On 27 September 2024, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) joined law enforcement agencies across the nation to observe National Police Remembrance Day, paying tribute to officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Held annually on 29 September, this solemn day is dedicated to commemorating officers from Australia and the South West Pacific who were killed while on duty or as a result of their duties. It serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers faced by police in their everyday work, and the unique challenges of their profession.
Memorial services are held nationwide to honour the fallen officers and acknowledge the profound impact their deaths have had on families, friends, and communities.
In 2024, five new names will be inscribed on the National Police Memorial in Canberra, adding to the growing list of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. These officers are:
- Jason Christopher Doig: On 17 November 2023, South Australia Police Brevet Sergeant Jason Christopher Doig was fatally shot while confronting an armed suspect near the Victorian border in Senior, SA.
- Peter Stone: NSW Police Sergeant Peter Stone tragically drowned on 1 January 2023 after rescuing his son from a riptide at Bogola Beach on the NSW far south coast.
- Glenn Murray: WA Police Force Senior Constable Glenn Murray sustained fatal injuries in a car crash in 1996. He passed away on 2 December 2022, having never fully recovered from the injuries he suffered on Mandurah Road near Singleton, WA.
- Arthur Clapp: Northern Territory Police Mounted Constable Arthur Clapp was shot and killed on 5 November 1927 while arresting a man for the illegal sale of alcohol near Mataranka, NT.
- Thomas McNulty: Northern Territory Mounted Constable Thomas McNulty drowned on 25 November 1917 after falling overboard while escorting witnesses on the sailing vessel ‘Albatross’ in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
These five officers will join 826 others already honoured at the memorial, a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to keep communities safe.
AFP Acting Manager Communications and Customs, Jodie McEwan, reflected on the significance of this day and the addition of the five officers to the National Police Memorial.
“Policing is an extremely rewarding career, but it carries a degree of danger and unpredictability,” Ms McEwan said. “National Police Remembrance Day is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and remember those who served and paid the ultimate price for that service.”
“These five officers symbolise bravery, dedication, and sacrifice. It is important that their memory, along with all those enshrined at the memorial, lives on through our work as we continue to protect communities across Australia.”
National Police Remembrance Day stands as a poignant reminder of the risks police officers face every day and the enduring legacy of those who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
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