Albany officers come together for National Police Remembrance Day to remember officers who gave their lives

Albany police officers gathered on Tuesday morning to remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty in honour of National Police Remembrance Day.

The pews of St John’s Church on York Street were full of uniformed police officers, family members of past and current serving officers, dignitaries and fellow emergency services personnel for the annual National Police Remembrance Day service as locals stopped to pay tribute to those on the honour roll.

Great Southern Supt Jon Munday gave the opening address, saying while the national day of recognition was important to remember those who had died, it was also a time to express gratitude to the officers who put themselves on the line daily to do their jobs, and their families who supported them.

“Each name recorded on the honour roll represents more than just a police officer,” he said.

“It represents a son, a daughter, a husband or a wife, a mother or a father, a colleague, a friend, a member of the community, a member of the football club, or just someone who lived next door.

“While the circumstances of their deaths may differ, they are all unified of a common willingness to serve others and serve the community, and accept the risks that came with that service.”

He said the Great Southern district was not untouched by tragedy among its ranks, naming eight officers on the honour roll who had lost their lives while serving around the region.

“These officers served in many different eras and in many different situations, yet each answered a call for service,” he said.

“Their sacrifices are woven into our history of the WA Police and particularly the region of the Great Southern.

“Each day, officers from across the State leave their homes and families prepared to face the uncertainty of what the day is going to entail.

“They respond to incidents that are complex, volatile, and sometimes very dangerous.

“They run towards situations when most people would be running the other way.

“They do not so for recognition, but they do so as in a deep commitment to protecting others.”

Sgt Peter Yuswak read the police prayer, and Albany officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia read the police Ode before wreaths were laid in honour of fallen officers.

Alongside the host of wreaths, officers laid down four symbolic offerings that represent the different kinds of police work: a pair of handcuffs to represent the overall fight against crime, police caps to represent frontline officers, a police radio to represent the importance of communication between police and community, and the WA Police Force values.

The full honour roll was read aloud to the congregation, recalling the name of each WA police officer who had given their life in the line of duty from 1834 until 2026, and commemorating each of their service.

The Brig Amity was also lit up in blue as a mark of respect on Monday night.