Four officers added to National Police Memorial at Canberra ceremony
New touchstones with four officers' names were added to the National Police Memorial ahead of an emotional Canberra ceremony on Tuesday.
Police officers from around Australia marched to Lake Burley Griffin for the 2026 National Police Remembrance Day service. New touchstones displaying four names were added to the memorial.
The touchstones include Victoria detectives Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, shot by Dezi Freeman at Porepunkah in August 2025. Western Australia Detective Maxine Bembridge, killed in a work crash in May, and retired NSW Sergeant Mark Bransgrove, who died from cancer linked to his service, were also honoured.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn described the officers as killed in "despicable circumstances". Tearful family members laid wreaths at the memorial.
Sydney Constable Mia Lay, 20, who died in a police car crash last week, was also remembered. Her name is expected to be formally added next year.
The memorial now holds 836 names, up from 719 two decades ago.
Why it mattersRemembrance recognises the sacrifice police make in service and the toll on families left behind.
AustraliaPolice from every Australian state and territory gathered to mark the service, acknowledging the risks all officers face on the job.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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