Officers killed in line of duty honoured on National Police Remembrance Day
An emotional service in Canberra for National Police Remembrance Day has honoured officers who have died in the line of duty, with new touchstones displaying the names of four officers added to the National Police Memorial.
On National Police Remembrance Day, police officers marched through Canberra to honor those who have died while performing their duties. The 2026 ceremony took place on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, where crowds gathered to pay tribute. Four new names have been added to the National Police Memorial, recognizing officers who lost their lives in despicable circumstances while serving their communities.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn spoke at the emotional service, highlighting the selfless and brave actions of these officers. The procession consisted of about 300 officers on foot, horseback, and motorbikes, making their way from the Australian Federal Police headquarters to the memorial. Tearing family members laid wreaths at the national monument, paying their respects to the fallen officers.
New touchstones displaying the names of four officers – Victoria Police Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, Western Australia Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge, and retired New South Wales Sergeant Mark Bransgrove – were added to the National Police Memorial. Sergeant Bransgrove passed away from cancer attributed to his service, while Detective Thompson and Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart were gunned down in August 2025.
Acting AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney emphasized the day as a moment of mourning and tribute to the officers who selflessly and bravely served their communities. He acknowledged the presence of loved ones and colleagues who were not there last year, expressing the shared burden of grief. The death of Sydney Constable Mia Lay, a 20-year-old officer who was killed in a police car crash, was also mourned.
Her family shared their heartbreak and how much Mia loved being a police officer. It is hoped that her name will be formally added to the National Police Memorial next year. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Police Memorial, with the number of names inscribed growing from 719 to 836 since its unveiling.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Police charge train driver over crash that killed 16 women in Bekasi thejakartapost.com
