Local police will be attending a service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Friday morning to mark National Police Remembrance Day in honour of their fallen colleagues.
The Geelong service will be held from 10am, in conjunction with many other regional Victoria services including in Colac, Ballarat and Bannockburn.
National Police Remembrance Day coincides with Blue Ribbon Day, an initiative of the Blue Ribbon Foundation which raises money for new and improved emergency facilities in Victorian public hospitals that are then named in memory of fallen officers.
“Every year on National Police Remembrance Day we pause to reflect and remember our brave colleagues who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said.
“This year in addition to honouring the 175 Victoria Police officers who lost their lives we pay tribute to police across Australia and from the South West Pacific with a wreath in their honour,” he said.
“When a police officer dies in the line of duty the impact is felt across every force and unites us all.
“This year we have been deeply saddened by the loss of police in Queensland, Western Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the thousands of dedicated police who wear the uniform every day and make the choice to serve the community.
“We will never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting the community.”
The largest service will be held at the St Kilda Road memorial and for the first time a wreath will be laid in honour of police who lost their lives serving in forces interstate and in the South West Pacific.
