October 3, 2017
South Burnett residents joined local police officers in Kingaroy on Friday to pay tribute to the 144 Queensland police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1861.
The annual National Police Remembrance Day service is held on September 29 each year.
It alternates through South Burnett towns, and this year service was hosted by St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, opposite Kingaroy’s new police station.
The solemn liturgy began with a presentation of flags followed by the National Anthem.
Speakers included Acting Inspector Teena Rolls, who travelled from Dalby to read the Police Commissioner’s address and the Act Of Remembrance, as well as Police Chaplains David Ferguson and John Selwood.
Acting Detective Sergeant John Flanagan read the Roll Of Honour; Acting Senior Sergeant Brad Johannesen read the Police Ode; and Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge read the Reflection and Affirmation.
Friday’s service was more solemn than usual following the death in May this year of Senior Constable Brett Forte.
Senior Constable Forte was shot and killed near Gatton by a wanted criminal following a routine traffic stop, the first policeman to die in the line of duty since 2013.
While no other Queensland police lost their lives on duty this year, 11 who died from other causes were also remembered, as were four QPS staff members.
The service also paused to commemorate 12 more officers added to the National Roll of Honour – many historic, after an examination of records.
The service concluded with Ross Page piping the flag party of Constables Glenn Hytch, Rhys Golinski and Senior Constable Todd Armstrong from the church.
Afterwards, guests were invited to Kingaroy Police Station for afternoon tea and refreshments.
