Mackay police march from station to St Patrick’s for National Police Remembrance Day

Mackay’s police family marched from the old station on Brisbane St to St Pat’s church in their National Police Remembrance Day parade, commemorating more than 150 police officers who lost their lives.

The sound of bagpipes filled the air as police officers past and present joined a parade down the streets in remembrance of their fallen comrades.

Marching from the old police station on Brisbane street to St Patrick’s Church on River St, the officers and family drew the respectful gaze of residents who paused to watch the procession and applaud.

Mackay-Whitsunday District Superintendent and District Officer Shane Holmes said he was humbled by the public appreciation.

Many Mackay locals stopped to pay their respects and witness the procession. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“Our relationship with the community helps us with our job,” Superintendent Holmes said.

“It’s really that bond that forges us with the community.

National Police Remembrance Day, first held in 1989, has been held on September 29 each year since in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

This year it was chosen to be held on September 27 in Mackay to ensure as many police and former officers could attend to recognise our region’s fallen police.

Constable 1/c Roy Doyle was trying to rescue a drunk man during a flood crisis in Mackay in 1956.

Superintendent Holmes said in the last 160 years of policing, 150 police officers have lost their lives with the last being Mackay constable Roy Doyle.

Constable Doyle died in March 1956 when the Pioneer river flooded saving a drowning man from the waters.

He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Medal for gallantry, the first Queensland Police Officer to receive such an honour.

Due to the unpredictable nature of our job our officers and staff go to work not really knowing whether or not they’ll come home,” Superintendent Holmes said.

“We see both the best and the worst in the community.”

Superintendent Holmes praised the training and equipment officers receive as world class and once again thanked the community for their support.

“We can’t do our work without them and to see that appreciation during this special day with us is amazing,” he said