Three police officers who were tragically shot dead in the line of duty this year are being honored as part of National Police Remembrance Day services across Australia. This national day serves as a solemn occasion to pay tribute to the courage, commitment, and dedication of all police officers who protect the community.
Commemorations have taken place around the country, culminating in a national service in Canberra this afternoon. The event began with a march from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) headquarters in Barton to the National Police Memorial. According to the AFP, this year’s commemoration holds a “heightened and sombre significance” following the recent brutal murder of two Victoria Police members in Porepunkah.
Honoring the Fallen: Names Added to the Memorial
The names of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart will be added to the National Police Memorial in Canberra next year. However, one touchstone will be added this year, commemorating Tasmania Police member Constable Keith Anthony Smith, who was fatally shot while serving a court-issued warrant in June.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw emphasized the importance of the day, stating, “Policing offers unique challenges and sometimes means the brave, selfless men and women who serve do not go home to their families. We honor not only Constable Keith Smith, as well as Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, but all police officers immortalized at the National Police Memorial through our daily actions keeping the Australian community safe.”
Impact of the Victorian Officers’ Deaths
In Melbourne, the recent deaths of the two Victorian Police officers loomed large over Monday’s ceremony. The officers were fatally shot by alleged gunman Dezi Freeman while attempting to execute a search warrant in the state’s Alpine region. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged the families and loved ones of the officers present, stating, “None of us will forget the events of 26 August 2025 in Porepunkah when two of our very brave, courageous officers had their lives taken.”
Currently, more than 200 police officers are dedicated to the search for Dezi Freeman, down from about 500 in the aftermath of the shooting. Despite hundreds of public tip-offs and a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest, authorities have had no confirmed sightings of Freeman.
Tributes Across the Nation
Tasmania’s Tribute to Constable Smith
Family and colleagues of Tasmanian Constable Smith, including Tasmania’s Police Commissioner Donna Adams, attended the national ceremony in Canberra. At a separate ceremony at the Tasmania Police Academy, Sergeant Adam “Rex” Eastley, who died suddenly in April, was also remembered. Deputy Commissioner Higgins reflected on the loss, stating, “We don’t want to lose anybody, not one police officer while working and serving the community, but sadly it does happen, and when it does happen it’s important that we come together to remember.”
New South Wales Memorial Additions
In Sydney, the names of eight more NSW Police Force members killed in the line of duty have been added to the Wall of Remembrance this year. Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell remarked on the significance of these additions, saying, “The 284 names on the wall are a reminder of the toll policing can take on officers, their families, and friends.”
Remembering Constable Johnston in the Northern Territory
In Darwin, past and present police officers marched through the CBD before arriving at St Mary’s Cathedral for an official service. Acting Commissioner Martin Dole highlighted the impact of Constable Johnston’s death, stating, “Constable Johnston exemplified what it was to be a community police officer. He started as an Aboriginal community police officer and served over 16 years in the NT Police Force and dedicated himself to service.”
Reflecting on the Sacrifices
Hundreds of people attended the National Police Remembrance Day service in Brisbane at the city’s Botanic Gardens. Dignitaries, including Premier David Crisafulli and Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, laid floral tributes in honor of officers who had died. Commissioner Gollschewski emphasized the importance of the day, stating, “It is a chance for us to pause, reflect, and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by those who have come before us and remember their dedication and commitment to keeping communities near and far safe.”
The annual event serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by police officers across Australia, as well as the ongoing challenges and dangers they face in their line of duty. As communities come together to honor these fallen heroes, the importance of supporting and understanding the unique pressures of policing is underscored, ensuring that the legacies of those who have passed are forever preserved.
