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 Sergeant

Victor KOSTIUK

YEAR OF DEATH

14 September 2018

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

Detective Senior Sergeant Victor (Vic), Kostiuk (22036) was the Officer in Charge of the Family Violence Unit which was located at the Somerville Police Complex. Detective Senior Sergeant Kostiuk joined Victoria Police on 3 December 1979 and went on to serve for over 38 years. On Friday the 14th of September 2018, Detective Senior Sergeant Kostiuk was participating in the annual Victoria Police ‘Wall to Wall Remembrance’ from Melbourne to Canberra. The ride takes place approximately two to three weeks prior to National Police Remembrance Day on the 29th of September. On Friday the 14th September 2018, at approximately 14.18hrs, Detective Senior Sergeant Victor Kostiuk was riding his motorcycle in company with his son, Detective Senior Constable Felix Kostiuk, along the Princes Highway east of Orbost. A drunk and speeding driver lost control of his vehicle and crossed onto the wrong side of the road colliding with Detective Senior Sergeant Kostiuk’s motorcycle killing him instantly. Vic Kostiuk’s unfortunate death occurred in the course of his participation in the ride that honours police killed on duty, whilst promoting safe and lawful motorcycling, representing Victoria Police and raising funds for Police Legacy.

On this day

Sub-Inspector

Henry P KAYE

YEAR OF DEATH

14 September 1881

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Sub-Inspector Henry Kaye of Georgetown received a complaint from a station owner that his stockman had been attacked by a band of Aboriginals. Kaye the station owner and a Aboriginal Tracker followed the group over 100 miles to within twelve miles of the Woolgar Gold Fields. They met with Sub-Inspector Nicol who was out patrolling. He assisted Kaye in rounding up the Aboriginals with a view to escorting them to the police camp at Woolgar. It became apparent that the natives were spreading out and moving slowly; the women had disappeared from the main group. The police party was soon concerned that the Aboriginals where to mount an attack on them. With only one revolver between them Nicols after discussions with Kaye rode off to get assistance with his native Trooper a few miles away. On their return they found that Kaye had been speared through the heart and the property owner and the trooper had narrowly avoided death. The Aboriginals had all dispersed and were not located. Sub-inspector Kaye was buried near where he fell about 100 miles north of Richmond in North West Queensland (now Middle Park Station).

Complete Honour Roll

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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 2026, services will be held on Tuesday 29 September.

Check with your State/Territory police organisation for local information of services to be held, 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