Police pause to remember fallen colleagues
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart paused today to pay tribute to the 140 fallen Queensland Police Service Officers on National Police Remembrance Day.
At a service held as St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane, Commissioner Stewart highlighted the inherent risks faced by police officers everyday as they provide for the safety and security of Queensland and acknowledged the tireless work of all QPS members, across a diverse state.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as we honour their memories on National Police Remembrance Day,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“The QPS operates 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year; and we have at least 15,000 interactions with the public every day, with each police officer swearing an oath to protect and serve the community,” Commissioner Stewart said
“There are times however, when no matter how dedicated, committed and courageous our officers are, they face unbeatable odds.
“Police Remembrance Day not only allows us to pay tribute to such officers but it presents an opportunity to recognise the bravery and dedication of past and present officers.”
This year also marks the anniversary of the deaths of the following police officers, whom we honour and remember:
- 130 years since the death of Constable John Stewart who died from injuries sustained after being kicked by a horse on October 5, 1885
- 120 years since Constable Thomas Black drowned while moving horses across the Warrego River at Charleville on January 24, 1895
- 120 years since Constable William Clarke died after accidently discharging his own weapon at Hughenden on October 12, 1895
- 110 years since Constable Robert Orme died after a riding accident at Southport on December 24, 1905
- 100 years since Constable William Harris died at Rockhampton after a riding accident near Gacemere on August 24, 1915
- This year marks 100 years since the deaths of eight officers who died on active service during the First World War, we remember:
- Constable Patrick Moynihan
- Constable David Bourke
- Constable William Hughes
- Constable John Johnston
- Constable Robert Ritchie
- Constable Phillip Vowles
- Constable Eugene Nugent and
- Constable John Christiansen
- 40 years since Sergeant 2/c Richard Harris was killed in a traffic incident near Eulo on March 26, 1975
- 10 years since Senior Constable Sally Urquhart was killed in a plane crash at Lockhart River while on route to Townsville on May 7, 2005
- And, 10 years since Senior Constable Christopher Barwise was killed in a motorcycle incident south of Sarina on July 19, 2005
Services, Marches and Vigils have been held throughout the State to honour colleagues.
Blue ribbons are available from any police station for a small donation and the proceeds will go towards charities, Queensland Police Legacy and Community Supporting Police.
As we honour 50 years of women in policing, we paid our respects to the only two female QPS officers to have been killed in the line of duty, with posters of hand-drawn portraits by Senior Constable Kelly Womersley.
Constable Sondra Lena was killed after she was struck by a motor vehicle while on traffic duty on the Bruce Highway near Rockhampton on April 10, 1992. Later that year, the QPS Air Wing named one of its craft, a Cessna Caravan, the ‘Sondra Lena’ in her honour. Sondra is one of only two female QPS officers killed in the line of duty.
Ten years on, the Queensland Police Service remembers the loss of Constable Sally Urquhart, last stationed at Bamaga Police Station, who was killed in a plane crash near the Lockhart River while en route to Townsville for policing commitments on 7 May 2005. Sally is one of only two female QPS officers killed in the line of duty.
