The Canadian Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Pavilion was erected at the back of the Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This timber building and glass panels with the names of all the Canadian Police and Peace Officers who have been killed in the Line of Duty overlook the Ottawa River.
 

The original Memorial Stones listing fallen Police and Correctional Officers.  These stones were replaced in 1998.

1978, 24 September – the first National Police & Correctional Officers was held

1984, 30 September – the Memorial Book of Remembrance was unveiled. It was presented by the Office of the Solicitor General of Canada. This book is located in a room in the East Block, and accessible to the public. The book is bound in burgundy goatskin, and the pages are made from pure natural Manitoba flax. This work was that of master-calligrapher John Whitehead, better known for his work on the Proclamation of the Constitution of Canada. John Whitehead died 07 April 1995.
 

1994, 22 March –the former Speaker’s Summer Pavilion overlooking the Ottawa River became the Canadian Police & Correctional Officers’ Memorial Pavilion, and was dedicated by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. At the same time there were also three grey granite stones unveiled. One stone listed police officers; another listed correctional officers, and a third stone explained the Memorial Pavilion.
1995, 14 September – the Canadian Peace Officers’ Memorial Association (CPOMA) was formed. Correctional Officer Vince Murray was the founding President.
1995, 24 September – the first year when all Canadian Peace Officers were included in the Memorial. Their names were also listed on the Peace Officers’ Memorial stone.
1996, 29 September – the Canadian Peace Officers’ Memorial Association (CPOMA) becomes the third party listed along with the CACP, and the CPA.
 

1998, 24 September – the Canadian government officially proclaimed the last Sunday of September each year as Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. The three stones at the Memorial Pavilion were replaced, this time there were two grey granite stones that stood about 4 feet in an upright position, one on either side of the walkway.
2000, 24 September – the 25 glass panels overlooking the Ottawa River were unveiled, replacing the granite stones. These panels are engraved with the names of all the fallen Police & Peace Officers in Canada.
2003, 17 January – Canadian Heritage declared the last Sunday of September as a day nation wide when flags are flown at half-mast on all federal buildings and establishments.
The National Memorial has grown into a weekend long event. The Ottawa Police Hall, a.k.a. Russell’s Lounge, and the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) are at the same location host a number of the events. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and the Canadian Peace Officers’ Memorial Association (CPOMA) are also representative bodies.