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
19 February 1971
Victoria
About 5.40 a.m. Friday 19 February 1971 Constable Fleming was the observer in a police divisional van travelling along the Boulevard Kew. The vehicle ran off the road crashed through a fence and plunged down an embankment. Fleming received massive head injuries and died instantly.
On this day
19 February 1962
Queensland
On 19 February 1962 Constable Olive went to premises at Kelvin Grove to make a routine investigation into wilful damage to property. The suspect was a naturalised Australian named Piotr Michalewicz who had spend 11 years in the Polish Army many of which had been spend in Stalag Camps during World War II as a prisoner of war. Michalewicz was terrified of persons in authority or anyone in uniform as a result of inhuman treatment in the concentration camps. After Constable Olive had knocked on the door it was flung open and Olive was shot in the chest at near point blank range with a.303 rifle. He staggered backwards to the footpath and then collapsed. An Army medical officer was at the scene and saw the incident but wasn’t able to assist Olive as he died instantly. Other Police arrived and there was a shoot out before police stormed the house to take the man into custody. Sergeant S.A. Walker was awarded the George Medal for his actions in apprehending Michalewicz. Michalewicz was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and died in Bogga Road jail in 1985. Constable First Class G.J. Olive is buried in Brisbane’s Toowong cemetery.
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