Constable James Butler (29) died on January 2, 1938, after being assaulted at Dunedin Police Station.
A violent, drunken prisoner broke free while being taken to the cells on Christmas Day in 1937. He attacked Const Butler, kicking him several times.
Eight days later, Const Butler died in Dunedin Hospital from a pulmonary embolism. It was believed the attack dislodged a blood clot which moved to his lung.
Constable Butler had been a policeman for five years.
Seventy police colleagues escorted his coffin from Dunedin Hospital to the Central Police Station.
It was then put on a train, attended by a sergeant, for the long journey to the family's home town of Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay.
He was buried alongside his father John, who was also a constable.
Constable Butler is one of three New Zealand police officers who will be formally recognised for the first time, at this year's Police Remembrance Day.
The others were Constable Louis Hekenui Bidois, who died in 1955 from a brain injury sustained six years earlier in an assault at Te Whaiti, Bay of Plenty; and Detective Constable Ronald Bernard Hill, of Palmerston North CIB, who was killed in a car crash while on duty, on May 25, 1969.
Commissioner of Police Mike Bush said plaques commemorating the three slain officers have been added to the Memorial Wall at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.
''These staff members have been identified through the ongoing Recognition Project, which was set up three years ago to ensure that we properly acknowledge those who have given their lives in the course of their work.''
Last year the project led to recognition at Remembrance Day of 38 staff members who died through accident or illness arising from their work, alongside the 29 officers killed as a result of a criminal act, whom police recognise every year.
''We needed to find a way to honour those who lost their lives in crashes, accidents, explosions, by drowning or from illnesses contracted while carrying out their police duties.
''Their contribution is part of our history and they need to be formally recognised,'' Mr Bush said.
Police Remembrance Day is held every year on September 29, the feast day of the Archangel Michael, patron saint of police.
This year, the 32 officers slain on duty and 40 officers and employees who have died as a result of duty since 1886, will be remembered along with serving and former constabulary staff and employees who have died in the past year.
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy will attend the Police Remembrance Day ceremony at Royal New Zealand Police College, her first official engagement as Governor-General.
Mr Bush, the police executive, and members of the diplomatic corps will also join police staff, family and friends in paying tribute to the fallen officers.
