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

Sergeant

Raymond Keith SMITH

YEAR OF DEATH

13 July 1998

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the morning of 13 July 1998 Sergeant Smith was riding a police motor cycle to work along the F3 Freeway near Calga when a piece of wood fell from a truck hitting him and causing the cycle to collide with a rock wall. It is thought that the Sergeant was killed instantly. The Senior Sergeant was born in 1950 and joined the New South Wales Police on 22 June 1970. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Support Group Parramatta.

On this day

Constable

Nathan K DUCKHAM

YEAR OF DEATH

13 July 1995

JURISDICTION

Western Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

Killed when the unmarked police vehicle he was driving in collided with a truck on the corner of Marmion Ave and Burns Beach Rd in Joondalup. He joined the Police Force on January 25th 1993.

On this day

Detective Senior Constable

Robert John LANE

YEAR OF DEATH

13 July 1979

JURISDICTION

Victoria

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 11.30 a.m. Friday 13 July 1979 Detective Lane accompanied David Bernard Chapman an 18 year old car theft suspect to a disused bus parked in a camp site at Kyalite Southern New South Wales. Chapman had been living there for a short time and had told the Detective he had a receipt amongst his possessions which would exonerate him of the theft. Whilst Lane searched the bus Chapman took out a .22 calibre rifle and shot the Detective in the head. The policeman fell to the floor and Chapman then walked up and again shot him in the head. He then dragged the corpse to a nearby pit where he dumped it. He then escaped in the police car in company with his 17 year old girlfriend Kerryn Anne Bonser. He later dumped the car in the Edwards River 5 kilometres away and took to the bush. Despite a massive man hunt he was not located until 19 July 1980 at a property in the Kyalite District. He admitted his guilt and appeared before Paramatta Supreme Court charged with the murder. On 1 July 1980 he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On this day

Detective Sergeant 3rd Class

Dallas Cyril KEMP

YEAR OF DEATH

13 July 1974

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

On 25 June 1974 Sergeant Kemp was undertaking the Sergeants Course at the Redfern Police Academy. Whilst participating in a jog along Cooper Street the Sergeant collapsed. Other Police commenced Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation until an Ambulance arrived and conveyed Sergeant Kemp to the Rachel Forster Hospital. He unfortunately suffered a cardiac arrest on 13 July 1974 and passed away. The Sergeant was born in 1932 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 October 1956. At the time of his death he was stationed at Mayfield.

On this day

Constable

Michael FARRALLEY

YEAR OF DEATH

13 July 1863

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

The Constable was drowned while attempting to cross Salisbury Creek near Newcastle. Further details of the event are unknown. The Constable was born in 1839 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 November 1862.

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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 2025, services will be held on Monday 29th 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