Qld's 140 fallen police officers honoured

When Graham Lena answered a late-night knock on his door on April 10, 1992, his world fell apart.

Mr Lena and his wife Sandy were told their police constable daughter Sondra had been killed when she was hit by a car while on traffic duty near Rockhampton.

Shane and Elizabeth Urquhart received similar devastating news on May 7, 2005, when their 28-year-old daughter Sally died in a plane crash on the way to Townsville.

Sondra and Sally - the only two female officers in Queensland to have lost their lives at work - were among 140 Queensland officers honoured on Police Remembrance Day on Tuesday.

"Nothing you do is ever the same again," Mrs Lena said after a ceremony at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane.

"The hole in your heart never goes. She was our baby."

Commissioner Ian Stewart told those gathered it was the most significant day on the police calendar.

"No greater sacrifice can be asked for, or can be made, than that of these fine men and women who we acknowledge today."

The Lenas and Urquharts were presented with framed Remembrance Day posters featuring hand-drawn portraits of their daughters.

Mr Urquhart said the family was constantly reminded about the loss of their child.

"It never goes away," he said.

Mrs Lena said seeing the portrait - drawn by one of Sondra's colleagues - meant she was not forgotten.

"She was full of life, full of mischief," she said.

Nationally, 757 officers have been killed since 1803.

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller urged Queenslanders to remember that officers have a tough job.

"If you see a police officer out on duty today, please go up to them and say thank you for looking after us and protecting us."