New England Local Area Command Superintendent Fred Trench reflected on the brave work done by men and women in service.

“Police officers share a special bond, the joys and triumphs of fighting crime are celebrated by all officers, equally though, when one police officer is hurt all police officers feel that hurt.

“When an officer is killed something dies within us all.

“Law enforcement is not just another job, it takes an extraordinary person to be a good police officer, it is a calling that involves an officers entire family and it deserves the respect of every person who enjoys the peace, safety and freedoms that our police provide,” he said.

Armidale Regional Council administrator Dr Ian Tiley said it was important to remember the brave work of our police officers.

“They put their lives at risk to protect communities, we honour them, we respect greatly what they do for all of us and it’s so important on a day like today to remember those that gave everything,” he said.

Dr Tiley also paid his respects to the families of those lost in service.

“The loss of a father, a wife or a brother, that has to be so traumatic because often these losses are so unnecessary,” he said.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said that throughout the New England region police officers had given their lives in service of the community.

“Whilst the police service has been part of law and order these people that lost their lives, all they ask is for you to remember them and if you just think their life wasn't worth that much, that’s the ultimate disrespect,” he said.

“We all need to pause for a short moment to remember their lives and feel the grief that their families are feeling after losing a loved one in their line of duty.”

Officers, members of state and federal government, community members and families rose to lay wreaths in memory of officers that had their lives taken in service of the community.

The service was performed by New England Local Area Command Police Chaplain Reverend Will Pearson.