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Police Dog CARTS

| 17/10/2014

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 WILLIAMS.
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 WILLIAMS at David Carty Reserve, at the corner of Horsley Drive and Fairfield St, Fairfield.
Police Dog CARTS & Senior Constable Dave WILLIAMSON at David Carty Reserve, at the corner of Horsley Drive and Fairfield St, Fairfield.

Police Dog CARTS

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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, 2007 12:00AM

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
Police Dog Memorial – Thamoor NSW

Ode' to Police Dogs - Will we leave a pawprint ?
Ode’ to Police Dogs – Will we leave a pawprint ?



Police Dog TITAN

| 17/10/2014

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 – 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.

http://www.beychief.com/in-memory-killed-in-the-l.asp

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Police Dog Memorial - Thamoor NSW
Police Dog Memorial – Thamoor NSW

 

Ode' to Police Dogs - Will we leave a pawprint ?
Ode’ to Police Dogs – Will we leave a pawprint ?



Ashley John HARDIN

| 17/10/2014

Ashley John HARDIN

aka Bull

( late of Captains Flat )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?????

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Sutherland L.A.C. ( Menai & Sutherland ) – 1996 – 1998

Awards:  ?

Service:  From  ?  to 14 September 1998 = ? years Service

Born:  Wednesday  5 November 1975

Died:  Monday  14 September 1998

Age:  22 years,  10 months,  9 days

Event date:  14 September 1998 at Darkes Forest ( Illawarra Highlands )

Cause:  Illness – Depression – Suicide by Service revolver

Event location:  Darkes Forest ( Illawarra Highlands )

Funeral date:  Friday  19 September 1998

Funeral location:  Anglican Church, Sutherland

Grave location:  Cremated

 

Ashley is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

 

Constable Ashley John HARDIN, NSWPF
Constable Ashley John HARDIN, NSWPF

Ashley HARDIN, aka Bull, died as the result of a gun shot wound to the head with his service revolver.

He committed suicide as a result of how Police management treated him in relation to a 181D ( show cause why his employment should not be terminated ).

The NSW Police Commissioner at the time was Peter Ryan.

Plaque in the Muster Room of Sutherland Police Station in memory of Ashley John HARDIN
Plaque in the Muster Room of Sutherland Police Station in memory of Ashley John HARDIN

 

14 September 2015:

Ray Lambie:  Gosh it is bad today! I went to Sutherland in 1998 & I was a team leader there. Bull was on my team and had suffered a malicious complaint arising from a domestic dispute that had occurred prior to his entry to the academy. Every time the domestic dispute was re visited a complaint was lodged with NSWPOL. He was cleared to enter the job, cleared whilst in the job on a number of occasions. In 1998 when the domestic complaint was raised again PIAB decided to give Bull a 181D ostensibly to make him do the work to get out of the complaint merry go round. He was suspended. He one day came in and took his service revolver to Darks Forest and committed suicide. On the day of his funeral I returned to the Sutherland Police Station and submitted my resignation. An absolute disgrace.

 



John McNALLY

| 17/10/2014

John McNALLY

( the First Victorian Policeman killed ‘ on duty ” )

Victoria Police Force

Sergeant

Murdered – shot

Born  1826

Died  16 October 1856

30 old

 

McNally, John (1826–1856)

Intelligence was received on Saturday morning last, at the Detective Office, that on the preceding Thursday, the 16th inst., two of the mounted police force, Sergeant [John] McNally and Constable Moore, proceeded at seven o’clock on the night in question to a tent believed to be occupied by the notorious William Turner, alias Gipsy Smith, who stands charged with various acts of highway robbery, and with dismounting a constable from his horse near Castlemaine several months ago, and with escaping from custody.

On approaching the tent, the officers recognised Turner, who attempted to make his escape. The officers immediately closed with him, and, during the struggle, shots were fired from the tent, one of which entered the breast of Sergeant McNally, who fell dead on the spot. Several other shots were fired, and wounded the constable (Moore) severely in the face and other parts of the body.

As soon as the intelligence reached the Camp at Mount Ararat, the police went in search of the bushrangers, who, however, succeeded in eluding their vigilance. A woman was arrested in the tent. An active search is in progress, and it is thought the criminals cannot long escape detection. The gang, supposed to be under the leadership of Turner, is, without doubt, the same as that which committed the late daring acts of bushranging near Moliagul.

http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mcnally-john-15338

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John McNally - VicPol - 1st VicPol to be murdered on duty - plaque 2Sgt John McNally

Sergeant John McNally became the first member of the Victoria Police to be feloniously slain in the line of duty when he was murdered at the Cathcart diggings on 16th October, 1856.

http://hotel-lima.com.au/wp-content/themes/clean-start-master/thumbnaillarge/VictoriaMap.png

Whilst trying to arrest a suspect (Gypsy Smith) over a string of armed robberies, an associate of the suspect intervened and fired his shotgun, killing Sergeant McNally and seriously injuring his partner, Constable John Moore. The two offenders then made their escape. Seven days later, the pair were arrested near Amherst and charged with the murder of McNally. One of the offenders was hanged in 1857 and the other received a sentence of fifteen years hard labour.

The offender, William Smith (Gypsy Smith) was transported to Botany Bay at the age of 15 for stealing a handkerchief. He went on to become a hardened bush ranger who, between the years of 1852 and 1856, became the notorious ‘Gypsy Smith’, a subject of fascination for the newspapers and police as he and his gang of desperate convicts created fear among the gold diggings of Victoria.

Sergeant McNally is buried in Cathcart Cemetery on a hill known as McNally’ Hill. The Cemetery is in a natural bushland setting and is very well maintained.

The emergency department at Ararat Hospital is known as the John McNally Emergency Department.

Cathcart is approx. 4.6 km from Ararat and is approx. 345 m above sea level. There is no town at Cathcart, it is only an area. It was a large attraction for Gold Miners in the early 1800′s.  People from England, Ireland, Scotland, America, Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia and China descended on Cathcart to look for gold. Also many other from Australia took their families there as well.

