Canadian Police Memorium

The Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa is a tribute site featuring glass panels and a restored 1877 gazebo at the northwest corner of the grounds. A perimeter wall of glass and steel displays the names of fallen officers etched into its surface, honoring those who died in the line of duty.

The memorial began in 1978 as a ceremony honoring 14 officers and expanded over time to include hundreds of names inscribed on honor tablets. This growth reflects the ongoing recognition of losses sustained throughout decades of law enforcement service.

On the last Sunday of September, thousands gather for the National Memorial Day to honor police and peace officers who lost their lives in service. The grounds become a place of remembrance where people from across the country pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The grounds are accessible year-round, allowing visitors to view the memorial and read the inscribed names at any time. An annual ceremony organized by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police takes place on the National Memorial Day and welcomes all attendees.

The glass construction allows visitors to see through the memorial and view the surrounding Parliament Hill landscape beyond it. This design choice connects the remembrance site with the living community that passes through the grounds daily.