NSW Police Force officers will walk alongside NSW Police Legatees as they climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge today to mark the 30-year anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day.
National Police Remembrance Day is commemorated on the 29th day of September each year and affords police forces within Australasia the opportunity to remember those who have sacrificed their lives in the course of their duties and through injury or illness.
Today (Sunday 29 September 2019) marks the 30-year anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day, and follows a commemorative service held in the Domain, Sydney, on Friday 27 September 2019.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM, will be joined by NSW Police Legacy Chair, Detective Superintendent Gary Merryweather, 14 NSW Police Legatees and eight officers from Police Area Commands across the Central Metropolitan Region and specialist commands, to climb Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge, in memory of all those who have passed.
Commissioner Fuller, together with the officers and Legatees, will observe one minute of silence when they reach the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in honour of National Police Remembrance Day.
"Every day our men and women in blue risk their own lives to serve the community of New South Wales," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Their determination to protect others sometimes has tragic outcomes and our duty is to ensure their courage and selfless action is never forgotten.
"We are a family – and that bond is strongest when we rally together to support one another – and today, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice," Commissioner Fuller said.
Detective Superintendent Gary Merryweather, said National Police Remembrance Day is one of the most significant annual events for the blue family, especially for NSW Police Legatees.
"NSW Police Legacy is proud to honour the history and traditions of the NSW Police Force, by embracing the ongoing camaraderie and unique bond shared across the police family," Det Supt Merryweather said.
"Today is an opportunity for our NSW Police Legatees to be reminded of their place at the heart of the police force, and to remember their loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Each year our police family grows, and we are always grateful for the support we receive from the community and other organisations to help us ensure our Legatees are never in need," Det Supt Merryweather said.
Today's Legatee contingent includes siblings Cain and Olivia Anderson – aged 16 and 22. Cain and Olivia became NSW Police Legatees when their father, Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, was killed on duty on Thursday 6 December 2012, in the Hawkesbury area.
Skye Deutschbein will accompany her two daughters, Ashley and Taylor – aged eight and 10 – in memory of their beloved husband and father, Senior Constable Nathan Deutschbein, from Blue Mountains Police Area Command.
Senior Constable Deutschbein was killed off-duty while hiking in New Zealand on Thursday 29 November 2018.
Siblings Caleb, Bree and Brendan Gardener – aged 10, 11 and 20 – will also join the group in honour of their father, Constable Adam Gardener, from Parramatta Police Area Command, who died from cancer on Saturday 1 March 2014.
The Legatees will be guided up the Southern Pylon of the "coathanger" by Bridge Climb operators, while uniformed officers will climb up the adjacent arch, with assistance from Transport for NSW.
Transport for NSW Director of Security and Critical Infrastructure, Mr Paul Ducker, said the collaboration between agencies is of the upmost importance when it comes to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
"This event was initiated by the strong relationship Transport for NSW and Bridge Climb share with the NSW Police Force and emergency service workers," Mr Ducker said.
"NSW Police play a significant part in protecting the Sydney Harbour Bridge – and today is just one way we can give back to thank our officers for their service, and honour those who we have lost.
"Unfortunately, there are times where NSW Police are required to respond to incidents on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and we are grateful for the ongoing relationship we have with these officers and their role in protecting this iconic landmark," Mr Ducker said.
For more information about NSW Police Legacy, visit https://www.policelegacynsw.org.au/
To mark the 30-year anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day, the Royal Australian Mint, has released a coloured $2 commemorative coin to honour Australia's police forces.
For more information about the commemorative coin, visit https://www.ramint.gov.au/publications/30-years-police-remembrance-commemorated-royal-australian-mint
