Former Morpeth policeman Jeff Smith dies of cancer
By ALAN HARDIE
A popular police sergeant and grandfather who served at Morpeth for many years has died after battling a rare cancer believed to have begun after he was shot on duty 17 years ago.
Popular former Morpeth policeman Jeff ‘JJ’ Smith has died of cancer.
Popular former Morpeth policeman Jeff ‘JJ’ Smith has died of cancer.
Sergeant Jeff Smith, known to all as “JJ”, died in the Mater Hospice in Newcastle yesterday morning.
Sgt Smith, in his early 60s, was shot and seriously wounded at Nelson Bay police station in 1997 when he and another officer were talking to a young man in the old charge dock.
The man suddenly grabbed Sgt Smith’s Smith & Wesson revolver from his holster and fired.
The bullet struck Sgt Smith in the body, narrowly missing another officer.
The gunman fled up the road chased by police, but he would not stop.
As he ran, the man shot himself under the chin and died.
For Sgt Smith, his wound 17 years ago was the end of his police career – and the start of his – desperate bid to recover.
Police spoke yesterday of the well-loved officer who served in Morpeth for many years and was highly respected by his colleagues and the local community.
His friend Barry Archer told The Mercury: “Sgt Smith died at the Mater Hospice following a battle with a rare form of cancer that started after he was shot.”
Sgt Smith had a son and two daughters and five grandchildren.
His partner for 13 years, who did not wish to be named, said: “JJ’s career was cut short so tragically and he battled ill health for 17 years.
“A very unassuming person who served at Morpeth police station for many years, JJ had a strong moral compass and he left his mark on many people.”
Nelson Bay police station has since been renovated, but an original brick still bearing a crease carved by the bullet on that fateful day has been retained in the wall as a reminder to young officers of how situations can occur.
Senior Constable Clinton Walshe and the bullet mark in the brickwork from the shot that wounded Sergeant Jeff Smith many years ago.
Senior Constable Clinton Walshe and the bullet mark in the brickwork from the shot that wounded Sergeant Jeff Smith many years ago.
Superintendant Allan Thompson said it was believed the cause of Sgt Smith’s cancer was due to his gunshot injury.
“We believe what happened in Nelson Bay police station caused the start of his illness,” Supt Thompson said.
Sgt Ian Allwood, chair of the Port Stephens branch of the NSW Police Association, said: “Even today, that terrible incident in the police station lives with all of us.
“Sgt Smith is still regarded by his community and his peers for his bravery and his excellence.
“The sequence of events that led up to his last day at work is something he would never have expected.
“A man being questioned in the station’s old-style charge dock suddenly grabbed Sgt Smith’s revolver and fired, grievously wounding him.
“The gunman fled down Government Road pursued by police, but before he could be stopped, he shot himself under the chin.
“He would have come to work that morning with no idea of what would happen.”
Jeffrey John SMITH, 61 old, former Regd. No. 15681, an Unattached RPA Member.
Jeffrey passed away on 18/10/2014 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 1.39pm on Friday 31st Instant at Pettigrew Family Funerals Chapel.
. Funeral Service location
Retirement lunch for Supt. Wayne O’KEEFE
| 21/10/2014
Superintendent Wayne O’Keefe
Reg No 20398
Retirement Lunch: Gerroa Fishermans Club
Thursday 6 November 2014 12.30 to 4 pm
$50 incl 2 course lunch and gift
RSVP harr1rob@police.nsw.gov.au
BSB: 815000 A/C 279975S1 (for external transfers no S1)
Retirement Dinner Wayne O’Keefe
Your name as reference
[blockquote]
It would be great to see WOK’s past colleagues attend this function.
Wayne was at Lake Illawarra as a Sgt then Inspector Feb 2003 to May 2007 then Shoalhaven till 2012 he then progressed to the rank of Superintendent at OIA from Nov 2012.
[/blockquote]
Police Dog CARTS
| 21/10/2014
Police Dog CARTS
New South Wales Police Force
Died 9 December 2007
Murdered – stabbed
5 years old
4th NSWPF Dog to be killed ‘ on duty ‘ since formation of the Squad in 1932.
Police Dog CARTS & Senior Constable Dave WILLIAMSON.
The fourth Police Dog killed ‘ on duty ‘ was Police Dog Carts, who died after being stabbed during a police operation at Corrimal Surf Life Saving Club on December 9 last year. Last Wednesday, 18-year-old Nemanja Vukadinovic, of Balgownie, was sentenced to 18 months’ jail for fatally stabbing Carts.