There were many stories about horse thieves and murderers in the old days and these were dealt with tough justice by a self-established vigilante committee.
After the first rush the lead was lost and most miners moved on to other diggings except one of the original party J. P. Rodd who was in partnership with an American Negro Richard Davis (alias Black Harry). They traced the gold deeper and hit another lead calling it Blackman Lead. This attracted 3,000 diggers to the area, other leads were discovered each causing a new rush of miners.
The general area became known as Cathcart and with time the name was given to the Township where stores, school, hall and hotels had sprung up. There were many tents and lean-to shanties.
Today there is little evidence of the hustle and bustle of the frenzied gold diggers and their lively community of dreamers. Except maybe the Cemetery, which is on the Ararat- Pomonal Rd.

 

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http://www.npm.org.au/honour-roll/mcnally

Sergeant John McNally:  The system of registered number for police hadn’t been introduced when Sergeant John McNally was murdered on the Mt Ararat goldfield in 1856.  He had joined the Victoria Police Force the previous year after service with the Royal Irish Constabulary.

On October 16, 1856 Sergeant McNally and Constable John Moore where told that William Turner, a wanted robber was staying in a tent in a camp about two miles away.  Turner tired to flee but the police wrestled him to the ground.  Turner called for help from his associate, William Twigham.  Also known as Cockney Bill, Twigham came out of the tent armed with a double-barrelled shotgun.  He fired, killing Sergeant McNally and wounding Constable Moore.

Turner and Twigham escaped and a reward of  £400 was offered for their arrest.  They were arrested a week later at the Adelaide diggings after being recognised by a shopkeeper.

After a trial held at Castlemaine, Twigham was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.  he was hanged at the Melbourne Gaol on March 11, 1857.

Turner pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years hard labour on the roads and other public works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Life of Sergeant John McNally’s murderer subject of new book

By BEN KIMBER

http://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/story/1433380/life-of-sergeant-john-mcnallys-murderer-subject-of-new-book/

ARARAT – A book chronicling the life and times of the man responsible for the murder of police sergeant John McNally in 1856 is nearing completion.

The text, which is yet to be titled, tells the story of William Sydenham Smith and how his life of crime led to him crossing paths with Sergeant McNally.

Sergeant McNally was the first member of the Victorian Police force to be slain in the line of duty.

The research team of Marion McAdie, Greg Vivian, and Ian Batty along with author Laurie Moore have spent over 12 months on the book.

Mrs McAdie said she along with the genealogical society wanted to find the facts surrounding the murder of Sergeant McNally.

“Unfortunately, after much research we still know little about McNally or his partner Constable John Moore, who was wounded in the same incident,” she said.

The book uses Smith’s history to provide a broader context to the death of McNally.

“Like the public perception of most Australian bush rangers, Smith comes across in most accounts as a one-dimensional person,” Mrs McAdie said.

“His origins from England as a transported convict at the age of fifteen, his brutal treatment for minor misdemeanours at the hands of a ruthless system, his heroism in saving lives during his imprisonment, and his eventual participation as a free man in colonial New South Wales and Victoria, have never been mentioned before.

“As in many cases of murder by bush rangers, the victim hardly rates a mention and we hope that this book may help recognise the heroism and positive contributions made by the early police on the goldfields.”

Mrs McAdie said she believes it is an important story because it tells of how a young William Smith was transported to Botany Bay at the age of 15 for stealing a handkerchief.

“It traces his experiences as a convict around Sydney, Norfolk Island and Tasmania before he escaped in a whale boat from Tasmania,” she said.

The book goes on to show how the young boy became a hardened bush ranger who, between the years of 1852 and 1856, became the notorious ‘Gypsey Smith’, a subject of fascination for the newspapers and police as he and his gang of desperate convicts created fear among the gold diggings of Victoria.

The story culminates in the events at Cathcart diggings on October 16, 1856 when the bush rangers were confronted by Sergeant McNally and Constable Moore, leaving one dead and the other wounded.

“After the eventual capture of the bush rangers near Maryborough, Smith’s mate was hanged but a strange fate awaited Smith, and this is detailed in the forthcoming book,” Mrs McAdie said.

Although the story revolves around a bush ranger, it is set among the goldfields of 1850s’ Victoria.

It touches on the lives of many ordinary people, the legal system, the squatters, and the impacts of convicts who came in large numbers to look for gold and rob and terrorise the infant community.

“It is a good read and one that is set in Sydney, Norfolk Island, Tasmania, Melbourne, Yackandandah, Moliagul, Maryborough, Amherst, Beaufort, Ararat, Cathcart and Hay in New South Wales,” Mrs McAdie said.

The book’s author, Laurie Moore retired from Sydney to live in Western Victoria thirteen years ago.

Mr Moore’s first book involved nearly ten years of research by Mr Moore and his wife Dianne.

It told the story of the last declared outlaw in Australia, Jimmy Governor, who was the fictional character, Jimmie Blacksmith, in the book written by Thomas Keneally.

Since then he has written ‘Shot for Gold’, a bush ranging story that happened near Smythesdale, a draft for a book on the Clark Gang of Braidwood, and has now put together the history of the killing of the policeman, Sergeant John McNally, and the convict and bush ranging events that led to his death in October 1856 at Cathcart.

Mrs McAdie said despite all the hours of research the team still can’t place an exact location of the burial site of sergeant McNally.

“We would love to hear from people about the exact location,” she said.

“We think the site is located in the north west corner of the now Cathcart cemetery.”

The team hope to have the book finished by the 157th anniversary of the event on October 16 this year.

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Sergeant John McNallyPrint Page Print this page

Plaque at gravesite commemorates Police Sergeant John Mc Nally who was murdered whilst on duty in October 1854.

Sergeant John McNally became the first member of Victoria Police to be feloniously slain in the line of duty when he was murdered at the Mt Ararat goldfields on 16th October, 1856. Whilst trying to arrest a suspect over a string of armed robberies an associate of the suspect intervened and fired his shotgun, killing Sergeant McNally and seriously injuring his partner, Constable John Moore. The two offenders then made their escape. Seven days later, the pair were arrested near Amherst and charged with the murder of McNally. One of the offenders was hanged in 1857 and the other received a sentence of fifteen years hard labour.

