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

Senior Constable

Clarence Roy PIRIE

YEAR OF DEATH

13 October 1960

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

Senior Constable Pirie was the Officer in Charge of the Capertee Police Station from 1958 until his death on 13 October 1960. On that day he was informed by Lithgow Police that two youths had been seen in a stolen car on the road between Capertee and Mudgee. Whilst patrolling the area Senior Constable Pirie found the two fourteen year-olds in the vehicle at a roadside camping area at Jews Creek. He did not know at this stage that on the previous day the pair had escaped from the Yasmar children’s detention centre and had broken into a dwelling stealing items of property and the vehicle before driving it to the Jews Creek area. Senior Constable Pirie placed one offender in the police vehicle and instructed the other to drive the stolen vehicle while he followed behind to the Capertee Police Station. As the Constable stood talking to the offenders the elder youth in the stolen car fired a shot from a .22 rifle through the windscreen. The shot hit Constable Pirie in the chest. He died a short time later. Both youths were captured the following day. The Constable was born in 1920 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September 1947. At the time of his death he was stationed at Capertee.

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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 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.

National Police Memorial Australia

  • 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