ON A beautiful spring afternoon members of the local police force, their family and friends and the public gathered in Saint John’s Anglican Church in Bega to honour those NSW police officers who have died in the line of duty.
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The service began with the distinct sound of the bagpipes signaling the entrance of the Flag Party.
Once the flags were laid, there was a minute’s silence as the congregation bowed their heads and quietly reflected upon the occasion.
After the singing of the National Anthem, Far South Coast police chaplain David Ruthven welcomed those gathered at the church.
The official party consisted of new Bega Valley Shire mayor Mike Britten and FSC Local Area Commander Superintendent Peter O’Brien.
In his address, Superintendent O’Brien said National Police Remembrance Day is a very special day on the NSW Police Force calendar.
“Fortunately no police officers have been lost this year, but when one officer is killed on duty something dies in us all…not just within the police force but in the community.”
Superintendent O’Brien named the five officers who have lost their lives in the local command area - from the murder by bushrangers in 1866 of Constable Miles O’Grady at Nerrigundah to the most recent death in October 1966 of Bega officer Constable Peter Mahon from a motorcycle accident while on patrol.
Since 1862, 252 NSW police have officers have lost their lives while protecting the lives and property of others.
“We cannot and will not forget them,” Superintendent O’Brien said.
“Out of all our fallen they were loved and were friends.”
Superintendent O’Brien said for each one of these deaths a family was changed forever by that loss or sacrifice.
“Your loss touches us all. May your loved ones be forever comforted by your memory.”
Local police formed the official Flag Party and Hat Bearers roles, while readings were delivered by Detective Sergeant Justin Marks, Senior Constables Matt Williams, Vicki Emerton, Mark Jones, Jen Westaway and retired detective inspector Warren Davis.
The service of remembrance concluded with bagpiper John Cross playing once again as the flag party and hat bearers led the congregation from the church.
