On this day
Constable
Charles Elwood HORNIBROOK
YEAR OF DEATH
18 May 1902
JURISDICTION
Victoria
DETAILS OF DEATH
Died from injuries sustained on or about 18 May 1902 when he fell from his horse at Rheola.
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
18 May 1902
Victoria
Died from injuries sustained on or about 18 May 1902 when he fell from his horse at Rheola.
On this day
18 May 1881
South Australia
Harry Edmonds Pearce died soon after a habitual horse thief stabbed him 14 times in the chest on a deserted road near Kingston. Robert Johnston arrested by the trooper for supplying liquor to Aborigines near Wellington had resisted Pearce’s attempt to handcuff and escort him to Kingston police station. Johnston fled after his brutal crime but a passer-by later found Pearce still alive lying in grass just off the road. The young policeman’s father a state parliamentarian learned of the incident while Parliament was in session in Adelaide. James Pearce rushed to Kingston where he saw his son just before he died two days later. Pearce junior had identified his attacker to a colleague before his death. Johnston hanged on November 18 1881 after his arrest trial and conviction for murder. His execution was the last in the Mount Gambier jail. Pearce might not have died so young had he succeeded in his attempt when he was 22 to join the clergy. Considered too young he was told to reapply when he turned 25. Until then he figured time as a police officer would give him some valuable life experience. In 1988 the Kingston Bicentennial Committee honoured Pearce with a memorial stone and commemorative plaque near the scene of his attack. And Year 10 Wilderness School students who helped restore the Wesleyan Cemetery at Walkerville in 2001 refurbished his grave. One of his descendants Senior Constable Jill Pearce continues his bloodline in SAPOL today.
Remembering mates. Saturday 18 September 2021*
* Subject to planning through Covid 19 times
Please check with your state/territory police organisation for local service information – Services to be held on Wednesday, 29 September 2021.
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. View in Google maps