He remains the only police casualty of the Dubbo district.

A remembrance service at Holy Trinity Church today will reflect on the lives of fallen police officers including Wallings who is buried in Old Dubbo Cemetery.

Shot and killed on September 20, 1878 Wallings left behind a wife and eight children and a community mourning the loss of a fine officer.

At the time of his murder at the Wonbobbie Inn near Warren, he was in the company of Constable John Walsh and Senior Constable WH Souter.

The bushranger, Midnight, rushed from the rear of the inn as the three officers approached.

Giving chase on horseback the officers were fired upon with a bullet striking Sergeant Wallings, killing him instantly.

Midnight escaped capture as the two officers went to the assistance of their fallen colleague, who despite their efforts could not be helped.

Fleeing north, Midnight evaded capture for almost two weeks before he was shot and killed near Engonia on October 2 by Constable Thomas Hatton of Bourke and Constable George Grey of Louth.

News of Sergeant Wallings' murder sent shock waves through the normally peaceful Dubbo community, which gathered en masse at his funeral two days later.

A report in the Dubbo Express newspaper said the cortege left the Wallings' family residence in McLeay Street proceeding along Brisbane Street for the service at the Holy Trinity Church.

Almost the entire Dubbo population, about 1000 people, attended the funeral as a mark of respect for the man they described as a most gallant officer.

Such was the community's distress at Sergeant Wallings' death and the plight of his family that a support fund was initiated which raised in total more than 300 pounds.

In due course the State government funded and erected a large monument on his grave in recognition of his service and sacrifice to his community.

As police in the region prepare for this year's Remembrance Day, Dubbo duty officer Bruce Moon and police chaplains Ross Godfrey (Wellington) and Michael Birch (Gilgandra) shared their feelings about the day.

"It's the Anzac Day for police," Mr Godfrey said.

"Remembering these deaths makes us conscience of the dangers faced by police officers every day."

Mr Godfrey invited the public to attend the Remembrance Day service so that they might see the police as real people and consider the dangers they face.

"I don't think the public appreciates the danger faced by police officers and only see them as someone who is out there to book them," he said.

The fears of partners and families of police officers must be also be recognised Mr Birch added.

"Every day they are on duty is of concern to police and their families," he said.

"They are not out on training exercises, every day is real and could potentially be their last."

Acting Inspector Bruce Moon spoke of the personal experiences he and other officers have had during their time in the force.

"Remembrance Day is a time to remember the ones we've lost," he said.

"It's a personal thing, like Anzac Day is for the old diggers.

"A friend I joined the force with was killed, so the day is a time where you remember those people."

The Police Remembrance Day service starts 11am.