Argenton's Celeste Thornton, 49, was one of a group of residents and law enforcers who gathered at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday to give thanks to police officers killed while serving their communities.
Ms Thornton's older brother, Christopher John Thornton, was 35 when he died in a crash during a high speed pursuit in 2002 on the Central Coast, where he served as a senior constable.
"The hardest part was getting the knock on the door and having the sergeant standing there with his hat under his arm," Ms Thornton said. "He was in that line of duty but I didn't think it would happen when he was so young."
Mr Thornton grew up in Newcastle and was a volunteer at Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club.
"He was a people person and a real joker. He was an awesome bloke," his sister said.
Each year, Ms Thornton attends National Police Remembrance Day events in memory of her brother.
"His great-nephew would normally be here with me," she said. "This year he started school, so that's why Christopher John junior is not here. My daughter named him after my brother."
The Dean of Newcastle the Very Reverend Katherine Bowyer led the service at Christ Church Cathedral, which was one of many held across the country to mark the remembrance day, which actually falls on Sunday and for that reason was commemorated two days earlier.
"We gather to remember all that we are called to be and to trust that together we make a difference," she said.
Superintendent Daniel Sullivan, the commander of Lake Macquarie Police, explained the remembrance day shares the same date, September 29, as the feast of St Michael, patron saint of police.
"We gather ... to remember those officers of the Australasian Police Services who have been killed in the course of their duties. We are hear to thank God for their lives, to mourn and to honour them," he said. "Here we offer our support to one another in grief, especially to the families and friends of those killed."
Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell, Northern Region Commander, speaking on behalf of NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller, said one NSW officer, Liverpool's Constable Timothy Proctor, had died on duty since September last year.
"[He was] A promising young office who tragically died in February following a motor vehicle collision while on duty," Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said."The oath to protect places a heavy burden of responsibility on our officers. It's our duty to remember the courage and selfless actions of those heroes so they are never forgotten," he said.
