‘We don’t want those who have died to be forgotten’

To most, they just looked like all the other people paying their respects to the 175 officers killed since Victoria Police was established in 1853.

But for the Eyres, their tribute is far more personal.

Their son Damian Eyre is among those 175 who have been killed while on the job.

Damian was only 20 and in the police force for a matter of months when he was gunned down with his partner, Constable Steven Tynan, while on duty.

It was just before 5am on October 12, 1988, and the two young constables had gone to check on a suspicious car in Walsh St in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra.

They were ambushed and killed in Walsh St that night.

The Eyres make a point of attending Police Remembrance Day services each year.

They used to go to the Melbourne service, but in more recent years have chosen to go to the one in their home town of Shepparton.

They also go to a service in Prahran each year, as it was the station Damian and Steven had been serving at when they died.

For them, it is a chance to remember and honour their son.

Mr Eyre, a police officer of 46 years himself, said it was important for the family to attend the Police Remembrance Day service.

“It keeps it alive,” Mr Eyre said.

“It’s important to remember these things.

“It’s nice to be here.”

For the Eyre family, policing is part of their blood.

Mr Eyre has another son who was a police officer for 39 years before retiring, and a grandson who has been an officer for about 10 years.

For Mr Eyre, it was comforting that Damian would be remembered at these ceremonies for years to come.

“It’ll always happen (Police Remembrance Day), even when we’re dead and gone,” Mr Eyre said.

Many of those at the service were serving or past police officers, and their families.

At this year’s service, those who had died in the line of duty were remembered, as well serving Australasian and Pacific officers and staff who had died in the past 12 months.

Wreaths were laid to honour those who had died, and there was a minute’s silence.

Shepparton police Inspector Bruce Simpson said the day was a chance to remember officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

“We don’t want those who have died to be forgotten,” he said.

Insp Simpson said the service was a reminder of how dangerous the role of a police officer could be.

“It’s a reminder we are all human and do a difficult job,” he said.

Insp Simpson said police were appreciative of the public’s support as they went about their job.

“The general community understand it is a difficult job and are supportive,” he said.