National Police Remembrance Day Date in the current year: September 29, 2024

Being a police officer is one of the most dangerous jobs. It involves the increased risk of dying from homicide or being killed in a road accident. While the number of deaths in the line of duty among police officers across Australia and New Zealand is small compared to many other countries, it must be acknowledged that policing is an inherently difficult and dangerous occupation.

National Police Remembrance Day is observed in Australasia and the Pacific on September 29 because it the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas) in Western Christianity; Saint Michael the Archangel is venerated as the patron saint of police officers, paramedics and the military. It honors the memory of serving, retired and former police staff who have died over the past 12 months, with a special focus on those who have been killed in the line of duty.

The National Police Memorial of Australia is located in King’s Park in Canberra. It commemorates all Australian police officers who have died on duty since the death of Joseph Luker in 1803 (Luker was the first Australian policeman to be killed in the line of duty). The memorial was officially dedicated by Australian prime minister John Howard on National Police Remembrance Day in 2006 in the presence of more than 700 police officers from all over the country.

National Police Remembrance Day events include memorial marches and services held across Australia and other countries that mark the day, fundraisers to support police families who have lost a parent or partner, and other commemorative events. The names of police officers who paid the ultimate price while performing their duties are remembered in the Honour Roll.

September 29 is also known as Blue Ribbon Day in Victoria. Blue Ribbon Day is hosted by the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit, community based association that honors and remembers fallen Victoria Police employees by supporting worthwhile community projects in the state of Victoria.

Blue Ribbon Day was launched by the Foundation in 1999 to honor the memory of Senior Constable Rodney Miller and Sergeant Gary Silk who were killed in the line of duty on August 16, 1998. Every September 29, the Blue Ribbon Foundation holds awareness events and fundraisers to support community projects that were founded and named in honor of deceased police officers.

National Police Remembrance Day in Australia, New Zealand and their neighboring countries in the Pacific region is not the world’s only observance dedicated to deceased police officers. For example, National Police Memorial Day in the United Kingdom takes place on the nearest Sunday to September 29, and Peace Officers Memorial Day in the United States is observed on May 15, during Police Week.