A service was held in Shepparton’s Monash Park to recognise National Police Remembrance Day on September 29.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The two police officers killed at Porepunkah last month were among those honoured at a National Police Remembrance Day service in Shepparton’s Monash Park on September 29.
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Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart’s names have been added to Victoria Police memorial honour wall.
Constable Damian Eyre’s relatives Teddy, 1, and Hazel, 3, Kearney at the Shepparton service. Constable Eyre was killed, aged 20, during Melbourne’s infamous Walsh St police shootings in 1988, alongside his partner, Steven Tynan, 22.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
They are among 178 police officers who have died while serving since the force was established in 1853.
Police Chaplain David Doherty addresses the crowd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton police Acting Superintendent Anna Parkinson said at Monday morning’s service that law enforcement was a unique profession where pride in service and dedication to duty should be promoted to foster a sense of camaraderie among officers throughout Australasia, the South Pacific and beyond.
“The National Remembrance Day for police officers killed in the line of duty encourages police officers and their family to honour the memory of the colleagues who have given their lives in service to the community,” Acting Superintendent Parkinson said.
“It focuses public attention on men and women of police services throughout Australia, whose responsibilities are to engage public peace and good order. It reminds us of all the difficulties they face in bearing these responsibilities.”
Several Shepparton police officers were involved in the service.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Names of police officers who died in the line of duty in the South West Pacific region and other Australian jurisdictions in the past year were read before the 11 Victoria Police members, including police officers, protective security officers, police custody officers, Victorian Police Service employees and police chaplains, were listed.
The historical death of Constable Patrick Whyte, who died after becoming seriously ill while on a drill at the Russell St barracks on November 20, 1866, was also added to the memorial’s honour wall this year.
Wreaths were then laid by City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, state Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, and Acting Superintendent Parkinson and Acting Brad Fisher on behalf of Victoria Police.
The Police Ode, a minute’s silence, a rendition of The Last Post and a prayer rounded out the service, before the crowd of around 100 was invited to the adjacent Shepparton Senior Citizens’ rooms for morning tea.
The lights at Eastbank, Victoria Park Lake and the Mooroopna water tower will shine blue this week in further respect to fallen members.
Dignitaries in the crowd prepare to lay memorial wreaths at the service.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
National Police Remembrance Day coincides with Blue Ribbon Day, a Blue Ribbon Foundation initiative that 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, visit the Victoria Police website.
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