Police officers who have lost their lives while protecting the community will today be honoured on National Police Remembrance Day.
Member for Epping Dominic Perrottet urged the community to take a moment to reflect and honour the sacrifice made by officers who lost their lives while performing their duties.
“Today is a solemn day to remember the extreme sacrifice made by police officers who have lost their lives while serving and protecting the community,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We need to acknowledge our local police officers for the valuable work they do every day to make our community a safer place. They do this without knowing the dangers they may face or whether they will make it home safely at the end of the day.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott MP said the community owes a great deal to police officers who have chosen a career in policing knowing the inherent risks that they face in their careers.
“Today is a day for the entire police family and community to come together and remember those officers who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives while performing their duty,” Mr Elliott said.
“It is also a day to acknowledge our serving men and women in blue. Officers make a choice to turn up each day in service to the community, no matter what dangers they may face.
“As a community we need to acknowledge the vital work they do.”
The NSW Police Force began in 1862, and since that time 273 police officers have died in the line of duty. Their names are etched on the Police Wall of Remembrance in the Domain.
National Police Remembrance Day services are being held throughout the state in the week leading up to 29 September.