Queensland Police Sergeant Dan Stiller, killed in a freak accident while leading a convoy of vehicles in central Queensland in December 2010, was also remembered.
Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wilson said last night's vigil was an important event for Gold Coast police."Detective Senior Constable Leeding was a part of this community, he was starting as one of the new detectives that opened the Coomera detective office 18 months ago and he was protecting his community where he lived (when he died)," Mr Wilson said.
Det Sen Const Leeding and Sgt Stiller were the only police in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea to lose their lives while on the job last year, Mr Wilson said.
In a double blow to Queensland's police service, both officers left behind wives who are also police officers.
Sonya Leeding, widow of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, attended last night's vigil and, accompanied by family members, laid an enclosed torch flame to symbolise the flame of life.
Memorial plaques for both officers will be added to the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
Official National Police Remembrance Day events will take place in Coolangatta and Logan today.
0 comments:
Post a Comment