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An emotional service in Canberra for National Police Remembrance Day has honoured officers who have died in the line of duty, with new touchstones displaying the names of four officers added to the National Police Memorial.
Flags at the National Police Memorial in Canberra were flown at half-mast for National Police Remembrance Day. Police officers have marched through Canberra to honour those who have died in the line of duty.
Crowds gathered on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin for the 2026 National Police Remembrance Day service. Police officers who died in the line of duty have been honoured at an emotional service in Canberra for National Police Remembrance Day. New touchstones displaying the names of four officers were added to the National Police Memorial in advance of the ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
Victoria Police Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-HottartVictoria Police Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was one of two officers fatally shot by Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah in 2025. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who spoke at the ceremony, said the officers were killed in "despicable circumstances" while carrying out their duties.
Western Australia Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge, who died in May after a crash on her way to work, and retired New South Wales Sergeant Mark Bransgrove, who died from cancer attributed to his service, have also been remembered. Officers marched from AFP headquarters to the National Police Memorial on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. A solemn procession of about 300 officers on foot, horseback, and motorbikes made the pilgrimage from the Australian Federal Police headquarters to the memorial.
Acting AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney said it was a day of mourning and a chance to pay tribute to "the selfless and the brave". Family members of officers killed in the line of duty attended the National Police Remembrance Day service.
"I can see that there are loved ones and colleagues here who were not here last year, and we know what that means," he said. "We will share the burden of grief with you, and importantly, we will share the incredible and inspiring lives of those who will live forever as heroes in our country.
"Sydney Constable Mia Lay, who was killed in a police car crash last weekGovernor-General Sam Mostyn paid tribute to New South Wales Constable Mia Lay, who died in a police car crash last week. "Mia was 20 years old, a tender young age, and had only served with the New South Wales Police Force for 16 months," Ms Mostyn said. Acting Commissioner McCartney said her death was "heartbreaking" and cast a long shadow over the proceedings.
"It is another example of the arbitrary cruelty of service when our members are taken from us too young and too soon," he said. ABC News: Ian CutmoreThis year marks two decades since the monument was unveiled in Canberra.
National Police Remembrance Day Service Porepunkah
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