Location

Address: Phillips Flat Road, Cathcart Cemetery, Cathcart, 3377
State: VIC
Area: AUS
GPS Coordinates: Lat: -37.319616
Long: 142.888729
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

View Google Map

Details

Monument Type: Plaque
Monument Theme: People
Sub-Theme: Crime
Actual Event STart Date: 16-October-1854
Actual Event End Date: 16-October-1854

Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date: 1974
Front Inscription
In memory Sgt. John McNally who was murdered whilst in the execution of his duty 16-10-1854. Erected by Victoria Police Department 1974.

Source: MA,RHSV

Monument details supplied by Monument Australia – www.monumentaustralia.org.au
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The John McNally Medical Imaging Unit at Ararat Hospital

With substantial donations from the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation the Ararat Hospital was able to purchase an image intensifier for its surgical department and new X-Ray equipment for the Medical Imaging Unit. This was a joint project between the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the local community through the Ararat Branch and was dedicated as a Police Memorial in memory of Sergeant John McNally who was murdered at the Mt Ararat Goldfields in 1856.

http://www.remember.org.au/Memorials/Hospitals/The-John-McNally-Medical-Imaging-Unit-at-Ararat-Ho

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The John McNally Emergency Department at Ararat Hospital

 

In 2003 works commenced on a complete redevelopment of the Ararat Hospital and the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was able to contribute to the re-building of the emergency department. This was completed as a joint project in partnership with the local community through the Ararat Barnch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Today the Ararat Hospital Emergency Department can provide state of the art emergency & trauma care to the people of Ararat and surrounding districts. This project, commissioned as a Police Memorial in May 2004, was the first stage in a continuing relationship with the community of Ararat and their public hospital.

Sergeant John McNally became the first member of Victoria Police to be feloniously slain in the line of duty when he was murdered at the Mt Ararat goldfields on 16th October, 1856. Whilst trying to arrest a suspect over a string of armed robberies an associate of the suspect intervened and fired his shotgun, killing Sergeant McNally and seriously injuring his partner, Constable John Moore. Sergeant McNally’s sacrifice is acknowledged through this an other projects installed at the Ararat Hospital.

http://www.remember.org.au/Memorials/Hospitals/The-John-McNally-Emergency-Department-at-Ararat-Ho

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Damian LEEDING

| 17/10/2014

Damian LEEDING

Queensland Police

Detective Senior Constable

Coomera Police Station

34 old

Born  17th January, 1976

Murdered – Shot on 29 May 2011

Died  1 June 2011

Funeral

Tuesday, 7th June, 2011

Gold Coast Convention Centre, corner of Gold Coast Highway and TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach,  commencing at 11.00 a.m.

 

 

Damian LEEDING and his son

Policeman shot in face on Gold Coast

By Andree Withey and Russell Varley
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-30/policeman-shot-in-face-fighting-for-life/2736458

Andree Withey and Russell Varley

Updated Mon 30 May 2011, 5:26am AEST

Senior Constable Damian Leeding was responding to a triple-0 call at the Pacific Pines Tavern when he was shot. (ABC TV)

A police officer is fighting for his life in hospital after being shot in the face during an armed hold-up on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Senior Constable Damian Leeding, 34, from Coomera was responding a triple-0 call at the Pacific Pines Tavern when he was shot in the face as he approached the tavern.

Queensland Police Union (QPU) president Ian Leavers says Senior Constable Leeding was one of the first officers to arrive at the scene just before 11pm (AEST).

“Damian and a female detective were responding to alleged armed robbery in progress and upon approaching the tavern the offender has come towards Damian and he has been shot in the head,” he said.

It is understood three people armed with guns had been threatening staff and customers at the tavern.

Police say they believe up to seven people had been involved in the hold-up.

Police detained two men as they tried to run into nearby parkland and they are being questioned about the incident.

One was bitten by a police dog.

Ambulance officers assessed the man but say he did not require hospital treatment.

Police have cordoned off the area and are searching for the remaining five suspects.

Mr Leavers says Senior Constable Leeding has undergone emergency surgery in the Gold Coast hospital and is in a critical condition.

He says he has been to the hospital and spoken with the female detective who was with Senior Constable Leeding at the time of the shooting.

“This is unfortunately the unpredictable nature of police work which can occur from time to time, but it is tragic and we are hoping for a good outcome,” he said.

Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts says the shooting highlights the risks and dangers of police work.

“We just need to let police to fully investigate the matter,” he said.

“We really do ask anyone with any bit of information – no matter how small – to please ring Crimestoppers.

“This is a very difficult time for the family and really our hearts and minds are with them at the moment.”

Mr Leavers says Senior Constable Leeding is a well respected officer with Coomera CIB.

“Damian is a married man – his wife is also a police officer and he has two very young children,” he said.

“It is a very distressing time and our prayers and thoughts are with them.

“I have spoken to the colleagues and police on the scene and all are hoping for the best possible outcome and our prayers and thoughts are with Damian and his family.”

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said at a press conference “the worst situation almost that you could possibly imagine for us has occurred”.

Commissioner Atkinson says officers at Coomera CIB will be given extra support.

“It’s our intention to bring in extra police from outside to help in the staffing of Coomera for the next 48 hours so that the officers at least have additional back-up there,” Commissioner Atkinson said.

“If they choose to take some time off and then we can support them in that regard.”

Commissioner Atkinson says he believes the incident will touch the wider community.

“I think there will be an outpouring of support for people who in the daily course of their duties put their own safety at risk to protect the public,” he said.

 

 

Shot policeman: ‘We’re expecting the worst’
Marissa Calligeros
May 31, 2011 – 9:26AM

The UK family of shot police officer Senior Constable Damian Leeding is rushing to reach his Gold Coast bedside as the trio charged with his attempted murder prepares to face court.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers joined Senior Constable Leeding‘s wife Sonya in prayer this morning at the intensive care unit of Gold Coast Hospital, where the plain clothes detective remains on life support.

