Honouring fallen police officers

Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley, will join Commissioner Mal Lanyon and other members of the NSW Police Force at the Wall of Remembrance to pay respect to the officers whose lives have been cut short.

Police Remembrance Day is especially poignant this year, following the tragic death of Constable Mia Lay last Friday.

Constable Lay was just 20 years old and on duty when the police vehicle she was travelling in crashed at Redfern while responding to an urgent incident.

Constable Lay's name will become the 286th to be added to the Wall of Remembrance.

We also pause today to remember NSW Police Force Sergeant Mark Anthony Bransgrove.

Sergeant Bransgrove served for 38 years until his retirement in April 2017. Thirty of those years were spent working in the Forensics Services Group.

Sergeant Bransgrove died on Monday, 7 July 2025 and his name is the 285th to be etched into the Wall of Remembrance.

We also remember the sworn and unsworn members of the NSW Police Force who have died over the past 12 months, and acknowledge the families, friends and colleagues who continue to carry their loss.

This year, three NSW Police Legatees will be awarded the 2026 NSW Police Legacy Commissioner's Scholarship.

The scholarship provides funding for school-related expenses, tutoring, access to professional mental health services and recreational activities.

NSW Police Legacy does an outstanding job supporting current and former police and their families during times of tragedy and need.

They currently support 1,200 legatees, 167 of which are young people aged up to 25-years-old.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

"Police Remembrance Day is always an important day, but this year it has particular meaning after the tragic loss of Constable Mia Lay.

"Being a police officer is one of the hardest jobs in this state. You start a shift not knowing what you are going to face, and we ask these young men and women to put themselves in harm's way to keep the rest of us safe.

"Today is about remembering those officers we have lost, but it's also about their families, their colleagues and everyone who continues to feel that loss.

"I'm incredibly grateful to every man and woman who puts on that uniform and serves our state. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude."

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

"Today is a solemn reminder of the dangers our police face in keeping us safe.

"Policing is a job like no other. Officers put on the blue uniform every day not knowing what lies ahead. They are called upon to respond to situations most of us could never fully imagine and for that, they deserve our profound gratitude.

"My thoughts are with the families of Constable Lay, Sergeant Bransgrove and everyone else who has lost a loved one in the line of duty. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."