Service and solemnity: Narrogin observes National Police Remembrance Day

National Police Remembrance Day was observed by officers past and present alongside members of the community on September 29 at a small and solemn service at the Narrogin Police Station. The 10am service was conducted by lay minister Brian Seale, and Narrogin Acting Sen. Sgt Greg Yendle opened the remembrance with a welcome explaining the day’s significance. “Law enforcement is a unique profession that should promote pride in service and dedication to duty,” he said. “A national remembrance day for police officers killed on duty encourages police officers and their families to honour the memory of comrades who have given their lives in the service of the community. “It focuses public attention on the men and women of police forces throughout Australia whose responsibilities are to ensure public peace and good order — it reminds us of the difficulties they face in bearing these responsibilities.” Kay Brooks attended the service with family members in remembrance of her late husband First Class Constable W.G (Bill) Pense who served at Narrogin Police Station from 1973 to 1978. Const. Pense was killed while on duty in Mt Barker on October 12, 1979. Retired first class constable Gordon Jackson and former Narrogin senior sergeant Bob Porter also attended the event along with volunteer emergency services personnel and Narrogin’s two justices of the peace Morris Russell and David Russell. Sgt Sam Baker and Const. Brandon Mitchell read the names of the 87 officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and asked that the good of their example be preserved. Following the laying of the wreaths, the Last Post was played and a minute of silence was observed before the Reveille. Sen. Const. Matthew Payne then read the Police Ode. “As the sun surely sets dawn will see it arise, for service above self demands its own prize,” he read. “We that are left shall never forget, rest in peace friend and colleague for the sun has now set. “We will remember, we will remember — hasten the dawn.”