Today, the policing community paid tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives while performing their duties as a police officer.
This year marked the 16th anniversary of the national service at the National Police Memorial and included the addition of 15 touchstones to the National Police Memorial Wall in Canberra,
One of these touchstones was added in commemoration of Senior Constable Bria Joyce from Victoria Police who tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle collision while on duty on 8 April 2022.
The remaining touchstones are historical additions for officers who served as far back as 1825, whose nominations were submitted following extensive research by each of their jurisdictions. This includes:
- Senior Constable Travers Lovell House Weaver, Commonwealth Police
- Native Constable Walter, Northern Territory Police
- Native Constable Peter, Northern Territory Police
- Native Tracker Mungo, Northern Territory Police
- Constable William Watson, Tasmania Police
- Constable William Randall, Tasmania Police
- Constable David Waddell, Tasmania Police
- Constable Mathew Grogan, Tasmania Police
- Constable Peter Shiels, Tasmania Police
- Constable Robert Lewis, Tasmania Police
- Constable John Burke, Tasmania Police
- Constable John Williams, Tasmania Police
- Constable William Hodgkinson, Tasmania Police
- Constable James Richardson, Tasmania Police
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said today, Australians across the country took the time to pause to honour, reflect and commemorate the courageous officers who put their lives on the line to protect our community, and tragically paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"Every single one of these touchstones represents a member who served with distinction and is revered not only for the sacrifice made while protecting their communities, but also for their service to the community and the nation," Commissioner Kershaw said.
"On behalf of the policing community, we extend our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have fallen."
"While we can never take away the weight of your loss or the longevity of your grief, we will continue to stand united with you and ensure their legacies are forever preserved."
In the lead up to this National Police Remembrance Day faces of our fallen members have been projected onto Canberra's National Carillon in honour of their sacrifice.
This afternoon, police officers from all Australian policing jurisdictions marched from the AFP Headquarters, across the Kings Avenue bridge to the National Police Memorial in Kings Park, Canberra.
Following two years of virtual ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions, the National Service returned to the National Police Memorial in Kings Park with a momentous audience.
In attendance were members from all police jurisdictions, families of the fallen, as well as members of the public and honorary guests including the Governor-General, Prime Minister, Attorney General, Chief of the Defence Force and Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force.
