Honouring the fallen

Editorial: Danielle Ford

Every day across the state, thousands of people don the blue uniform and head out to serve and protect the community.

While most return home at the end of each shift after a job well done, over the years there have been hundreds of officers who sadly don’t make it home – those who have been killed in the line of duty.

Every year on National Police Remembrance Day, 29 September, police and the public across Victoria and the country pause to remember those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

With COVID-19 having forced services to be held online for the last two years, police from across Victoria will once again gather in person on 29 September to mark the day.

A metropolitan march and service will be held in Melbourne at the Victoria Police Memorial Wall and regional services will also be held across the state.

The Victoria Police Memorial Wall, located within the Kings Domain gardens on St Kilda Road, includes an honour roll featuring the names of 174 Victoria Police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Sadly, at this year’s service, a new name will be added to the wall.

Senior Constable Bria Joyce

Senior Constable Bria Joyce

Supplied

Taking the giant leap to leave the small town she grew up in and move interstate on her own at 19, Senior Constable Bria Joyce joined Victoria Police in August 2016.

From the moment she stepped onto the hallowed grounds of the Victoria Police Academy, Senior Constable Joyce captivated her squad mates with her intelligence, bubbly smile and “tough-as-nails” attitude.

“During our Academy training, Bria quickly proved that she was intelligent and extremely talented in pretty much everything she did,” Senior Constable Joyce’s squad mate Senior Constable Alana Downie said.

“She was happy, smiley and friendly, but she was also tough-as-nails, and the squad quickly learned not to mess with her.

“From the first day I met her, I had absolutely no doubt that Bria would make it, not only as a police officer, but in all aspects of her life, and that she would succeed beyond her own beliefs.”

This view of Bria was held by all who worked with her and she quickly impressed colleagues at Moonee Ponds Police Station, where she was stationed after graduating from the Academy in April 2017.

“Bria and I were lucky enough to have a small time working together at Moonee Ponds, where she made such a strong impact on the crew and made some lifelong friends,” Senior Constable Downie said.

“As a police officer, she stuck to her convictions and would dig in, work her butt off and do what was needed to make things work.

“She would throw that smile into the world and run head-on towards the things that scared and challenged her.

“All these things meant Bria was exceptional at her job but she was more than a police officer. She was passionate, strong-willed, fiery and talented.”

After a short time at Moonee Ponds, Senior Constable Joyce decided to trade in the big smoke for country life and moved to Mildura, joining the uniform police in the rural town.

She quickly settled in, both at work and in her personal life, making many lifelong friends who became like family.

In November 2018, Senior Constable Joyce took on a new challenge, joining the Mildura Highway Patrol team, where she continued to excel.

Senior Constable Joyce was driving while undertaking regular duties on 8 April 2022 when she was killed in a collision on a rural road between Red Cliffs and Iraak near Mildura.

Her colleague who was in the passenger seat of the police car was seriously injured in the accident and continues to recover today.

The loss of Senior Constable Joyce had a huge impact on her family, friends, colleagues and the whole Victoria Police family.

“Every single person who knew Bria was lucky - was privileged,” Senior Constable Downie said.

“She was such a good friend to so many. She was loving, generous and thought of everyone else first.

“She would give the shirt off her back just to ensure those around her were safe, happy and healthy. She would expect nothing in return but friendship, and that was an easy thing to give her.”

Senior Constable Joyce is survived by her mother Diane and her partner Kyle.

She will be posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal, the National Medal, the VP Star and the Victoria Police Service Medal on National Police Remembrance Day.

Image Pausing to remember 01 National Police Remembrance Day will be held at the Victoria Police Memorial Wall in Melbourne on 29 September. 02 Senior Constable Bria Joyce's name will be added to the wall on National Police Remembrance Day this year.