Honoring Fallen Officers on Police Remembrance Day

Police officers and their families will gather at services around the country today to mark National Police Remembrance Day.

A service will be held at the NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance in The Domain, to honour the 284 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Following the analysis of historical records an additional eight officers will be added to the NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance.

Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, Premier of NSW, The Honourable Chris Minns, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Honourable Yasmin Catley MP will join NSW Acting NSW Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell for the service.

This year is expected to be a particularly sombre occasion following the shooting deaths of two police officers in Victoria last month, and the murder of a Tasmanian police officer in June.

Premier of NSW, The Honourable Chris Minns said Police Remembrance Day is a time of reflection for police officers and their families.

"Today, we honour the extraordinary men and women of the NSW Police Force who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe.

"Each name on the Wall of Remembrance is a story of service, courage and loss that can never be forgotten.

"The addition of eight names this year - some more than 100 years since they passed - is a powerful reminder that no matter how much time passes, we will always stand with our officers and their families."

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said Police Remembrance Day was one of the most important days on the police calendar.

"Today we take time to stop, reflect and honour the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving their community," Minister Catley said.

"Policing is a job like no other. Every officer who wears the uniform knows the risks, yet they step forward with courage and commitment to keep us safe."

"This year, the names of eight officers are being added to the Wall of Remembrance. Some of these lives were lost more than a century ago, but their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"To the families of fallen officers: your grief is shared, your loved ones' sacrifice is remembered and their legacy will always endure."

Acting Police Commissioner Thurtell said while no police officers lost their lives in NSW while undertaking their duties in the past 12 months, the Force still felt the loss of three interstate colleagues.

"The fatal shooting of Tasmanian Constable Keith Smith and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart of Victoria Police brings home the dangers that police across Australia face every day," Acting Police Commissioner Thurtell said.

"This year the NSW Police Force pays special tribute to eight NSW officers who have lost their lives in service but who had not been previously recognised on the NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance.

"Whilst adding these names may be long overdue it also shows we never forget our fallen officers no matter how long the passage of time has been."

The eight officers added to the memorial include:

  • Const James Coady – 12 June 1870
  • Sgt 2/C Thomas Devonald – 19 July 1873
  • Const Walter Tombs – 25 November 1897
  • Const 1/C William Hamilton Pearce – 13 December 1898
  • Sgt 2/C Alfred Francis Stone – 14 May 1899
  • Sgt 2/C Joseph Wirrell – 18 September 1899
  • Const George Shiell – 7 December 1912
  • Sen Const Stephen Nixon – 24 November 2019
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