Media Release for National Police Legacy Day (NPLD) 17th June 2026
As Australia prepares to celebrate National Police Legacy Day, the Schremmer family reflects on the life-changing support they receive from Northern Territory Police Legacy following the death of their husband and father, Justin Schremmer.
That includes NT Police Legacy providing Education and Sporting Grants for two of Justin’s children – Bailey and Madison, easing the financial burden on the family and giving the family peace of mind that their children can pursue their education, sport and future goals without the added financial pressure of having to find a way to pay for it alone.
Since his passing on 21st February 2022, NT Police Legacy has been there to support his widow and their two children, Bailey and Madison, who were aged just 8 and 5 when he died.
Senior Constable First Class Justin Schremmer joined the NT Police Force in 2003 serving across the Northern Territory including Palmerston, Yuendumu, Nhulunbuy, Alyangula, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Humpty Doo. In his final years of service, he was based in Darwin.
Throughout his service, Justin was known not only for his professionalism and commitment, but for his readiness to meet the unique demands of policing in the Northern Territory, from urban patrols to work in remote and often challenging environments. His career, like those of many in the Territory, demanded resilience, flexibility and a willingness to serve communities under difficult conditions.
Justin passed away at age 44, survived by his wife, Deanne, and his four children — including Zoe and Jake from an earlier relationship.
Dee, said ‘the support NT Police Legacy provides throughout all fields is incredible. Being thankful for it is an understatement’.
The NT Police Legacy’s support of the Schremmer family continues today as they look forward to opportunities and future pathways that can be supported without the worry of how they will afford them.
‘The help with the school fees has been an absolute saviour. The stress without this would be considerable. This helps to allocate school fees but to also give further extracurricular activities like the school camps and music education possible’, Dee said.
‘Bailey has been on two sporting trips, an International Youth Cup in Singapore and the Keilor Cup Tournament in Melbourne both as a representative of the NT. Attending both these trips has been excellent for Bailey’s mental and physical health. Whilst we were pro-active in fundraising, as part of the team, we are very thankful for the contribution from NT Police Legacy towards these trips in reducing the financial burden’, Dee said.
‘Police Legacy helped pay for my soccer trip to Singapore, which made my family really happy’, said Bailey.
Madison said, ‘I am able to learn the guitar and have lessons thanks to the money Mum gets from Police Legacy; this makes me happy as I love to play’.
Bailey is now 12 years of age and attending Good Shepherd Lutheran College in Howard Springs in Year 6, while Madison is now 9 and attending the Good Shepherd Lutheran College in Palmerston in Year 3.
NT Police Legacy was established in 1990 and continues to provide long-term care, connection and financial support to NT police officers and their loved ones.
Its services include education and career grants, social events, and critical assistance for those in the police family facing life without a loved one.
After its inaugural start last year National Police Legacy Day is held annually on 17 June — the anniversary of the founding of Queensland Police Legacy, Australia’s first such organisation, in 1971.
Today, eight Police Legacy organisations across the country are working to ensure that no police family faces loss alone.
NT Police Legacy Provisional Vice-Chair Marcus Tilbrook said ‘the day is an opportunity for Australia to celebrate the work of Police Legacy organisations’.
‘We hope that through National Police Legacy Day, we can celebrate and highlight the life-changing work being done by Police Legacy organisations around the country’.
‘The mission of Police Legacy is not only to honour the memory of those who served, but to ensure that the lives of those they leave behind are not defined by tragedy, but shaped by hope, resilience, and possibility.’
The logo for National Police Legacy Day is inspired by the Michaelmas daisy. The Michaelmas daisy is the flower of St Michael, the patron saint of police who protects those who have sworn to serve and remembers those no longer with us. We are proud to call it the Police Legacy Daisy.
For further information visit: www.ntpolicelegacy.com.au.
You can buy a Police Legacy Daisy pin for $5 through the link and QR code below to show your support.
