A FATHER and son, who both serve in the NSW police force, were among officers saluting colleagues at a service in Wodonga on Monday.
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Senior Constable Les Crofts works at Corowa police station, while his son Senior Constable Aaron Crofts is based in Albury.
It is closest they've been stationed in their five years together in the force with Senior Constable Aaron Crofts having served at Wagga until six weeks ago.
Monday was the first time they have spent National Police Remembrance Day together.
"It makes me proud that he is here," Senior Constable Les Crofts said of his son.
Senior Constable Aaron Crofts said: "It's great being able to spend the day with him."
Since he was a boy, he harboured an ambition to mirror his father's career.
They were initially both in the army as military police before becoming law enforcers in the civilian world.
The pair were among a contingent of NSW and Victorian police who gathered at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beechworth Road for the memorial service.
Victoria Police chaplain Reverend Peter Dart, who is based at the Christian Fellowship Centre in Albury and spent 25 years in the force south of the Murray River, conducted proceedings.
In his homily, he reflected on links between law enforcement during Biblical times and the present day.
Reverend Dart also noted the symbolism of each state's police badge.
Victoria's has the laurel for bravery and five-pointed star to indicate willingness to go in any direction, while NSW's eagle reaching out its talons signifies the law descending on crooks.
"May we never forget, night and day, they are a wall around us," Reverend Dart said.
Superintendent Kerin Moloney, a North East Victorian divisional commander, gave an address on behalf of police.
"It is an honourable role and it is a privilege to be trusted by our community to police them," Superintedent Moloney said.
Candles to mark the occasion were ignited with a barbecue lighter by Victorian Leading Senior Constable Raquel Vogel and NSW Detective Senior Constable Steve Campbell.
Prayers were offered for the families of police killed while on duty as well as their friend and colleagues by Senior Constable Aaron Crofts and Victorian Inspector Luke Kirton.
