A police officer who served western NSW and the Hunter before he lost his life performing his duties has been remembered by colleagues at Dubbo.
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Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson was a tragic addition to the NSW Police Force honour roll at Thursday’s National Police Remembrance Day.
The 43-year-old officer who had previously been stationed at Cobar was killed in a car crash while responding to an emergency in the Hunter Valley in March.
Cops and community members gathered at Dubbo also paused to remember police accountant Curtis Cheng who was gunned down as he left work at Parramatta almost 12 months ago.
Candles were lit in honour of the two men at a commemoration of all fallen officers at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Western region commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said it was important the community came together to show respect for all serving members who had died and their families.
“We lost Curtis Cheng down at police headquarters in an act of absolute barbary and many NSW Police employees feel Curtis’s loss, of course along with his wonderful family who’ve been so stoic throughout,” Mr McKechnie said.
“And then Geoff Richardson over at Port Stephens, . . . who used to work at Cobar, certainly (had) an affinity with our region.
“So we think of those people today.”
On the day of remembrance, the continued dangers were also apparent.
“While we’re here, our trucks are out there attending jobs, our police are going to situations right now, putting their lives in harm’s way, and we have to remember that as a community and thank those people,” Mr McKechnie said.
Commander of the Orana area Superintendent David Simmons said they also remembered the families left behind and the anguish they suffered.
During his address the superintendent said the fallen officers remained in thoughts and hearts.
“It’s our duty to ensure their courage. . . (is) never forgotten,” he said.