NSW Police officers, government leaders and families have gathered to honour fallen members of the force on National Police Remembrance Day, with this year’s commemoration carrying particular significance following the recent death of 20-year-old Constable Mia Lay.
Premier Chris Minns, Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon joined serving officers and families at the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance on 29 September.
The annual event recognises police officers who have died and acknowledges the families, colleagues and communities affected by their loss.
Constable Mia Lay to Become 286th Name on Memorial
This year’s ceremony follows the death of Constable Mia Lay, who was killed while on duty in a vehicle crash at Redfern last Friday.
Lay was 20 years old and had been a member of the NSW Police Force for around 16 months after attesting in May 2025.
She was attached to South Sydney Police Area Command.
Her name will become the 286th to be added to the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance.
Premier Chris Minns said this year’s remembrance day had added significance following Lay’s death and acknowledged the risks police officers face while carrying out their duties.
Sergeant Mark Bransgrove Also Remembered
The ceremony also honours Sergeant Mark Anthony Bransgrove, whose name is the 285th to be etched into the memorial.
Bransgrove served with NSW Police for 38 years before retiring in April 2017.
Around 30 years of his career were spent with the Forensics Services Group.
He died on 7 July 2025.
The ceremony also recognises other sworn and unsworn members of NSW Police who have died during the past 12 months.
Three Police Legacy Scholarships Awarded
Following the remembrance service, Commissioner Lanyon is also awarding the 2026 NSW Police Legacy Commissioner’s Scholarship to three Police Legatees.
The scholarship supports the education and wellbeing of children and young people connected with NSW Police Legacy.
Funding can be used for:
- School-related expenses
- Tutoring
- Professional mental health support
- Recreational activities that support wellbeing and development
The scholarship was originally established by former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney.
Support for Police Families
NSW Police Legacy provides financial, educational and social support to the families of deceased current and former police officers.
According to the NSW Government’s latest Remembrance Day statement, the organisation currently supports around 1,200 Police Legatees, including 167 young people aged 25 or under.
The organisation also provides education grants, scholarships, welfare assistance and social programs for police families.
NSW Police Legacy says education support remains one of its major areas of assistance, with hundreds of thousands of dollars provided each year to help Police Legatees from preschool through to tertiary education.
National Police Remembrance Day is observed annually on 29 September, providing an opportunity for police forces and communities across Australia to remember officers who have died while serving or as a result of their service.
Be the first to comment