Moving tribute to comrades

As the sun began to set over Broome Police Station, around 50 officers stood together in tribute to their fallen comrades at the annual Police Remembrance Day ceremony.

Police officers and members of the public attended the poignant service last week to remember all who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. This year, the service was held in the late afternoon, where a peaceful atmosphere was only interrupted as a plane flew overhead.

Father Matt Digges from Broome’s Catholic diocese read an opening prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, officers read aloud poems as a tribute, and inspectors Jim Cave and Frank Audas read out the names of the fallen.

Fr Digges administered a final blessing before officers and community members came forward to lay wreaths.

District Superintendent Mick Sutherland said the ceremony was a time to reflect on fallen colleagues.

“Policing is always a risky profession and many officers have made a personal sacrifice and put their lives on the line,” he said.

Inspector Jim Cave said it was a poignant service.

“It’s a moving day for us,” he said.

“Some of the names I read out I knew personally.”

Similar services were held around the region and country including Derby, where officers held a 9am ceremony and remembered all who had sacrificed their lives, including Constable William Richardson who was killed in 1897 by indigenous freedom fighter Jandamarra.