State police look to Canberra to honour fallen officers

In Canberra to honour their fallen comrades on National Police Remembrance Day, police officers from all Australian states have today praised the care and dignity shown by Canberra-based Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers who are the custodians ;of the National Police Memorial.

The National Police Memorial, completed in 2006, honours all Australian police killed on duty since 1803 and at the conclusion of today’s service, will carry the names of 731 police officers.

While no police were killed on duty in Australia during 2008, five historical names will be added this year after the deaths of three South Australian police and two Victorian police officers were discovered during ongoing historical research.

The Victorians honoured this year are Constable Edward Dore who died in a police motorcycle accident in 1957 and Senior Constable Edward Hubbard who drowned during Special Operations pre-selection training in 1999.

The South Australian police deaths all took place in the 19^th century. Police Trooper James Higgins suffered fatal head injuries in a horse riding accident in 1855, Corporal Henry Nixon succumbed in 1861 to the effects of multiple stab wounds inflicted six years earlier and Constable Thomas Charlesworth drowned crossing a swollen creek in 1884.

Relatives and descendents of the officers being remembered have flown into Canberra for this year’s service.

AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said that each name on the Memorial represents a loved one killed while serving the community in their role as police members.

“National Police Remembrance Day is a day of solemn reflection and gives each family a chance to draw support from others who have lost loved ones and from the wider community,” Commissioner Keelty said.

“The role of a policeman has changed significantly over the years, but is no less dangerous as our members go about their work.”

National Police Remembrance Day is commemorated each year on 29 September, the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel and Patron Saint of Police.

The dusk ceremony will begin at 5.15 pm with the arrival of the official guests and conclude at 6.10 pm at the National Police Memorial, Kings Park, Wendouree Drive, Canberra.

Members of the community are encouraged to attend the ceremony.

Additional information

NPRD Website http://www.npm.org.au/