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
12 November 1989
Victoria
About 3.40 a.m. Sunday 12 November 1989 Constable Given was driving a police vehicle which was transporting an urgently required donor heart from Essendon Airport to the Alfred Hospital. Near the intersection of Racecourse and Flemington Roads Parkville he lost control of the car. It collided with a metal pole and Constable Given was killed instantly.
On this day
12 November 1974
New South Wales
On 12 November 1974 Constable Ward was serving with the Eleventh Australian Police Element in Cyprus. Whilst travelling in a Land Rover near Lefka the vehicle hit a landmine. As a result Constable Ward was killed and Constable 1st Class John Woolcott was seriously injured. The Constable was born in 1949 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April 1968. At the time of his death he was stationed in Cyprus.
On this day
12 November 1972
New South Wales
About 11am on 23 October 1972 Senior Constable Parker was driving a Police Special Traffic Patrol vehicle in Rocky Point Road Sans Souci. Near Fraters Avenue the vehicle hit a wet greasy patch on the roadway skidded and collided with a light pole. As a result Senior Constable Parker sustained severe internal injuries. He was conveyed to the Sutherland District Hospital where he died on 12 November 1972. The Constable was born in 1937 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 February 1960. At the time of his death he was stationed at Sutherland.
On this day
12 November 1859
Victoria
On 12 November 1859 Senior Constable Moylette was returning from the Brittania Goldfield to the Emerald Police Station when he became lost in the bush. Despite an intensive search he was never located although his troop horse and items of equipment were found where he had abandoned them in the bush.
On this day
12 November 1845
New South Wales
On 12 November, 1845 mounted troopers Corporal Stephen Kirk and Trooper Luke Dunn were riding along the new Wollongong Road through Bottle Forest (now Heathcote). Bushfires were raging in the area and the two troopers were advised by local landowner Mr Nicholson, not to go on due to the danger the fires presented. Ignoring that advice both troopers and an Illawarra publican Mr McCaulay, set out toward the fires. The Sydney Morning Herald of 21 November, 1845 described the events which followed. About an hour after their departure Mr McAulay’s horse came up to the door of Mr Nicholson’s house; McCaulay’s hat was off, he was not holding the reins, and he was much burnt and confused, so that he was only able to request to be lifted off his horse; he said that one of the policemen was burnt. Mr Nicholson most promptly and considerately despatched five or six men to search for, and, if possible, to aid the policemen. After going about three miles they met Luke Dunn crawling along, dreadfully burnt, on his hands and knees, and scarcely able to move. The men carried him back to the house, while others went on to the place where Dunn said he had left the remains of Kirk, burnt and quite dead. His hands were extended upwards as if in the act of praying; both horses were dead. Dunn said that seeing his comrade’s firearms go off, he returned to go after him, and in doing so got to much burnt, otherwise his injuries would have been comparatively trifling. Stephen Kirk was burned to death in the fire, while the gallant and courageous Luke Dunn who, in the greatest of Australian traditions “went back for his mate”, lingered for nine days before he finally succumbed, no doubt in extreme agony. The scene of the incident was present-day Heathcote. At the times of their deaths both troopers were seconded soldiers attached to the Mounted Police Force and were stationed at Campbelltown. Stephen Kirk was aged 32 years and Luke Dunn was aged 33 years.
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