She was joined by past and present Victoria Police officers, other widows, family and friends at a touching ceremony to recognise National Police Remembrance Day at the York St Church of Christ

yesterday.

"It was absolutely lovely," she said.

Mrs Annand lost her husband to cancer almost 10 years ago.

"It was the first time I've done something major like that," she said.

Ballarat Superintendent Paul Murnane welcomed a 100-strong crowd to the ceremony after all stood tall to sing the Australian national anthem.

There were mixed emotions for police at the ceremony, who were both proud of the fallen officers' commitment to service and saddened by their passing.

"It's important that we stop and reflect on the past," Supt Murnane said.

"Throughout the service there was a CD of our local members who have died over the years."

Supt Murnane said this year members took time to reflect on the untimely deaths of two Victoria Police officers killed in the line of duty this year.

In Victoria Police's 152-year history, 141 officers have died in the line of duty.

Thirty of them were murdered.

Supt Murnane said there were a number of police widows present at the Ballarat ceremony who had lost their husbands to illness over the years.

Ballarat Police chaplain Reverend Paul Burnham said National Police Remembrance Day, which coincided with Blue Ribbon day, was a time to thank members of Victoria's police force and emergency

services, including ambulance, fire and State Emergency Service. "We remember the past, especially departed police members who have been killed on duty and police members who have died in service,"

Rev Burnham said.

"As we look to the future, we affirm our police and ask them to recommit themselves to their task."