Community members and the NSW Police Force will unite across the state today to honour more than 273 police officers and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice at National Police Remembrance Day services.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM will join hundreds of officers at the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in The Domain this morning (Friday 27 September 2019), for a service to honour our fallen police.
Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beasley AO QC; NSW Premier, The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP; NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services; The Honourable David Elliott MP, along with other distinguished guests, will also join the Commissioner at the service.
Commissioner Fuller said National Police Remembrance Day is a time for everyone in the policing family to come together and honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Today we take pause to reflect and recognise the incredible courage of those officers who have lost their lives while serving the community of NSW," Commissioner Fuller said.
"It is with great sorrow that we add another name to the Wall of Remembrance this year, following the tragic death of Constable Timothy Proctor from Liverpool City Police Area Command.
"National Police Remembrance Day is about honouring the legacy our officers leave behind and standing in solidarity with their loved ones who will always be part of our blue family.
"Today, rank has no meaning, Commissioner or Constable, we stand side by side in support of all those who have lost a loved one, a friend, or a team mate and honour their integrity, loyalty and commitment to duty," Commissioner Fuller said.
Minister Elliott said National Police Remembrance Day also provides a time to remember police officers who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances.
"Today is a solemn occasion to pay respect to those officers who have lost their lives while performing their duties. It is an important reminder of the continued dangers that our brave men and women in blue face each day in serving the community," Minister Elliott said.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to the Proctor family; today we honour Tim, and the memory of all those who have died before him as part of the NSW Police Force family.
"Since the inception of the force in 1862, 273 officers have died in the line of duty – they will never be forgotten," Minister Elliott said.
This year, two historical names will also be added to the wall, in honour of Senior Constable Francis Drum and retired officer Senior Constable Colin Young.
Senior Constable Francis Drum died on Thursday 12 January 1882 after falling from his horse while on duty near Warrangang Station.
He was appointed as a Constable on Monday 24 February 1862 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Senior Constable on Wednesday 1 September 1875.
In 1882, he was the Officer in Charge (OIC) of a two-man police station at Marengo. Today, the area falls in Murringo, and forms part of The Hume Police District.
Senior Constable Drum's 86-year-old great-grandson will be joining police at a National Police Remembrance Day service in Young today, to honour his ancestor's passing.
Senior Constable Colin Young, who was attached to the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) when he retired from the NSW Police Force, died from suicide resulting from duties on Thursday 12 May 2016.
Earlier this week, a dedication ceremony was held at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills to honour the 112 sworn and unsworn members of the NSW Police Force who either died whilst serving or were unable to continue working because of injury or illness and who subsequently passed away.
There are currently 112 names on the Service Memorial with 14 names – 12 sworn officers and two unsworn staff – to be added at this year's ceremony.
Traditionally observed on 29 September each year, Police Remembrance Day holds great significance for police and the community alike, with local services to be held across NSW today.