Senior Constable Leeding was shot in the face at point-blank range after he leapt over a fence and came face-to-face with a bandit armed with a sawn-off shotgun at a Gold Coast pub on Sunday night.
“There is not much we can do but wait,” Mr Leavers said this morning.

“His injuries are very, very serious, as you can imagine from a gunshot injury to the head.

“We’re expecting the worst, but hoping for the best.”

Senior Constable Leeding, 35, had recently returned to duty after the birth of their three-month-old daughter Grace. Sonya, a fellow police officer, remains on maternity leave. The pair also have a two-year old son, Hudson.

Mr Leavers described Senior Constable Leeding as a “supremely fit man” and keen triathlete.

“Damian is a fighter and if anyone can pull through this it’s going to be him,” he said.

His father and sister were due to fly to the Gold Coast from the UK today.

Two men and a woman are due to face Southport Magistrates Court today charged with attempted murder, armed robbery and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.

Senior Constable Leeding responded to a triple-0 call from the Pacific Pines Tavern about 10.30pm.

Inside, two armed bandits had allegedly held hostage and tied the hands of seven people – four patrons, two staff and a security guard – and were demanding money.

Police have said the robbery was meticulously planned. Their accomplice was keeping watch and reportedly warned the pair inside that police had arrived over a walkie-talkie.

When Senior Constable Leeding leaped a fence he came face-to-face with one of the bandits and was shot in the face at point-blank range.

Senior Constable Jackson rushed to her partner’s aid and began to perform CPR as a dog squad officer arrived and pursued the alleged attackers.

Two, a man and a woman, were soon apprehended in nearby parkland. A second man was arrested yesterday morning.

Police yesterday charged the two men, aged 37 and 38, and a 37-year-old woman, all from Nerang.

Tributes have flooded social networking site Facebook for the officer who excelled to reach the rank of plain clothes detective after eights years in the force.

“Stay strong Damian. I hope that you are able to recover from this senseless act against you,” Tania Sherley wrote.

Das Pedro wrote: “Pull through champ, hearts and thoughts are with you.”

Senior Constable Leeding was stationed at Surfers Paradise police station after he graduated from the police academy in 2003 with an award for his physical fitness.

He then joined the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch, before being posted to Coomera CIB when it was established 18 months ago.

His wife Sonya had worked at Runaway Bay, but is currently on maternity leave.

 

 

Funeral Details:

LEEDING, Damian Detective Senior Constable Late of Upper Coomera, formerly of Highland Park.

17th January, 1976 to 1st June, 2011. Aged 35 years

Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his Friends. “At Great Cost, With Honour We Serve”

Loving Husband of Sonya. Adored & Proud Father of Hudson and Grace. Much loved Son of Stephen and Julie. Loved Brother of Hayley and Chantelle. Much loved Son-in- law of Garry and Margaret. Greatly missed Brother-in-law to Melanie, Shane and Christie, and loved Uncle to his Nieces and Nephews.

Relatives and Friends and Colleagues of The Late Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, are warmly invited to attend his Funeral with full Queensland Police Honours. To be held in the Gold Coast Convention Centre, corner of Gold Coast Highway and TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach, Tuesday, 7th June, 2011 commencing at 11.00 a.m.. No flowers by request. Donations would be appreciated to the Damian Leeding Remembrance fund.

 

 

Lawyer defending one of accused in Damian Leeding trial tells jury officer’s actions ‘rash, dangerous’

  • Brooke Baskin
  • The Courier-Mail
  • September 20, 2013 1:40PM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/lawyer-defending-one-of-accused-in-damian-leeding-trial-tells-jury-officer8217s-actions-8216rash-dangerous8217/story-fnihsrf2-1226723590521

A POLICEMAN who was gunned down outside a Gold Coast tavern made the “rash, ill-considered and highly-dangerous” decision to open fire on an armed robber, who reacted “in self-defence”.

 

 

POLICE MURDERER Phillip Graeme Abell after Sen-Constable Algie and Bosun tracked his scent, moving slowly through the scrub for around 300m.

Officer Damian Leeding’s family rejoices as killer Phillip Graeme Abell is sentenced to life in jail without parole

  • Brooke Baskin
  • The Courier-Mail
  • October 09, 2013 12:00AM

A VIOLENT, gun-toting career criminal and convicted bank robber yesterday stood head bowed and showed no emotion as he was given life in prison for killing Gold Coast policeman Damian Leeding.

Phillip Graeme Abell, 41, stood with a hardened face as he was told he would serve a life sentence without parole for the shooting murder on May 29, 2011.

Outside court, the father-of-two’s family rejoiced at the sentence but shared their heartbreak.

“We would just like to say how grateful we are to the judge and the court for the length of the sentence,” mum Julie Waters said.

“Obviously that’s never going to bring Damian back, but nothing is enough to bring Damian back, ever …”

Abell was sentenced to 18 years jail for the terrifying armed robbery of the Pacific Pines Tavern and three years jail for each of the seven hostages he detained at gunpoint in the long, frightening minutes before Sen-Const Leeding was shot at 10.40pm.

There was no repeat of Abell’s antics as the verdict was delivered, when he infamously refused to stand and flipped the bird at Supreme Court Justice James Douglas.

His only supporter in court, his partner, sat emotionless behind him in the public gallery. Abell will be 59 before he is eligible for release.

Justice Douglas denounced his lack of remorse and the “deliberate” killing of a police officer in the execution of his duty.

He said that by arming himself with a loaded shotgun during the holdup, Abell would have “at least anticipated the possibility of police intervening”.

“It seems significant to me the crime was a deliberate shooting of a police officer who was acting in his sworn duty to protect the public,” he said.

Ms Waters and Sen-Const Leeding’s sisters Hayley and Chantelle read out victim impact statements from the witness stand through tears.

