Serving and former police officers, family members and members of Mudgee’s emergency services attended a National Police Remembrance Day service at St John’s Anglican Church in Mudgee. 

National Police Remembrance Day falls on September 29  each year and gives police forces within Australasia the opportunity to honour officers who have sacrificed their lives in the course of their duties. 

Fr David Craig said every morning, we wake up to some sort of incident on the news.

“And every time we know that there are police officers there,” he said.  “It’s not just nine to five with an hour for lunch, it’s 24/7.” 

Fr David said as well as keeping the community safe, police officers set an example to others through their service to the community. 

“These are very special people.  We can praise God we have them,” he said. 

Mudgee LAC officers lit a candle for each of the police officers and civilian employees who have died in the past year.   The church bell tolled once as each name was read. 

Mudgee LAC Commander Superintendent Anthony Joice read the speech given by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione at a service occurring at the same time in the Domain in Sydney. 

Commissioner Scipione’s message recalled in particular NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng, who was shot as he was leaving the NSW Police Headquarters at Parramatta almost a year ago, and Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, who was killed in a car crash while going to the assistance of colleagues. 

“The circumstances in which their deaths occurred bring into sharp focus the challenges that police face and fragility of their existence,” Commissioner Scipione said. 

Commissioner Scipione said police were proud to honour the 254 men and women who have died in the service of the state in the history of NSW Police. 

“While we who still serve are poorer for your passing, we are richer for your service,” he said. 

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