Acknowledging police sacrifice
People from across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians fringe areas can acknowledge fallen police officers on Tuesday by displaying a special poster available in today’s edition of The Weekly Advertiser.
National Police Remembrance Day, which coincides with the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Blue Ribbon Day, provides an opportunity for the community to thank police officers for their role in protecting the community and to remember members who have died in the line of duty.
Wimmera commemoration activities usually involve a community procession through Horsham’s shopping heart as well as community church and remembrance ceremonies.
But COVID-19 restrictions this year means people will recognise the occasion in different ways, such as displaying the poster at the front of their houses, businesses or other appropriate settings.
Wimmera police Superintendent Ian Milner said Blue Ribbon Day, as well as providing the community with an opportunity to show their respects, was also important to police members.
“National Police Remembrance Day allows police to come together to acknowledge and pay homage to our fallen colleagues,” he said.
“This year remembrance day is
especially important to us with the tragic events occurring on April 22 this year with the loss of Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris.
“It is also particularly important to our members in the Wimmera with the loss of our own Leading Senior Constable Heath Martin earlier this year.
“But of course due to the current restrictions we can’t remember the occasion in the ordinary manner we would normally do. So
there will be a live online stream of the Melbourne ceremony on the Victoria Police Youtube channel at 10am. There will also be a virtual Facebook event for people who want to participate.”
Superintendent Milner said a ‘small group’ of Wimmera organisations would also pay their respects with a wreath-laying ceremony at the front of Horsham Police Station.
“We hope to have a police member in ceremonial uniform in attendance and a community piper,” he said.
The online service will remember and honour the lives of 24 Victorian police protective services, custody officers and public-service members and chaplains who have died in the past 12 months.
Blue Ribbon Day commemorates all police officers who have died in the line of duty and foundation branches encourage people to wear a blue ribbon and get involved in various activities to demonstrate their support. Other stories, see pages 7 and 13.