The women spoke about the toll their son and brother’s murder had on their family, of their individual battles with post-traumatic stress disorder, their struggle to come to terms with his loss and frustration at broken relationships.

Ms Waters told of the daily struggle to sit through her son’s murder trial and being “overwhelmed” at seeing her son’s killers.

“Words cannot express our grief and how much we miss Damian,” she said.

Tavern staff members Kelly McLaren and Emma Stoddard shared their grief and sadness and told of the ongoing, debilitating impact on their emotional and physical well-being.

Ms Stoddard said she blamed herself for what happened to Sen-Const Leeding and struggled to find meaning or happiness in her life.

“I constantly remember Damian who lost everything,” she said.

Abell’s extensive criminal history of violent armed robberies was aired in court, including the holdup of a bank for which he served eight years in 1997. In 1990, he was sentenced to four-years jail for being the getaway driver when a convenience store was held up with a loaded pistol.

He was dealt with for violence towards Queensland Corrective Services officers while in custody in 1993.

Abell is yet to be sentenced for a violent home invasion on December 30, 2010, using the same sawn-off shotgun that killed Sen-Const Leeding.

He and accomplice Donna Lee McAvoy, 39, were convicted of the Coomera detective’s murder last month.

Outside court, Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said he had phoned Sen-Const Leeding’s wife Sonya, who was absent from court as her children were unwell, to tell her of the sentence.

 

Jury retires to consider murder charges against two people accused of killing policeman Damian Leeding

  • Brooke Baskin
  • The Courier-Mail
  • September 23, 2013 5:24PM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/jury-retires-to-consider-murder-charges-against-two-people-accused-of-killing-policeman-damian-leeding/story-fnihsrk2-1226725185117

Phillip Graeme Abell, 41, and Donna Lee McAvoy, 39, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Coomera detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, 35, as he tried to foil their escape from a hold-up at 10.40pm on May 29, 2011.

At the opening of the 11-day trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court, both pleaded guilty to armed robbery with personal violence and to seven counts of deprivation of liberty.

Justice James Douglas on Monday summed up the evidence to the jury before it retired to consider a verdict at 12.35pm.

It returned to a packed court room at 3.50pm to deliver a unanimous decision.

Crown Prosecutor Todd Fuller QC told the Supreme Court in Brisbane Sen-Constable Leeding was shot in the head at close range just minutes after he arrived at the scene.

He suffered “catastrophic” brain injuries that led to his life support being switched off on June 1. He had fired three shots from his gun before it jammed.

Mr Fuller said an “organised criminal enterprise” almost escaped with a haul of $16,000 in coins and $20 notes after the hold-up.

The pair disguised themselves, wore padding and dressed in dark clothing as they robbed the tavern, taking seven staff members and patrons hostage by holding the gun to their heads and tying their arms behind their backs with zip-ties.

One woman managed to sneak out and call 000 from her car before driving away. Another witness called 000 when he saw the drama unfolding as he stopped by for a drink.

Sen-Constable Leeding and his partner, detective Sen-Constable Nicole Jackson, were the first police on scene and drew their guns.

Sen-Constable Leeding jumped over a fence at the tavern and yelled “stop police, police” when his partner heard two shots ring out and dived for cover.

Sen-Constable Leeding had more than 50 injuries to his face caused by pellets from the shot fired at him. The injuries included skull fractures, compound facial fractures, lacerations to his frontal lobes and a complete loss of eyesight.

McAvoy and Abell were caught in nearby bushland that night.

Earlier, the public gallery in court 11 was packed as the jury filed out to consider the evidence heard during the trial.

Justice James Douglas on Monday summed up the evidence to the jury before it retired to consider a verdict at 12.35pm.

He told the jury it should dismiss all feelings of sympathy or prejudice and warned it against allowing public opinion to affect its decision.

Justice Douglas  said it was open to the jury to find both Abell and McAvoy guilty of murder with intent, if they were satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Sen-Constable Leeding was dead, the defendant Abell killed him and did so with intent to cause death or grievous bodily harm and that the killing was unlawful.

He said the jury could also find Abell and McAvoy guilty of murder if they found the unlawful killing was carried out in the prosecution of an unlawful purpose, as in this particular case, an armed robbery, and was a probable consequence of the act.

Justice Douglas said it was the burden of the prosecution to disprove the police officer’s use of force was unlawful on the night.

Under the law, if a person was assaulted and there was a reasonable apprehension of death or grievous bodily harm, and the person cannot otherwise preserve themselves, it would be lawful for the person to use any such force as was necessary to defend themselves.

He said if the jury found Abell acted in self-defence, it must find him not guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Justice Douglas summarised the evidence heard during the trial and the closing arguments of the Crown and defence counsels.

He told the jury it must reach a unanimous verdict.

 

 

 

Phillip Graeme Abell and Donna Lee McAvoy show no remorse after being found guilty of murder Gold Coast policeman Damian Leeding

  • Brooke Baskin
  • The Courier-Mail
  • September 25, 2013 12:00AM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/phillip-graeme-abell-and-donna-lee-mcavoy-show-no-remorse-after-being-found-guilty-of-murder-gold-coast-policeman-damian-leeding/story-fnihsrf2-1226725531549

POLICE MURDERERS: Donna Lee McAVOY & Phillip Graeme ABELLS

PHILLIP Graeme Abell’s icy-blue stare is fixed defiantly on the man behind the camera.

Just moments earlier, those same eyes stared down the sites of a shortened Bentley pump-action shotgun and fired at a police officer.

Blood trickles down his left arm where a police dog latched onto him in bushland near the Pacific Pines Tavern.

He didn’t make a sound as the dog bit into the flesh of his armpit and crouched silently in the lantana until a police torch picked him out in the darkness.

“You’ve got the wrong guy,” he told them.

“I’ve had a couple of drinks and come into the bush.”

Abell was marched from the scrub by two police officers who tracked him in the dark for 350m and five long minutes.

Their radios were switched down low as the dog tracked his scent, a heady mix of adrenaline, sweat and alcohol.

