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
07 August 1998
Western Australia
Ball died on a Thursday after being struck by a passing motor vehicle, whilst struggling with an offender on Crawford St, Cannington. Ball was born 15 March 1969 and joined the police force on the 18th of December 1995.
On this day
07 August 1866
Tasmania
John King Percy’s entry in the Police Register shows his appointment as a constable in June1858; he was transferred to the District of Horton in 1863. At this time Tasmania Police was a collection of several districts which came under the control of the Municipal Councils. Chief District Constable Percy was employed in the District of Horton in the North-West of Tasmania, the District being in existance from 1841-1890. Chief District Constable Percy married Sarah Ridge in 1857 and as reported in several newspaper articles they had five children, the youngest six weeks old when Constable Percy drowned. Entries in the Deaths in the District of Horton of 1866, his Inquest Report, the Police Establishment Record and several newspaper reports indicate he accidentally drowned while attempting to cross the West Inlet near Circular Head on his horse on 7th August 1866. A report appearing in the Mercury newspaper extensively covered the Inquest held on the 9th of Augst 1866. Chief District Constable Percy was sent to serve a summons on the master of a schooner for the crime of discharging his ballast into the river. Summons served Percy was seen mounting his horseand riding off in the direction of his home; he never arrived. The alarm was raised the following morning, a constable went searching for him, this proved a fraught exercise and it wasnt until the Captain of the schooner, sailing into Circular Head, spotted a dog on the beach; upon closer inspection they found the body of Chief District Constable Percy. The Inquest concluded ‘accidental drowning’ in the West Inlet bay at Circular Head.
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.
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