On this day
Constable
Donald A STEWART
YEAR OF DEATH
18 August 1951
JURISDICTION
Western Australia
DETAILS OF DEATH
Killed in a traffic accident. He joined the Police Service on the 24th of December 1941.
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
18 August 1951
Western Australia
Killed in a traffic accident. He joined the Police Service on the 24th of December 1941.
On this day
18 August 1859
Victoria
On the evening of Wednesday 17 February 1858 a Constable arrested John Rutledge at the Star of the West Hotel Belfast for being drunk and disorderly. Rutledge resisted and struck the policeman who called on Sergeant Dodds for assistance. The two officers then subdued him and started to lead him back to the Watch House. As they walked along Sackville Street Rutledge took a bowie knife from his pocket and stabbed Dodds in the abdomen. He was charged with wounding the Sergeant and was tried at the Belfast General Sessions on 12 May 1858. He was found not guilty on the grounds of insanity and was committed to the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. Sergeant Dodds never recovered from the injury and his condition steadily declined. He died on 18 August 1859 almost 12 months after his assailant had been pronounced “no longer insane” and released from custody.
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