The Western Australia Police Force will today join police agencies across Australia in commemorating National Police Remembrance Day, honouring officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
This morning’s service at the WA Police Academy Chapel acknowledges the loss of Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge, who died following a traffic crash in May 2026. Maxine was driving to work after being recalled to duty to assist with a serious child abuse investigation.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch has travelled with Maxine’s family to Canberra, where her name will be added to the National Police Memorial during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the memorial.
Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams said National Police Remembrance Day provided an opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and service of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the community.
“Detective Senior Constable Bembridge dedicated her career to some of the most confronting work in policing, protecting vulnerable children and holding offenders to count,” he said.
“She was widely respected for her professionalism and commitment to service, and our thoughts are with her family, colleagues and loved ones.”
Deputy Commissioner Adams and Police Minister Reece Whitby will lead the laying of wreaths at the Police Academy Chapel, in a ceremony that also marks the centenary of the deaths of Detective Inspector John Walsh and Detective Sergeant Alexander Pitman, who were murdered while investigating a gold theft operation near Kalgoorlie in 1926.
Located at the Chapel, the Pitman-Walsh Memorial is central to the ceremony, which includes the reading of the Police Ode, the lighting of the Flame of Remembrance and the recognition of the 90 officers whose names appear on the WA Police Memorial Wall.
This morning’s service at the WA Police Academy Chapel acknowledges the loss of Detective Senior Constable Maxine Bembridge, who died following a traffic crash in May 2026. Maxine was driving to work after being recalled to duty to assist with a serious child abuse investigation.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch has travelled with Maxine’s family to Canberra, where her name will be added to the National Police Memorial during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the memorial.
Deputy Commissioner Allan Adams said National Police Remembrance Day provided an opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and service of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the community.
“Detective Senior Constable Bembridge dedicated her career to some of the most confronting work in policing, protecting vulnerable children and holding offenders to count,” he said.
“She was widely respected for her professionalism and commitment to service, and our thoughts are with her family, colleagues and loved ones.”
Deputy Commissioner Adams and Police Minister Reece Whitby will lead the laying of wreaths at the Police Academy Chapel, in a ceremony that also marks the centenary of the deaths of Detective Inspector John Walsh and Detective Sergeant Alexander Pitman, who were murdered while investigating a gold theft operation near Kalgoorlie in 1926.
Located at the Chapel, the Pitman-Walsh Memorial is central to the ceremony, which includes the reading of the Police Ode, the lighting of the Flame of Remembrance and the recognition of the 90 officers whose names appear on the WA Police Memorial Wall.
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