The two police tragically killed at Porepunkah will today be honoured in a ceremony recognising all officers whose lives have been lost in the line of duty.
National Police Remembrance Day - observed on 29 September - will see Victoria Police members, family and friends gather with the community to pay their respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
A march and service will be held this morning.
There have been 178 Victoria Police officers killed while serving and protecting the community since the force was established in 1853.
All will never be forgotten.
Sadly, two of the names being added this year to the memorial's honour wall are Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart.
Both officers were shot and killed while executing a search warrant in Porepunkah last month on 26 August.
A historical death is also being added to the memorial's honour wall.
Constable Patrick Whyte died after becoming seriously ill while on a drill at the Russell Street Barracks back on 20 November 1866.
Today and every day, Victoria Police pays tribute to each and every officer whose life has been cut short keeping the community safe.
The commemorative march will commence at Princes Bridge at 10am and proceed down St Kilda Road to the Victoria Police Memorial.
The formal remembrance service will then begin at 10:20am.
The 11 police, protective services officers, police custody officers, Victorian Public Service employees and police chaplains who died through illness or other circumstances in the last year will all be recognised in the commemorations.
Services will also be held today in towns and suburbs across the state including Albury, Ararat, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Boroondara, Doncaster, Hamilton, Horsham, Korumburra, Macleod, Mildura, Rosebud, Seymour, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.
Dates, times and locations for all regional services are listed on the Victoria Police website.
National Police Remembrance Day coincides with Blue Ribbon Day, an initiative of the Blue Ribbon Foundation which raises money for new and improved emergency facilities in Victorian public hospitals.
Equipment is named in memory of fallen officers.
For more information about National Police Remembrance Day, including details of regional services visit https://www.police.vic.gov.au/national-police-remembrance-day-and-memorial
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush:
"When a police officer is killed in the line of duty the impact is felt across every force in Australia.
"Today on National Police Remembrance Day and every day, we pay our respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"We honour and remember the 178 Victoria Police officers who put their lives on the line and tragically died while serving and protecting the community.
"This includes the recent devastating loss of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were shot and killed in Porepunkah. They are deeply missed by us all.
"The bravery, service and commitment of our police to wear the uniform despite the daily risks of the job can never be underestimated.
"We also honour all Victoria Police employees who have lost their lives over the past 12 months through illness or other circumstances.
"Each of them will never be forgotten."
