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..
Sergeant 3rd Class
Noel Ainsworth McCarthy
PORTER
19 September 1946
Jurisdiction: New South Wales
Details of Death:
The Sergeant was the Officer in Charge of the Hillston Police Station and on 14 June 1946 was required to recover a decomposing body from the Lachlan River. A few days earlier he had been cutting wood and had sustained a cut to the back of his left thumb. It is thought that whilst handling the body the Sergeant had contracted an infection through the cut. A few days after the incident Sergeant Porter sought medical attention for severe pains in his hand. When his condition continued to deteriorate he was sent to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and following treatment resumed duty in July. The Sergeant soon developed a sceptic throat condition and died on 19 September 1946. The cause of death was found to have been heart failure which had eventually resulted from the original infection contracted on 14 June 1946. The Sergeant was born in 1900 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 13 February 1922. At the time of his death he was stationed at Hillston.
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.