September 30, 2015
The life of former Proston police officer Sgt Frank Close, who died aged 82 earlier this year, was a focus at this year’s National Police Remembrance Day commemoration held in Kingaroy.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Uniting Church, brought together serving and retired police officers and members of the public to remember the sacrifice of the 140 Queensland police officers who have died while on active duty since 1861.
The service also honoured police who have died from non-work related causes over the past 12 months as well as support staff and retired officers.
Retired Sergeant 2nd Class Frank Close died on March 16.
Officer-in-Charge of Murgon Police, Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge, read out Frank’s service record before Dalby Burnett Patrol Inspector Michael Bianchi presented his widow Irma with a framed Certificate of Service.
After Frank’s stint as Officer-in-Charge at Proston police station, Frank and Irma moved away from the South Burnett but returned after he retired.
They owned the Broadway Hotel in Kingaroy for many years before shifting to Murgon in 1990 where they became much-loved members of the local community and tireless fundraisers for charity.
The service also marked the centenary of the deaths of eight Queensland police officers who died while on active service during World War I:
- Constable Patrick Moynihan
- Constable David Bourke
- Constable William Hughes
- Constable John Johnston
- Constable Robert Ritchie
- Constable Phillip Vowles
- Constable Eugene Nugent and
- Constable John Christiansen
Related article: Obituary: Frank Close
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 after the service |