Back on the road, Abell’s hands were wrapped in paper to preserve evidence and cuffed behind his back.

The weapon he brandished during the stick-up was dumped into the bush near where he ran off the road.

A few more metres on he dropped a bum-bag full of shotgun cartridges, tore off a brown jacket, a black life vest, gloves and tracksuit pants.

The image of gunman Abell, 41, was yesterday released by the Supreme Court in Brisbane after he and Donna Lee McAvoy, 39, were found guilty of the shooting murder of Coomera detective Sen-Constable Damian Leeding outside the tavern that night.

McAvoy, overweight and wrapped in layers of clothing, trailed Abell as they ran from the tavern moments after the shooting.

The spoils of their 16-minute siege on a quiet Sunday night – $16,000 in coins and notes weighing more than 70kg – was abandoned in the car park.

McAvoy was wrestled onto Pitcairn Rd by two police officers and Abell took his chance to flee.

They said she looked exhausted and complained of struggling for breath with her breasts bandaged down and her torso strapped in a child’s-size life jacket.

CCTV images from the robbery showed Abell pointing the gun at frightened patrons and staff as they cowered on the ground and behind the bar McAvoy zip-tied the hostage’s hands behind their backs and filled a black sports bag with cash from a safe. Abell threatened he would “shoot to get out’’ if the police turned up.

As the bandits fled with cash and stolen car keys, Sen-Constable Leeding foiled any chance they had at a clean exit by jumping a 1.2m high fence, running through a children’s playground and firing three rounds before his Glock pistol jammed.

Abell returned fire with a single blast from the shortened shotgun, striking the detective in the head and face.

The trial exhibits released by Justice James Douglas yesterday included the frantic radio call by detective Sen-Constable Nicole Jackson to police communications.

“Charlie 500 urgent,’’ she said. The communications operator calls her back but gets no response. She tries two more times before warning other police the job was now a “code 1’. “Shots fired, shots fired. Urgent. Officer down’’ she said.

The exhibits also included 000 calls to police from frightened pub patrons who saw the holdup unfolding but managed to escape.

Another has the chilling conversation between McAvoy and an undercover officer in the cells of Southport’s police watch house.

“I’m looking at a long time,’’ McAvoy told her undercover cellmate, as if it were a badge of honour. “Pac Pines. Armed robbery.’’

A dazed sounding McAvoy told her cellmate her accomplice opened fire at Sen-Constable Leeding, claiming he was “cornered’’.

“You don’t know what you’re going to do in a situation like that,’’ McAvoy said. “He’s f . . . shot his way out.’’

McAvoy continued: “F… oath mate. Just as we were walking out the f . . . door, didn’t know there were f . . . coppers there and they’re supposed to f . . . announce themselves.’’

Another man told police how he was followed by what police believe was a car without its headlights on. Detectives believe it was getaway driver, Benjamin Ernest Power, 39, and McAvoy’s partner of three years.

“I just walked into the pub at Pac Pines and it’s being held up.

“There’s guys with guns, everything,’’ he said.

“There’s a car following me with its lights turned off…’’

 

Earlier, Phillip Graeme Abell refused to stand for a judge and flipped him the bird as a jury yesterday found he and Donna Lee McAvoy guilty of the murder of Gold Coast policeman Damian Leeding.

Detective Senior Constable Leeding, 35, left behind his wife Sonya and two young children, Grace and Hudson, when he was shot in the face at close range as he responded to a Gold Coast tavern robbery in May 2011.

Outside court yesterday, his father-in-law Garry O’Brien could finally utter the words he had been waiting to say: “We’ve got the bastards”.

It was a reference to a comment from his son-in-law, who before his death told Mr O’Brien “we’re going to get the bastards” as they watched news footage together of escalating armed robberies on the Gold Coast.

“I think I can strongly say on behalf of the family, we can finally say to Damo, Rest In Peace,” Mr O’Brien said.

Sen-Constable Leeding’s mother Julie Waters said her son would be remembered by those who loved him as “a true hero”.

“Damian was doing his job and his life was taken without regard for him or his family,” she said.

Donna Lee McAvoy, 39, and Phillip Graeme Abell, 41, in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

It took a jury in the Supreme Court of Brisbane less than three hours to return its verdict, finding Abell and McAvoy guilty of the detective’s shooting murder.

The decision came after a two-week trial and was met with cheers, applause and tears from the packed public gallery in court 11.

A grim-faced and heavily tattooed Abell, 41, and co-offender McAvoy, 39, who sobbed with her face buried in her hands, will be sentenced by Justice James Douglas on Friday with getaway driver Benjamin Ernest Power, 39.

Power pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this month.

Power, McAvoy’s lover, did not face trial when his plea of guilty to manslaughter was accepted by the Crown earlier this month.

McAvoy and Abell disguised themselves with padding and wore T-shirts over their heads when they raided the Pacific Pines Tavern, tying up terrified hostages and holding a gun to their heads.

They stole $16,048 in coins and notes as Power waited outside the tavern as a lookout, using a two-way radio to alert those inside to the arrival of police.

Sen-Constable Leeding and partner, detective Sen-Constable Nicole Jackson, were the first on the scene and ran to foil their escape.

Grainy CCTV footage showed Abell and McAvoy lugging 70kg worth of stolen coins out a sliding door and down a ramp seconds before the shotgun was fired.

Out of view, the weapon’s muzzle flash lit up the night and felled the detective where he stood.

Sen-Constable Leeding suffered more than 50 injuries to his head and face when the shotgun pellets struck him. He managed to fire three times but missed when his Glock pistol jammed on the fourth. He suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in the Gold Coast Hospital when his life support was switched off on June 1.

McAvoy and Abell abandoned their sports bag laden with cash and fled into bushland, where they were caught soon after.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said Sen-Constable Leeding had bravely made a “supreme sacrifice”.

“It’s a reality check as to what police officers do every day in the community,” he said.

