THE police yesterday held their yearly commemoration at the SAPS Memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to honour policemen and women who died on duty.
THE police yesterday held their yearly commemoration at the SAPS Memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to honour policemen and women who died on duty.
A total of 105 officers who died between April 1 last year and March this year were honoured.
About 2000 police officers and 800 family members attended the ceremony.
The roll of honour included members who were murdered on duty and those who died in vehicle collisions or other accidents.
Families and friends could not hold back their tears as they walked through the guard of honour to lay wreaths at the memorial site.
Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, his deputy Fikile Mbalula, and National Commissioner Bheki Cele were the first to lay the wreaths.
Mthethwa said: "When a police officer dies in the line of duty it is a tragedy . We must reassure their families that we will never forget the men and women who have paid the ultimate price. We share their pain and grief.
"I value the difficult and often dangerous jobs performed by our police. We pay a special tribute not only to those who have died, but also to the men and women who continue to serve and protect our communities."
FALLEN COPS HONOURED
THE police yesterday held their yearly commemoration at the SAPS Memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to honour policemen and women who died on duty.
THE police yesterday held their yearly commemoration at the SAPS Memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to honour policemen and women who died on duty.
A total of 105 officers who died between April 1 last year and March this year were honoured.
About 2000 police officers and 800 family members attended the ceremony.
The roll of honour included members who were murdered on duty and those who died in vehicle collisions or other accidents.
Families and friends could not hold back their tears as they walked through the guard of honour to lay wreaths at the memorial site.
Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, his deputy Fikile Mbalula, and National Commissioner Bheki Cele were the first to lay the wreaths.
Mthethwa said: "When a police officer dies in the line of duty it is a tragedy . We must reassure their families that we will never forget the men and women who have paid the ultimate price. We share their pain and grief.
"I value the difficult and often dangerous jobs performed by our police. We pay a special tribute not only to those who have died, but also to the men and women who continue to serve and protect our communities."