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

Albert Stewart McCOLL

YEAR OF DEATH

01 August 1933

JURISDICTION

Northern Territory

DETAILS OF DEATH

McColl joined the Northern Territory Police on 25 May 1929 and served on the South West Patrol from Alice Springs and in Darwin. Mounted Constable McColl was a member of a patrol into Arnhem Land following the murder of several fishermen in July 1933. He was left in charge of five aboriginal women witnesses at a camp on Woodah Island while the rest of the party went to investigate a group of men approaching the camp. When they returned they could not find McColl. His body was found the next morning a short distance away from the camp with a gaping wound in the chest and a shovel nosed spear nearby. He was buried on Woodah Island his remains later transferred back to Darwin and reinterred in the Gardens Cemetery. An Aboriginal Tuckiar was arrested for McColl’s murder. He was tried found guilty and sentenced to death on 6 August 1934. An appeal was upheld by the High Court of Australia on 8 November 1934 the conviction quashed and Tuckiar was released immediately. He was never heard of again.

On this day

Constable

John DALTON

YEAR OF DEATH

01 August 1846

JURISDICTION

Western Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

Circumstances unknown.

Complete Honour Roll

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.