Police Dog CARTS & Senior Constable Dave WILLIAMSON at David Carty Reserve, at the corner of Horsley Drive and Fairfield St, Fairfield.
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Location of Event: Corrimal Surf Life Saving Club
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Like his namesake, hero police dog ‘Carts’ slain on duty
By Gemma Jones
The Daily Telegraph
December 10, 200712:00AM
A POLICE dog named after a slain officer was stabbed to death yesterday morning after successfully cornering a fleeing suspect.
Senior police yesterday paid tribute to veteran Police Dog Carts, who was raised by police and named after murdered officer Constable David Carty.
Carts and his handler Senior Constable Brett Williams, were called to Corrimal Surf Life Saving Club north of Wollongong just after 3am yesterday following reports of a break in. Two offenders allegedly fled the scene when police arrived, with officers apprehending one of the men. The second alleged offender, an 18-year-old Balgownie man, fled and was chased by Carts into nearby bushes and cornered.”It will be alleged Police Dog Carts was stabbed with a sharp implement and later died in a veterinary hospital from his wounds,” a police spokesman said yesterday. “On this occasion, Carts was not wearing a vest as there was no indication of those people on the premises having any weapons.”
Special stab proof vests were brought in after Police Dog Titan was stabbed to death three years ago but Carts was not wearing one because it was believed the alleged offenders were unarmed.
Titan was the first police dog to be stabbed in the line of duty. His killer Luke Graham Curtis was last year sentenced to seven years jail over the killing.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Benson said Carts had served NSW Police with honour and in his final act had secured the arrest of an alleged offender.
“Without doubt he served with honour, he has performed his task, that was what he was trained for and tragically he has died,” Supt Benson said.
He said Carts death also highlighted the terrible loss of Constable Carty who was murdered at Fairfield in 1997.
“The death of David Carty still lives on in all our memories and whether it is this incident or any other, it is just the nature of police work,” Supt Benson said.
Carts’ first handler Sen-Constable David Williamson last year paid tribute to the special connection between his charge and Constable Carty when he took Carts to a memorial service.
Both alleged offenders were charged with aggravated break and enter and take conveyance without consent of owner.
Carts‘ alleged killer was also charged with kill or seriously injure animal used for law enforcement and use weapon to resist arrest. He was refused bail and will face court today.
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Police Dog Memorial – Thamoor NSW
Ode’ to Police Dogs – Will we leave a pawprint ?
Police Dog TITAN
| 21/10/2014
Police Dog TITAN
New South Wales Police Force
Died 23 December 2004
Murdered – stabbed
Police Dog TITAN – stabbed to death during a siege at Seven Hills, NSW.
Police Dog Titan. (Beychief Magic Return) Titan was tragically stabbed to death during a siege at Seven Hills, December 23rd, 2004.
His slaying caused new laws to be passed giving higher prison sentences for killing or injuring Police Service Animals. Titan‘s handler was Snr Const Sean McDowell.
Bill HANNINGTON formerly of the old Ballistics Unit, NSWPF
| 21/10/2014
Information on the health of Bill HANNINGTON.
Received advice to day that Bill HANNINGTON formerly of the old Ballistics Unit, NSWPF, had a bad heart attack last week and is presently in Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.
He is expected to survive.
Sorry that is all I know just in case any members may want to know.
Regards, Col Velmin
published on 17 October 2014
George Henry SARGENT
| 21/10/2014
George Henry SARGENT
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
JoinedNSW Police on 14 July 1884
Rank: Constable 1st Class, 1 November 1886
Senior Constable, 1 February 1890
Sergeant 1 April, 1896
Senior-sergeant, 1 December 1903
Sub-Inspector 19 November 1910
Licencing Inspector for the Goulburn District,
O.I.C. Goulburn
Stations: Darlinghurst ( No. 3 Station ) 1886 – 1903
The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June 1967 page 8 of 13
In the will of EDWARD JAMES WILSON late of South Strathfield in the State of New South Wales, Police Officer, deceased – Application will be made after 14 days from the publication hereof that Probate of the last Will and Testament dated 6th June 1943 of the above named deceased may be granted to Doris Selina Rose Wilson, the Executrix named in the said Will and all Notices may be served at the undermentioned address. All Creditors in the above Estate of the deceased are required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned. VINCENT J. BRADY, DONALD & Co. Solicitors, City Mutual Building, 50 Hunter Street, Sydney.
