Police Remembrance Day has been marked with various ceremonies around Tasmania and Australia today as communities gather to remember fallen officers.
Since records began in 1803, more than 800 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty, each one honored at the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Felix Ellis said the memorial emphasises the bravery and sacrifice of “ordinary people doing the extraordinary” in their efforts to protect their communities.
“Tasmania is a safer place because of our brave Tasmania Police officers and we stand in solidarity to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community,” Minister Ellis said.
“I know as a community we feel a significant loss when a member of our police service passes.”
“I urge all Tasmanians to take a moment today to pause, appreciate and recognise the vital and often dangerous work they do to keep us all safe.”
In the past 12 months, 5 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty or while serving, including 55-year-old Tasmania Police Constable Andrew Loring, who passed away in May.
Queensland Police Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, Western Australian Police Constable Anthony Woods and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Sergeant Terry Giwaya are also among the fallen officers being remembered.
23-year-old Constable Ty Bennett, who died in 1999, was the last Tasmanian police officer to pass away on the job, according to the National Police Remembrance Day website.
“Constable Bennett was driving an unmarked police vehicle which left Colebrook Road near Cambridge and crashed into Duckhole Rivulet,” the website reads.
“The vehicle landed on its roof in shallow water. Constable Bennett the son of then Assistant Commissioner Barry Bennett was responding to an alarm call at Cambridge at the time.”
