Police Commissioner Grant Stevens will lead the official party at a graveside ceremony at the Millicent Cemetery on April 28 to honour late Mounted Constable George Manhood.

He had died of natural causes at the age of 37 in 1943 while in charge of the Summertown Police Station in the Adelaide Hills.

His remains were brought back for burial in the Manhood family plot.

Each year on April 28, SA Police mark the anniversary of the foundation of the force in 1838 with commemorative events across the state.

Members of the SA Police Historical Society headed by retired deputy commissioner John White provide support.

In the case of Mounted Constable Manhood, Millicent historian Noel Boyle has located relatives and informed them of the commemoration.

“The ceremony on April 28 will recognise a highly regarded Millicent resident,” Mr Boyle said.

“The Manhoods are a well-known local family.”

Mounted Constable Manhood was held in very high esteem by the residents of the Summertown district during his five years there.

They paid for a granite memorial and it was unveiled by the Premier of South Australia Tom (later Sir Thomas) Playford.

It is said Mounted Constable Manhood worked long hours in his spare time instructing boys at the local school in woodwork, sold mulga brooches for the benefit of the Red Cross, and twice a week cut firewood for nurses at the Uraidla Hospital.

Later in the day, Commissioner Stevens will unveil a commemorative plaque at the heritage-listed former cells and stables at the rear of the Millicent police station.