“They go to work to protect the public, as the brave Damian Leeding did on that particular night…’’

Police Union president Ian Leavers said the murder was “outright and callous’’ and denounced Abell’s conduct in court for its “complete contempt’’.

“As the jury found out, we have a person who callously murdered a young man in the prime of his life and nothing has changed since the 29th of May, 2011,’’ he said.

He said the verdict was right but it would never bring Sen-Constable Leeding back or let him see his children grow up.

 

 

Dog Squad officer Wayne Algie tells of the terrifying night that earned him a nomination for the Valour Award

( handler of Police Dog Bosun )

  • Robyn Wuth
  • Gold Coast Bulletin
  • April 11, 2014 12:01AM

THE Dog Squad officer who risked his life to hunt down the gunman who killed Gold Coast Detective Damian Leeding has been nominated for the highest bravery award available in the Queensland Police Service.

Speaking exclusively to the Bulletin, Wayne Algie recalled the night that earned him the nomination for the Valour Award — given to an officer who performs an act of exceptional bravery in hazardous circumstances.

Detective Senior Constable Leeding was shot in the head and died days later in hospital.

His murder led to an outpouring of support from the Gold Coast community, who turned out in the thousands for his funeral.

 

 

Hero police dog Bosun, who caught Damian Leeding’s killers, sadly dies

  • Andrew Potts
  • Gold Coast Bulletin
  • June 23, 2014 6:45PM

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/pets-and-wildlife/hero-police-dog-bosun-who-caught-damian-leedings-killers-sadly-dies/story-fnk74alk-1226964130234

 

FAMED police dog Bosun has died just one year after retiring.

The beloved German Shepherd, who caught the killers of Senior Constable Damian Leeding in 2011, passed away this morning after a short illness.

Bosun tracked the gunman, Phillip Graeme Abell, into “pitch-black’’ bushland after tracking him 350m into scrub on the fateful night.

Bosun’s handler Senior-Constable Wayne Algie said the leash went slack and he drew his firearm and a torch to see the dog had bitten a man and was holding him by the left armpit.

The nine-year-old dog died just months after receiving the Australian Defence Force Service Medal for his long career.

The medal ceremony was his last public outing before retiring to the home of his handler, Sen-Const Algie.

 

 

 

 



Norman James WATT

| 17/10/2014

Norman James WATT

( grew up in Chinchilla )

Queensland Police Force

Joined Qld Police Force via Qld Police Cadet System 1986 – 1987

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  Dog Squad – death

Service:  From  ? ? 1986  to  21 July 2000 = ? years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? ? ?

Died on:  21 July 2000

Cause:  Shot – murdered – Alton Downs, Qld

Age:  33

Funeral date:  25 July 2000

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Nerimbera Memorial Cemetery, Rockhampton, Qld

Memorial location:

 

Norman James WATT - SenCon - Shot at siege - Qld - 21 July 2000
Norman James WATT – SenCon – Shot at siege – Qld – 21 July 2000.  Pictured with his dog – Zeus

[alert_green]NORM IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

 

At 9.22pm on Thursday 20 July 2000 Information was received at the Rockhampton communications room regarding a serious domestic dispute that was taking place on a property at Alton Downs 15kms north-west of Rockhampton.

An ex-serviceman named Royce William Cooper (58yrs) had fired three (3) shots at a friend during an argument at the property.

Senior Constable Norm Watt the dog squad officer on duty was one of a number of police directed to attend the scene. Officers arrived at the property and immediately placed a cordon around the residence.

In the darkness Cooper had exited his house and camouflaged himself amongst bushes in the yard.

At a little after midnight Senior Constable Watt and another officer went to view the house from another vantage point. As Senior Constable Watt moved toward the house a shot was heard and Senior Constable Watt fell to the ground. Fellow officers were unable to safely approach their fallen colleague to render assistance as they were unaware of Cooper’s exact location.

An armoured vehicle from the Rockhampton correctional Centre was summoned and recovered the body of Senior Constable Watt.

The officer was officially pronounced dead at 3.47am.

A post mortem examination revealed that the bullet had severed Senior Constable Watt’s femoral artery causing death within minutes of being hit.

After a seven hour siege Cooper surrendered to police. He was later charged and convicted of murder in the Rockhampton Supreme Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Senior Constable Norman James Watt is buried in the Nerimbera Memorial Cemetery Rockhampton.

 

Cemetery location:  Grave location is:  Sect. ROG  Row. 8  Grave 12

 

 

Police remember slain dog squad officer

Megan Lewis

Updated Wed 21 Jul 2010, 3:15pm AEST

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-07-21/police-remember-slain-dog-squad-officer/914086

A memorial service has been held at Rockhampton in central Queensland to honour a police officer killed in the line of duty.

Today marks 10 years since the shooting death of Senior Constable Norman James Watt.

The 33-year-old dog squad officer was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on a property at Alton Downs, west of Rockhampton.

Queensland Police Service commissioner Bob Atkinson says Senior Constable Watt paid the ultimate sacrifice and died serving the community he had sworn to protect.

“Norm was many things – a husband, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a colleague, a fine police officer, and with his dog Zeus they were a fine team,” he said.

Mr Atkinson says the bond between dog squad officers and their animals is incredible, and dogs live with their handlers full-time.

“In most cases those officers work alone and most of the time they work through the night alone with their dog, and the bond they form is very close,” he said.

Zeus was retired immediately after the shooting and was cared for by Senior Constable Watt’s wife, until he died of kidney failure 18-months later.

Officer’s family joins march

Widow Anna Watt and her niece took part in this morning’s march from Rockhampton City Hall to the memorial garden at the Rockhampton Police Station.

She was flanked by two dog squad officers with pups-in-training, followed by a large number of Rockhampton police officers.

The Queensland Police Pipes and Drums led the procession.

During the ceremony, family, friends and former colleagues of Senior Constable Watt laid floral tributes under a plaque commemorating his death.

Senior Constable Watt’s brother, Greg Watt said it was an honour to witness the respect shown by colleagues and the community.

Commissioner Bob Atkinson says Senior Constable Watt was one of three Queensland police officers killed in the line of duty in the past ten years.

