Tribute to fallen heroes

The bravery, courage and dedication of police officers were recognised at a moving ceremony to mark National Police Remembrance Day in Albany last Friday.

Great Southern police officers stopped and paid their respects to colleagues killed in the line of duty, while the role of current police officers was also praised during the service.

Great Southern police district Superintendent Dominic Wood opened the ceremony and said the day was an opportunity to reflect on the attributes which made police officers vital to the protection of the community.

“Policing is a unique job,” he said.

“The last few days has made me particularly proud of the resolve and ongoing commitment my officers have to the community.

“I can’t think of a more truer definition of a hero.”

Three officers in the Great Southern are among 80 serving officers in the WA Police force who have lost their lives since 1834. The region’s last officer to lose his life was Denmark-raised Detective Senior Constable Charles Scott, 39, who was killed in an aircraft crash in Waychinnicup in March, 1996, while conducting a drug surveillance operation.

Constable Colin Cusack, 27, was shot in the head in 1968 in Spencer Park, and 11 years later, Mt Barker First Class Constable William Pense was murdered by Donald Parre in South Stirling.

Inspector Danny Vincent read the names of the fallen officers before a wreath-laying ceremony and the Last Post was sounded across Stirling Terrace.