Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, the Honourable Mark Ryan MP, joined Commissioner Katarina Carroll yesterday in a service to honour fallen police officers for National Police Remembrance Day.
The small but significant service at the Police Memorial in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens involved police joining the families of serving police officers who have lost their lives.
National Police Remembrance Day falls on September 29 each year and is heralded with commemorative services throughout Queensland and Australia.
Commissioner Carroll said this was an important day for the families, friends and colleagues of officers who had died.
“The death of an officer is felt deeply – by their families and friends, and also by their colleagues, members of the police family and the wider community,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“Today, we pause and reflect on the memories of those officers who have died too soon, from those who passed in the early days of the Queensland Police Service to those who have only recently left us.”
Commissioner Katarina Carroll speaks at the memorial service in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.
“This year, unfortunately, we have lost a friend and colleague in Senior Constable Dave Masters, who died in the line of duty. We have also lost many other members of our police family, and their loss is felt strongly by those of us left behind.
“While today’s service will no doubt be a painful milestone for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved QPS member, it is important that we all take the time to remember them and their service to the people of Queensland.
“I stand in solidarity with Police Legacy and Communities Supporting Police in grieving with the families of all our fallen officers.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister Ryan also joined Commissioner Carroll in honouring officers in a candlelight vigil in Brisbane on Tuesday (September 28) evening.
Minister Ryan and Commissioner Carroll joined in solemn contemplation with representatives from the families of Queensland Police officers at the dusk service, lighting candles in memoriam.
The vigil at the Police Memorial in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is held on the eve of National Police Remembrance Day, a day dedicated to honouring the memory of officers who have been killed in the line of duty, and those whose death did not occur as a result of their duty.
Commissioner Carroll said the vigil was a sombre and significant way to commemorate those officers who have lost their lives.
“This vigil is an important event – it’s an opportunity to come together to remember those we have lost,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“Our police community has recently felt tremendous loss with the tragic death of Senior Constable Dave Masters, and it is critical that we continue to support one another as we encounter milestones like today.
“Through this tradition, we ensure that these officers, their loyalty to their communities and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Blue ribbons and memorial pins are available from police stations around Queensland for a small donation to Queensland Police Legacy and Community Supporting Police.
