National Police Remembrance Day: Albany pauses to honour police personnel lost in the line of duty

WA Police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty were remembered at a special ceremony on Friday. The names of the 89 officers and aides were read out at the National Police Remembrance Day service in Albany. The Great Southern police district service was forced inside this year due to wet weather and was held at St John’s Anglican Church on York Street. A strong crowd including the region’s emergency services and City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks paid their respects. National Police Remembrance Day falls on September 29 every year — the Feast of Saint Michael on the Christian calendar. St Michael is recognised as the patron saint of security forces. Sgt Dave Costello led the proceedings and Great Southern Acting Supt Rhonda Alexander spoke of the significance of the day and paying respects to those who tragically were killed while serving the WA Police Force. Menang Noongar elder Lester Coyne gave a welcome to country before chaplain Wayne Warfield read a scripture and prayer followed by intersessions and offerings. Sgt Vaughan MacKay and Sen. Sgt Craig Wasley then read out the names of the men and women on the honour role, including several who lost their lives in the Great Southern. The police ode was followed by a wreath laying ceremony, led by Act. Supt Alexander. Various representatives from emergency services and related agencies went forward to also lay wreaths before the playing of the Last Post. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Australian national anthem.