William Norman St. John MAULE
| 21/10/2014
William Norman St. John MAULE
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘Q’ 3939
NSWPF – ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Mounted Constable
Service: From 6 June 1881 to 8 December 1881 = 6 months Service
Stations: Goulburn ( only six weeks )
Born: 23 October 1853 in England
Died: Thursday 8 December 1881
Age: 28 old
Cause: Accident – Thrown from horse – On Duty
Funeral: Saturday 10 December 1881
Buried: at St Saviour’s Cemetery,
Cemetery St, Goulburn ( opposite the gaol )
GPS of grave: -34.74095, 149.74291
The Pointer on the below map is the exact point of the grave
NSW Deaths Registration # 4783/1881
On Thursday 8 December 1881, the Mounted Constable who had only been stationed at Goulburn for about six weeks after leaving the Police Depot ( Redfern Police Academy ), was riding his Police Mount with Mounted Constable Pritzler to Mummel ( an area nth west of Goulburn ) to fetch a person suspected to be of unsound mind.
Maule was riding ahead and Pritzler was behind, when Maule‘s horse shied and plunged forward over a log, causing Maule ( an inexperienced rider ) to lose one of his stirrups. The horse jumped a second log and Maule lost his second stirrup iron and was unseated and fell with his head violently against a tree.
Maule, unconscious and bleeding from the nose, was later loaded into a buggy, with the assistance of the messenger and the prisoner, and taken into Goulburn Hospital – arriving there about 5.30pm.
Maule died from his injuries about 10.30pm as a result of his injuries, including a smashed lower jaw, a split lip, broken nose and severe cut over the temple & concussion of the brain.
Maule was not married.
An Inquest was held on Friday 9 December 1881 with a verdict that Maule was killed by being thrown from his horse accidentally, and added as a rider that they think that more discretion might be exercised in the Sydney depot as to the horsemanship of the men they send out for duty in the country.
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Maule joined the New South Wales Police Force in June 1881. He left England and came to Australia, though it appears his siblings remained in England. We don’t know why he chose to come to Australia and join the NSW Police Force. Two of his brothers served in the military, as did his father, and one of his brothers was a solicitor. His grandfather was a chaplain and his great-grandfather – mayor, alderman and burgess of Huntingdon.
[alert_red]WILLIAM is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red] * BUT SHOULD BE
( This incident was discovered, by accident, in September 2014, by Cal, whilst searching Trove. This Constable is NOT mentioned in any documentation or recognised as having been killed ” on duty ” by the NSW Police Force, at this time, or mentioned on any official Wall of Remembrance. Shortly, this matter will be brought to the attention of those who have the ability to have this Constable officially recognised as being killed ” on duty “. )
Upon checking npm.org.au on 2 May 2018 – William is NOW mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
[alert_green]WILLIAM IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
An inquest was held last evening at the Goulburn Hospital by the coroner, Mr. Betts, on the body of William Norman St. George Maule, who had died from the effects of injuries received on the previous day. The jury having been sworn and the body viewed, the following evidence was taken: — Simon Pritzler, a mounted policeman stationed at Goulburn, deposed: The body just viewed was that of constable Maule, of the N.S.W. police ; he had been in the force since last June; the deceased was single and 28 years of age ; on Thursday afternoon last he and witness were going to Mummel and got along all right for about 13 miles, when the deceased’s horse shied to the right of a tree and Maule had pulled him to the left; then he had lost one of his stirrup-irons, when the horse bolted, and about 20 yards away witness saw the horse jump a log, when the deceased lost his other stirrup-iron ; witness then saw the deceased lying on the horse’s neck ; the horse took another bound and the deceased fell off; witness, on galloping up, found him lying on the ground insensible; the deceased’s face was all knocked in ; he sent for assistance and fetched him into Goulburn Hospital in a buggy ; he never recovered consciousness and died five hours after the accident occurred ; witness thought deceased must have been dashed against a tree by the horse just after falling off as it rushed on. Deceased was not a good horseman, having no control over his reins.
Dr. Gentle deposed that he had been asked to see the deceased on the previous evening and found him in a comatose condition with nose broken also lower jaw. He found in addition a wound over left eve about 2 inches in length exposing the bone; blood flowed from his right ear. He believed concussion of the brain to be the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met his death by being accidentally thrown from his horse and they would like to add a rider to the effect that they think more discretion might be exercised in the Sydney depot as to the horsemanship of the men sent out for duty service in the country.
