Four days after Constable Mia Lay died while on duty, flowers at the Gibbons Street crash site have become part of a much wider day of remembrance for fallen police officers.
The 20-year-old constable was among those remembered on National Police Remembrance Day on Tuesday, 29 September, with messages honouring her service appearing alongside the roadside memorial that has grown in Redfern. Constable Lay was travelling in a police vehicle that struck a tree about 1:30am on 25 September. She and a 24-year-old male colleague had been responding to reports of a vehicle theft in Glebe when the crash occurred.
Flowers, Family and A Locker Left Behind
The memorial on Gibbons Street has remained a focal point in the days since the crash. Constable Lay’s parents, sister and partner Daniel Vasquez visited the scene over the weekend, where flowers continued to accumulate near the tree.
Her father, Clem Lay, has been determined that his daughter be remembered for more than the final moments of her life. He described her as strong-minded, athletic and full of energy, recalling a young woman who had been happy in both her career and personal life.
Vasquez, also a police officer, remembered her as the love of his life and spoke of how much she enjoyed policing. Constable Lay’s mother later visited Redfern Police Station and was shown her daughter’s locker — a stark reminder of a career that had only just begun.
From The Football Field To The Force
Long before the uniform, sport was a major part of Constable Lay’s life. She played football for APIA Leichhardt FC and competed in futsal, with her father recalling that she had been close to pursuing the game at a higher level.
Instead, she joined NSW Police. Constable Lay graduated from the police academy in May 2025 and had served for about 16 months. Her father said she had spoken about possibly joining the NSW Police Dog Squad later in her career.
Her former school communities have also joined the mourning. Sydney Catholic Schools confirmed she attended St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School in Malabar before graduating from Brigidine College, Randwick. Messages left beneath the tribute remembered her as a much-loved student and young woman.
NSW Police honoured Constable Lay after her death, while Tasmania Police and South Australia Police also sent condolences. A minute’s silence was later observed before the Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights NRL preliminary final.
Her Name Carried Into Remembrance Day
Constable Lay’s death remained prominent as National Police Remembrance Day was marked across Australia. Mr Andrew Wallace referred specifically to the 20-year-old constable in his Remembrance Day message, describing her death the previous week as a reminder of the dangers faced by officers on duty. Mr Dan Repacholi also named Constable Lay, noting she had been only 16 months into her policing career when she died while responding to a call.
Their messages came as the flowers in Redfern continued to grow around a memorial that was only days old. The officer driving the police vehicle survived the crash and was later released from hospital. A critical incident investigation is examining the circumstances of the collision, including the vehicle’s speed and the nature of the response under way at the time.
Crash investigators are expected to examine vehicle data and CCTV as part of the reconstruction. The NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is overseeing the NSW Police investigation.
Published 29-September-2026
