The Wagga community and Riverina Police District will come together during the National Police Remembrance Day to pause and honour officers whose lives have been cut short in the line of duty.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual event on September 28 holds a special significance for police in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
Wagga’s Detective Sergeant Phil Malligan said “this important day is also a time to remember police officers who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances”.
In 2017, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the Wagga Police Station to remember Constable Reginald Thomas Sutherland, a former Wagga police officer who was tragically killed while on duty.
On May 20, 1954, Mr Sutherland, who was attached to the Wagga District as a special stock–squad investigator, was tragically killed in a motor-vehicle accident near Griffith.
He was 34 years old.
While being conveyed in the vehicle as a passenger, a truck travelling in the opposite direction crossed to the incorrect side of the road and collided head-on with the police vehicle.
Constable Sutherland sustained fatal injuries.
The truck driver was later charged with manslaughter.
To remember those police who have made the ultimate sacrifice while undertaking their duties in their daily pursuit to protect those members of the community makes this date always significant.
- Detective Sergeant Phil Malligan, Riverina Police District
Both of Mr Sutherland’s daughters, Christine Smith and Lynette Ricardo, were present at the plaque unveiling during National Police Remembrance Day 2017.
“Although 63 years have passed since the tragic death of their father, it was still an extremely emotional event for them, but also a proud moment in attending the unveiling of an official plaque recognising their father,” Detective Sergeant Malligan said.
“It’s events like these that makes National Police Remembrance Day an important date on the national, state and local calendars.
“To remember those police who have made the ultimate sacrifice while undertaking their duties in their daily pursuit to protect those members of the community makes this date always significant.”
Detective Sergeant Malligan and Superintendent Bob Noble, the Riverina Police District’s Commander, invite past members of the police, their family and community members to the 2018 National Police Remembrance Day Ceremony on September 28.
It will begin at 10.30am at St Michael's Cathedral on 10 Church Street, Wagga.
Read more
While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each day at 6am from The Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news, sign up here.