( On Tuesday 7 October 2014, I attended the Mortis Street General Cemetery, Goulburn, in an attempt to locate the grave of this Constable. Unfortunately, this historic cemetery is in an extremely poor state with most of the head stones having fallen and most of the graves heavily overgrown with weeds.
There are hundreds of graves at this location, dating back to the early – mid 1800’s. I had to attend the local library where I obtained the attached ‘ plan ‘ of the cemetery in order to find plat CE79 – the recorded location of the Constables grave.
I returned to the cemetery but, at this stage, could not find CE79 at the location as there are many unmarked graves and fallen head stones in this, Goulburns second oldest cemetery which was established in the late 1830’s. )
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Some records have him buried at Goulburn Anglican Cemetery, Cemetery St, Goulburn ( near the gaol ) plot CE79 but his grave is located at the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, OPPOSITE the Goulburn Gaol & NOT in the Mortis St Cemetery.
On Tuesday 24 April 2018 I attended the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, opposite the Goulburn Gaol where I located the grave of MAULE.
The below images are what it presented like on that date.
GPS of grave: -34.74095, 149.74291
The grave has been cleaned up and headstone cleaned also. The cleaning has made the inscription, especially the dates, a lot harder to read.
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On Tuesday 21 October 2014 I attended the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, opposite the Goulburn Gaol where I located the grave of MAULE.
The below images are what it presented like on that date.
GPS of grave: -34.74091, 149.74289
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
[blockquote]
note:
Email sent:
G’day Bundy,
During my research for my website, I have come across another NSW Mounted Constable who was killed ‘ on duty ‘ at Goulburn on Thursday 8 December 1853 as result of horse accident.
See the link for further details and photos of the grave: https://police.freom.com/william-norman-st-john-maule/
This man is NOT mentioned on any official documentation in relation to the Wall of Remembrance and, according to the paper’s, was ‘ on duty ‘ at the time of the horse accident which resulted in his death.
Can you forward this information so that he may be officially recognised to be included in the Wall of Remembrance.
Cheers mate
Greg ‘ Cal ‘ Callander www.AustralianPolice.com.au 23 October 2014
[/blockquote]
Wayne Geoffrey HACK
| 21/10/2014
Wayne Geoffrey HACK
Late of Lurnea, NSW
NSW Police Cadet
New South Wales Police Force
Cadet # 2082
Regd. # 12564
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 29 November 1965
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 30 April 1993
Born: 17 May 1948
Age: 66
Event location: ???
Event date: 8 September 2014
Died: 8 September 2014
Funeral Date: Monday 22 September 2014 @ 11am
Funeral location: North Chapel of Forest Lawn Crematorium, Camden Valley Way, Leppington
Memorial location:
Wayne and his wife were on a cruise ship. He walked onto the deck and collapsed.
Wayne grew up in the Taree area and used to live at Croki on Jones Island near Taree as a kid.
Funeral is proposed to be held at 11am on Monday 22nd Instant at the North Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Park,Leppington.
HACK, Wayne
Late of Lurnea
1948 – 2014
Passed away suddenly September 8, 2014 Aged 66 years
Wonderful husband of Ann. Devoted Dad and Grandad to his children and grandchildren.
Sadly missed by all his family and friends.
Family and friends of WAYNE are warmly invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held on Monday September 22, 2014 in the North Chapel of Forest Lawn Crematorium, Camden Valley Way, Leppington at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House, donations can be made at the Chapel.
MAX PERRAMS FUNERALS
143 George Street, Liverpool”Opposite Police Station”
September 2012 : The first “Retired Police Day” was held by the combined Liverpool LAC and Green Valley LAC. It was hosted by the respective LAC Commanders Supt Raymond King and Supt Jim Johnson.
The function was held at the Liverpool Catholic Club at Hoxton Park, attended by more than 30 retired Police Officers.
Some of those who attended were retirees : – Alan Randall; Bob Durbin; Bob McMahon; Brian Rope; Dianne Weston; Don Rizzi; Ged Kervin; George Kovacs; Henry Krupa; Jim Greiss; Joe Stanioch; John Sweeney; Michael Kennedy; Michael Weston; Noel Short; Peter Wick; Roger Ford; Ron Flockhart; Steve Packer; Vince Valenti; Warren Mustow; Wayne Hack; and a few others.
