Officers gather to pay tribute to fallen heroes

VICTORIA Police’s fallen heroes have been remembered by the community during a touching Blue Ribbon Day service.More than 100 people gathered at the Bendigo Town Hall yesterday for National Police Remembrance Day, which honours police men and women who have died.Inspector Wayne Barclay welcomed guests, who included current and former police members, their family and friends and local councillors and politicians.Several school children from primary and secondary schools in the Bendigo area also attended the service to pay tribute to the men and women in blue who have died while serving and protecting their community.Senior Sergeant Craig Pearson was a special guest at the service and spoke on behalf of Victoria Police Legacy.Victoria Police Legacy provides support and services to the families of police members who have died.Since it began in 1980, the service has helped more than 700 legatees and recently extended its support to a cohort aptly named Friends of Legacy, which includes legatees who have moved into a new relationship, parents of serving members of Victoria Police and other people who have been deemed by the board to have provided significant support to Victoria Police Legacy.“National Police Remembrance Day is not only for the 157 police officers who have died while on duty, but it is a time to reflect on the importance of all our colleagues who have died of ill health and in other circumstances,” Senior Sergeant Pearson said.“It’s a truly special day, because I think the community recognises the commitment of police members and it’s an opportunity for the community to come together with all the police and remember the service of our colleagues who have passed.”This year, the service specifically recognised and remembered 10 Victoria Police members who died between September 1, last year and August 31, this year.Police recruit Jason Bond was one of those members.“Fortnightly on Mondays I travel to the Police Academy at Glen Waverly where I meet the recruits on their first day at the academy and I open by saying to them, ‘Welcome to the police family’,” Senior Sergeant Pearson said. “And what a wonderful family it is to be a part of, particularly in times of illness or death.“Recently we lost one of our most youngest members of the police family with recruit Jason Bond, who died tragically in a car accident travelling home on a Friday after attending his study at the Police Academy.“He was training to provide that service to the community and he was lost so early to us.“That is why it is so important for us to remember those who die of ill health and in any other circumstances.”Inspector Barclay said he had worked closely with five of the 10 members who have died in the past 12 months.“National Police Remembrance Day is celebrated on the 29th of September every year with services like this being conducted throughout regional, metropolitan Victoria and indeed Australia,” he said.“We reserve this day for honouring police members, many who have died in the line of duty.“I see many people today, including children wearing the blue ribbon. “This denotes the respect, this denotes the honour that we dedicate to the brave women and brave men who have died serving their communities.”Inspector Barclay thanked Bendigo people for supporting the police and the Blue Ribbon Foundation, which raised money for hospital emergency wards. Foundation committee member Sandy Gaffee thanked the community and organisations for helping put together yesterday’s service.