Geraldton police hold Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony for eight fallen Mid West-Gascoyne officers

Police and community members gathered at the Geraldton Police Station to pay their respects and honour eight officers who have died in the line of duty, serving the Mid West community. Police Remembrance Day was held nationally on Thursday with a wreath-laying ceremony. Mid West-Gascoyne District Inspector Jayd Morawski began with a welcome to country, and thanked those in the community for coming. “A national symbol, the Remembrance Day Ribbon, was chosen to be easily identifiable in the community. The ribbon we wear today is worn with pride and close to our hearts as we honour and remember fallen colleagues,” he said. Acting Superintendent Tony Jeavons and officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Chris Martin also spoke. Officers wore blue-and-white chequered ribbons to honour the 87 officers in WA who have lost their lives while serving the community. Eight of those officers died while serving the Mid West-Gascoyne District. Three symbols were presented to the Remembrance Stone outside the Geraldton station which bear the eight officers’ names — a pair of handcuffs, a cap and police radio. After wreaths were laid officers, loved ones and guests touched the stone and ended the ceremony with morning tea. OFFICERS REMEMBERED IN THE MID WEST Const. Reuben McDonald — 1949 Const. Peter McManus — 1955 Const. Henry Thomas — 1956 Const. Malcolm Stanaway — 1979 Sgt Greg Hallsworth — 1990 Sen. Const. David Boardman — 2007 First Class Const. Stephen Robinson — 2007 Sen Const. Richard Cornelius — 2012