Arabic version: مراسم في كانبيرا تُكرّم ضباط الشرطة الذين سقطوا أثناء الخدمة

According to ABC News, police officers marched through Canberra as crowds gathered beside Lake Burley Griffin for the 2026 National Police Remembrance Day service. Flags at the National Police Memorial flew at half-mast as four new names were enshrined on touchstones before Tuesday afternoon’s ceremony.

The newly honoured officers included Victoria Police Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were fatally shot by Dezi Freeman at Porepunkah in north-east Victoria in August 2025. Western Australia Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge, who died in May after a crash while travelling to work, and retired New South Wales Sergeant Mark Bransgrove, who died from cancer attributed to his service, were also remembered.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said Thompson and de Waart-Hottart were killed in “despicable circumstances” while carrying out their duties. She said the stories shared at the service represented “only a tiny part of four remarkable lives”. About 300 officers travelling on foot, horseback and motorbikes made a solemn procession from Australian Federal Police headquarters to the memorial, where family members laid wreaths.

Acting AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney described the day as one of mourning and tribute for “the selfless and the brave”. The service also included tributes to Sydney Constable Mia Lay, who was killed in a police car crash the previous week. Ms Mostyn said Lay was 20 and had served with the New South Wales Police Force for 16 months. Her name is expected to be formally added to the memorial next year.

The Canberra monument marked two decades since it was unveiled. Over that period, the number of names inscribed on the National Police Memorial has grown from 719 to 836.