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 Constable

Ian James CRILLY

YEAR OF DEATH

13 August 1994

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 6.35 a.m. Saturday 13 August 1994 Senior Constable Crilly was travelling via the Murray Valley Highway to Corryong in order to set up a ‘speed camera’. The roadway was wet and driving conditions were poor and at Ebden the police car he was driving failed to negotiate a left hand curve in the highway. The car mounted an embankment and struck a concrete power pole killing him instantly.

On this day

Senior Constable

William Edward KING

YEAR OF DEATH

13 August 1971

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 6.45pm on 13 August 1971 Senior Constable King went home to the East Gresford Police Residence for dinner. When he answered a knock on the front door the Constable was shot in the chest. He died a short time later. Enquiries later revealed that Senior Constable King had arrested the offender a sixty-two year old labourer the previous year for a drink driving offence (DUI). The offender was arrested two hours after the murder of Senior Constable King and later sentenced to life imprisonment. The Constable was born in 1933 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 November 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at East Gresford.

On this day

Constable 1st Class

William HIRD

YEAR OF DEATH

13 August 1885

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the evening of the 13 August 1885 the Constable challenged a group of drunken Kempsey Park labourers near the bridge over the Cooks River at Canterbury. The group were returning to camp following a day on the grog in the city and had been causing a disturbance. One of the men named Birch then became involved in a scuffle with the Constable and while this was going on another of the group struck the unfortunate Constable Hird on the head several times with an axe killing him instantly. The Constable was born in 1852 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 July 1882. At the time of his death he was stationed at Canterbury.

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