State Police Look To Canberra To Honour Fallen Officers

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29th September 2008, 07:02am - Views: 1142





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29 September 2008 


Media Release


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 19th 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.


Visit our website at www.afp.gov.au for all the latest information on the Australian

Federal 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.


Media enquiries

AFP National Media Team     

Phone: (02) 6275 7100


Additional information

NPRD Website 








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