The job of the emergency services never stops and distant sirens could be heard as Yass police, other emergency workers, friends, family and community members gathered for the 30th Police Remembrance Day.
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The commemoration took place in front of Yass Police Station on Friday morning, two days ahead of the national day (September 29) that recognises officers who have died during duty through injury or illness.
About 25 people attended, the biggest crowd Mayor Rowena Abbey could recall.
Officer in Charge at Yass Police Station, Inspector Matthew Hinton conducted the ceremony.
He acknowledged the enormous sacrifice officers have given for their service.
Some 273 members of the NSW Police Force have lost their lives in the line of duty since the force was established in 1862.
"Officers leave for their shift with every intention of coming home to their friends and family. Unfortunately, some officers don't leave work or leave work and don't make it home," Inspector Hinton said.
"The sacrifice is not officers' alone. Today we acknowledge the pressures on family of supporting officers and the loss they feel when an officer is lost.
"Today is also an important opportunity to shine a light on officer mental health. We lose officers too often to mental illness. None of us are immune," he said.
Sergeant Amanda Watt said she knew officers who died on duty and suffered from mental illness as a result of their occupation.
"I think it's important that officers take time to recognise their colleagues who have given the ultimate sacrifice," she said.
Ben Spencer and Paul Vasey of Binalong Rescue Squad paid their respects at the ceremony.
"I've come to support the other agencies. The police have a lot of responsibility at the scenes we go to," Binalong Rescue Squad Vice Captain Ben Spencer said.
"I've come to support the police. I've seen the impact the job has on mental health," Mr Vasey said.
Mayor Rowena Abbey said it was good to stop and remember how much the emergency services do and recognise those who have lost their lives in the process.
"It was lovely to see other emergency services here today as this is also about them," she said.
Nine commemorations took place across the Southern Region Command on Friday.
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