell walked towards the building calling upon Flick to surrender. Flick suddenly appeared at a window and fired at Wavell hitting him in the chest. He was killed instantly. The property owner Frank Hann was also shot and seriously wounded although he recovered from the wounds. During the subsequent shoot out Flick was wounded but he escaped during the night in the middle of a thunderstorm. Next morning he was tracked towards a nearby gully. Another shoot out occurred and a young Aboriginal lad was shot dead by Flick. The party opened fire killing Flick. Senior Constable Wavell Flick and the Aboriginal boy are all buried on the edge of Lawn Hill Creek at Lawn Hill Station.
Detective Senior Constable
Michael R
JENKINS
27 October 2000
Jurisdiction: Western Australia
Details of Death:
Jenkins and another police officer were returning to Moora from Perth. The police vehicle in which they were travelling crashed near Dandaragn about 3.00pm on October 25 2000. The accident occurred on a recently graded gravel road. Jenkins, who was the driver of the vehicle, was conveyed to hospital but died as a result of his injuries two days later. The other officer survived the crash. Jenkins joined the service on July 23rd 1990 and is survived by his partner Kylie and their two children. He was born 26th April 1971.
The National Police Memorial is located in Kings Park on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin adjacent to Aspen Island and the National Carrillion. You can access the Memorial either from the city-bound lanes of Kings Avenue Bridge or by passing under Parkes Way on Wendouree Drive, off Constitution Avenue. Click on the map for a more detailed view.