Each year on September 29, vigils, services and marches are held across the country to commemorate National Police Remembrance Day to remember and honour all police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Today marks the 35-year anniversary and one of the most significant days on the Queensland policing calendar as the state pay its respects to the 150 Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers who lost their lives in service to our community.
Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius said that no greater sacrifice can be asked for, or made, than that of the fine men and women we acknowledge each year.
“Sadly, this year, we will be remembering Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow from the QPS, and Constable Anthony Woods from Western Australia Police Force whose tragic deaths were felt nationwide,” Assistant Commissioner Schafferius said.
“Most of the jobs that we go to are just run of the mill jobs out there helping the community. But by the very nature of policing, and the unpredictability of what we face, is never far from anyone’s mind, fate will intervene and no matter how well prepared we are, how well equipped or trained, fate will conspire against us.”
“The service we held in Innisfail this morning was incredibly well attended by the community, government agencies and police officers. It was heartening to see a number of retired police who are travelling around Australia, enjoying their retirement, yet they stopped and spent time with us, just to remember their colleagues from their states, that they had lost themselves.”
“Police go about their duties every single day of the year, without looking for any sort of accolades or even a thank you for what they do.”
“Today of all days, it’s that one opportunity for the community to say thank you to the men and women that are out there, every single day, for the community here in Far North Queensland.
“We have officers working day in and day out with just one thing on their mind and that is to keep this community as safe as humanly possible.
“No matter what the weather, circumstances, situation, time of day or night, there are police out there on the road, doing their very best to make our communities as safe as humanly possible and its important that they are acknowledged and remembered for the work they continue to do.”
Police across the far north are extremely grateful for our community support and acknowledge the sacrifice made by officers who have lost their lives in service to our community is never forgotten.
