Tomorrow, members of the Northern Territory Police Force will gather to observe the 24th anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day.
National Police Remembrance Day commemorates Police Officers throughout Australasia and the South-West-Pacific region who were killed in the line of duty, or died whilst serving.
Commissioner of Police, John McRoberts, APM will be attending the service in Darwin tomorrow.
“Police Remembrance Day is a day when all members of the Northern Territory Police Force, both serving and retired, their families and the wider community pause and reflect on the dangers of Police work,” said Commissioner John McRoberts, APM.
“Each and every day, Police Officers put on their uniform and head to work with no knowledge of what they might encounter that day. The same can be said for their families who wave them off assuming they will return home safely at the end of their shift.
“Sadly, the Northern Territory Police Force has lost eight Territory Police officers, killed in the line of duty.
“The last officer killed on duty in the Territory was Brevet Sergeant Glen Huitson in 1999.
“I would like to invite all members of the public to join with Police Officers and commemorate Police Remembrance Day in services to be held across the Territory.
“I also encourage the community to support the Police Marches being held in Alice Springs and Darwin. There is nothing more rewarding as a Police Officer than seeing that show of support from the community they serve,” Police Commissioner John McRoberts said.
National Police Remembrance Day services will be held in all major centres throughout the Northern Territory on Friday 27 September, 2013.
Darwin
St. Mary Star of the Sea Cathedral Smith Street Darwin City, commencing at 9:45am.
A march to escort the Police Colour Party will commence at 9:30am from Darwin Police Station along Mitchell Street to St Mary’s Cathedral to the ceremony.
Alice Springs
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, commencing 10am.
A march to escort the Police Colour Party will begin at 9:30am from the Alice Springs Police Station along Hartley Street to the Church.
Katherine
At the gravesite of Constable Bill Condon, Katherine Cemetery commencing at 9am.
Tennant Creek
At the gravesite of Sergeant Shane Kappler, Tennant Creek Cemetery commencing at 9am.
Nhulunbuy
At the grounds of Nhulunbuy Police Station, Matthew Flinders Way commencing at 10am.
National Police Remembrance Day Ribbons are available at Police Stations for a gold coin donation. All proceeds go to Police Legacy.
Editors Notes:
This year, the following Police Officers were killed or died whilst serving:
New South Wales
Inspector Bryson Charles Anderson VA, was stabbed to death in a siege at Oakville NSW on 6 December 2012. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner's Valour Award.
Queensland
Constable Casey Blain died on 29 March 2013 as a result of a single vehicle traffic crash approximately 15km east of Georgetown in Far North Queensland.
Inspector David Andrew Stevenson passed away on 7 May 2013 whilst on duty, as a result of a medical condition.
Papua New Guinea
Probationary Constable David Opa, who had been only seven months in Police service, was shot and killed on 8 July 2013 whilst in pursuit of a gang of armed criminals in Alotau, Milne Bay Province.
