National Police Remembrance Day brought together police from across the region last week as well as family members, special guests and members of the public to honour those officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Police also remembered and honoured staff members, retired police and officers who have died off-duty last Thursday, September 29.
The day began with a march from Brisbane Street to St Patrick’s Church where the service was held.
Superintendent Graeme Paine welcomed guests to the service.
“It’s really important, the support we have from our community for our police, it’s something that’s really critical and today is one of those days which is a solemn and reflective day for all police and all of their families,” Supt. Paine said.
Supt. Paine also shared a statement on behalf of Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
“Today is a day of reflection and we stand together and reflect in honour of them and their loved ones and acknowledge the unimaginable loss they have suffered,” Ms Carroll’s statement read.
“All police officers take considerable risks every day to keep our communities safe and this honourable commitment is something that deserves to be recognised, hence the importance of this day for us as a police service.”
The service was attended by special guests including Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.
“It was a pleasure to have the premier there, obviously, and she thought it was an excellent service as well,” Mr Williamson said.
“It’s important for the morale of the police force to know that the community is behind them.
“As with every workforce, but more particularly in the police who do an incredible job, the last thing you want to have happen is for a police officer to go to work and not come home.
“Unfortunately, that does happen, and we’ve recognised, as a community, the police that we’ve lost in our community and in general across Queensland and across Australia.
“That recognition is just for the community to say that the police force is trusted and respected and we really are appreciative of what police officers do in keeping us safe.”
Ms Gilbert said the service was an opportunity to reflect and honour serving police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty and give support to the family and friends of these officers.
“It gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own personal contact with serving officers and the appreciation I have of their day-to-day effort in keeping our community safe, at times at great risk to their own safety,” she said.
A candlelight vigil was also held the night before to remember fallen officers.
