Australians across the state on Friday paused to remember the 273 officers of the NSW Police Force who had lost their lives on duty, as part of National Police Remembrance Day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In Gunnedah, officers in the NSW Police Force's Oxley district, community members and local councillors came together at the Anglican church for a ceremony.
Oxley Police District acting Superintendent Kylie Endemi spoke to the attendees about the significance of the day and the "unspeakable sacrifice" the fallen had made.
"Each name [is a] solemn reminder that a peaceful society is not something we should ever take for granted," Ms Endemi said.
"Thank you to the officers of the Oxley Police District who continue to be inspired by the sacrifice of our mates, and take up the burden of your oath of office so that we can all live in a society that is free from violence, crime and fear."
Read also:
The Gunnedah crowd was asked to remember Sabine Altmann, who lost her life in 2011, and Senior Constable David Rixon, who was shot in 2012.
Further afield, Constable Timothy David Proctor was remembered across the state today and added to the Wall of Remembrance in Sydney, after he lost his life on February 3 this year.
Senior Sergeant Victor Kostiuk and Leading Senior Constable Keith Patterson from the Victoria police were also killed on duty in September 2018. There were also four historic additions to the Honour Roll and the National Police Memorial.
The agenda also included a flag party and a welcome from police chaplain Father Anthony Koppman.
Numerous members of the force said a prayer for the families, friends and colleagues of officers killed on duty, and for officers currently injured or in ill health.
The ceremony ended with Gunnedah Police's Inspector Michael Wurth reading the full honour roll of those who had died, laying of wreaths, and the reading of the police ode by Inspector Robert Dunn.
Inspector Wurth told the Namoi Valley Independent it was important to remember the service the fallen officers had given.
"It's also important to acknowledge the support they were given by their families ... so this is a solemn occasion for us every year," he said.
"It was a nice turn-out of the community, particularly. That's who we turn up for work for every day, but also to get that support [from officers] across the district is great."
Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM addressed a Sydney crowd at the Police Wall of Remembrance today, saying the day was about "standing in solidarity with [the lost's] loved ones who will always be part of our blue family".
"Today, rank has no meaning; commissioner or constable, we stand side by side in support of all those who have lost a loved one, a friend or a teammate, and honour their integrity, loyalty and commitment to duty," he said.