Thousands of police and members of the public will pause around the country today, recognising those officers who have died in the line of duty.

Today’s commemorations are for National Police Remembrance Day, which actually falls on Sunday, honours those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and through injury or illness.

The first recorded death of a police officer in Australia was Constable Joseph Luca on August 26, 1803 and among the most recent was Constable Timothy Proctor who died in February this year.

His wife and newborn son, who he never got to meet, will be involved in the Sydney memorial at The Domain.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller tells Alan Jones it’s an emotional day for all involved.

“There’s not too many jobs when you walk out the door in the morning… and you can never really be sure if they will come home or not and that’s a pretty heavy burden to wear.

Alan Jones says, “it’s hard contemplating what today means” for those families.

“[They’re] extraordinary people. That’s what I think.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview