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
09 June 1991
Victoria
At 8.20 a.m. Sunday 9 June 1991 Constable McFarlane was driving south along the Hume Freeway near Tallarook. The road surface was slippery and as McFarlane rounded a curve he lost control of the car. The vehicle left the road and hit a tree killing the Constable instantly.
On this day
09 June 1970
Northern Territory
Sergeant Eckert joined the Northern Territory Police on 14 August 1962 and served at Alice Springs and Maranboy. The newly promoted Sergeant was returning from a prisoner escort to Darwin when he was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle near the King River south of Katherine. He died instantly from severe head and internal injuries.
On this day
09 June 1952
Northern Territory
Bill Condon joined the Northern Territory Police on 18 January 1949 and served in Darwin and Maranboy. Constable Condon stationed at Maranboy was in Katherine to help the local police with the crowds at the race meeting. On the evening of 9 June 1952 Condon was dining with his wife in the Katherine Hotel when they heard of a man who had gone berserk with a rifle in the nearby street. Leaving his wife at the Hotel Condon went and confronted Terence Stapleton the armed man who shot the Constable twice: once in the stomach and when he fell again in the thigh. Constable Condon died a short time later. Terence Stapleton was later arrested by Constable Tom Hollow and sent to trial for the murder of Constable Condon. A jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to death: on appeal a new trial was ordered. On this occasion the jury could not come to a conclusion and following a third trial Stapleton was found guilty but insane. He was removed to the custody of Pentridge Gaol. Constable Condon was posthumously awarded the Queens Police and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry. He is buried in the Katherine Cemetery. A plaque at the Katherine Police Station a street in the town and the Police Club remember this brave Constable.
On this day
09 June 1928
Victoria
On the evening of Monday 23 April 1928 Constable Maggs was a passenger in a police motor cycle outfit driven by Constable Skilbeck. They were involved in a collision with a motor car at the intersection of Commercial and St.Kilda Roads. Constable Maggs who was seriously injured in the accident was admitted to the Alfred Hospital. A few days later he was transferred to Melbourne Hospital where he died on the afternoon of Saturday 9 June 1928.
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.
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