Police Foundation Day commemorated

Today (28 April 2025) on Police Foundation Day, we pay tribute to Foot Constable John McLennan Holman who had his life tragically cut short early in his policing career.

In partnership with the South Australian Police Historical Society, SAPOL commemorated the milestone day, and our 187 years of existence, by unveiling a memorial plaque in Hindmarsh Square for Constable Holman.

Dignitaries including Lord Mayor, the Honourable Jane Lomax-Smith AM, Minister of Police Stephen Mullighan, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM and Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams APM LEM united with other guests this morning to honour and remember 23-year-old Foot Constable John McLennan Holman, who was tragically murdered at the location on 23 February 1929.

Police Foundation Day is held annually on 28 April to commemorate SAPOL’s founding in 1838, being the oldest centrally organised police service in Australia, and one of the oldest civilian police services in the world.

Since the establishment of South Australia Police in 1838, 62 police officers have been killed in the line of duty.

Constable Holman died of a fatal gunshot wound when on plain clothes police duty nearing the end of his shift. Accompanying two other officers and unarmed, he attended a tasking involving a report of gunshots and a disturbance between several men.

The young constable was shot while attempting to arrest the offenders. He was subsequently found unconscious and rushed to hospital but, despite doctors’ efforts, died an hour later from his wounds.

On Monday, 25 February 1929 a state funeral was held for the fallen constable, seeing thousands line Adelaide streets in respect and disbelief.

Constable Holman is also remembered and honoured on the South Australia Police Roll of Honour and Wall of Remembrance, and the Australian National Police Memorial Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.