Police march for slain police officer Norm Watt, Rockhampton, July 21st 2010 - 10th anniversary
Police march for slain police officer Norm Watt, Rockhampton, July 21st 2010 – 10th anniversary

The Queensland Police Pipes and Drums led the march to remember Norm Watt.
The Queensland Police Pipes and Drums led the march to remember Norm Watt.

Floral tribute
Floral tribute

Touch Stone, National Police Memorial, ACT.
Touch Stone, National Police Memorial, ACT.

 

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/annualReport/2001/documents/11_honoursAwards.pdf

Policing in Queensland has long been a respected and valued profession but it is also an inherently dangerous one. This fact was tragically highlighted with the deaths of
two serving officers this year. The untimely deaths of Senior Constable Norm Watt and Senior Constable Dave Shean brings to one hundred the number of serving Queensland police officers who have died in the performance of duty. A tribute has been included in this Annual Report as a mark of respect to these two officers and to acknowledge the terrible loss felt at their passing by the Service, their families and friends and by their police colleagues who supported them throughout their careers.
Senior Constable Norman James Watt
The newly built Dog Squad facility in Brisbane has been named the Norm Watt Complex as a tribute to Senior Constable Norman James Watt.
Senior Constable Norm Watt was shot and killed while attending a domestic violence incident near Rockhampton on 21 July 2000.
Senior Constable Watt’s operational career began in 1987 with a posting to Rockhampton. During his career, he proved himself to be an able and reliable officer serving in a variety of positions within the area including small stations, the CIB and the Rockhampton Traffic Branch. Senior Constable Watt was also commended by the then Central Region Assistant Commissioner for his work as an undercover operative during Operation Breaker in 1990.
He was commended on a number of other occasions for good police work and was the recipient of many letters of appreciation from politicians, fellow police officers and
members of the public. As the Adopt-a-Cop at Parkhurst State School, Senior Constable Watt earned the respect of the school community and his efforts were recognised by the then Police Minister, the Honourable Terry MacKenroth MP.
Norm was promoted to Senior Constable, Rockhampton Dog Squad, on 21 February 1994. Together with police dog Zeus, he attended a wide variety of operational matters including the incident that tragically ended his career. The dedicated service which Senior Constable Watt provided to the people of Queensland is well summed up in the words of the then Police Commissioner, Jim O’Sullivan, who, when dedicating the Norm Watt Complex, described Norm as “an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in his role to serve and protect the community … and whose sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Senior Constable Watt will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues and by the community he so ably served.
 [divider_dotted]

15 years may have passed, but Norm is still alive in our hearts

Sergeant Jody Fernie on Jul 21, 2015 @ 11:33am
Senior Constable Norm Watt

Senior Constable Norm Watt with PD Zeus

Police across the State will take a moment today to remember Senior Constable Norman James Watt who died whilst on duty in Rockhampton fifteen years ago.

At 9.22pm on Thursday July 20 2000, officers were called to a hobby farm at Alton Downs, west of Rockhampton, after reports that a serious domestic dispute was taking place during which a man had fired three shots at a friend.

Senior Constable Norm Watt, a member of the Rockhampton Dog Squad, was also called to the scene with his dog, PD Zeus.

Officers arrived and began to put a cordon around the residence. It was just after midnight when a shot was heard and Senior Constable Watt was seen to fall to the ground.

Senior Constable Watt was pronounced dead on Friday July 21 at 3.47am. After a seven hour siege the offender surrendered to police and was later charged with murder and found guilty.

Senior Constable Watt was buried in the Nerimbera Memorial Cemetery Rockhampton and is remembered as a dear friend, a dedicated officer and a ‘stand up’ guy.

Fifteen years may have passed but to those who knew Norm, he is still alive in our hearts.

After Norm’s passing, Police Dog Zeus lived a happy retirement with Norm’s partner and passed away from old age a few years ago.

[divider_dotted]

 



Thomas LONIGAN

| 17/10/2014

Thomas LONIGAN

Victoria Police

Mounted Constable

Regd. # 2423

Shot – Murdered

34 old

Died  26 October 1878

Constable Lonigan
Constable Lonigan

 

Thomas LONIGAN - VicPol - Murdered - Oct1878 - Grave 1
Thomas LONIGAN – VicPol – Murdered – Oct1878 – Grave 1

Kelly victims will not be forgotten, say descendents

Date
Lawrence Money

Journalist

Mounted constable Thomas Lonigan was just 34 when he died in October 1878 and, on Thursday at Mansfield cemetery, there was no doubting the cause – he was “murdered by armed criminals”. It says so on his tombstone and at a service to mark the restoration of the graves of Lonigan, Sergeant Michael Kennedy and Constable Michael Scanlan, the sentiment was clear. This was no place for fans of Ned Kelly.”A murderer and a bully,” said Leo Kennedy, great grandson of Sergeant Kennedy. “The effect of his murders still linger because of those who use his murders as an icon.”

Deborah Tunstall, great-great-granddaughter of Lonigan, said the service – attended by more than 100 police, descendants and locals – finally “brought justice” for the three men killed at Stringybark Creek so many years ago.

Kelly was executed in 1880 after being found guilty of murdering Constable Lonigan.

The three graves – in different locations due to the religious considerations of the time – were badly damaged along with other graves by vandals in the 1960s.

Police Minister Kim Wells told the service that the state government had allocated funds to restore the graves of Victorian police officer throughout the state.

The Mansfield service was a stirring sight, under a cloudy sky with the police pipe band, uniformed members of the Shrine guard and many locals in period costume. Police Commissioner Ken Lay said that, to some, the three policemen had become pawns in history, remembered as “mere footnotes to the lives and excesses of those murderous people”.

“Today, let’s do them the honour of stripping away some of the clutter. The simple truth is that they were asked to do something difficult, something very dangerous, simply because it was their job to do it.”

Commissioner Lay said Constable Scanlan had known there was a good chance he would not return. “Before he left Mooroopna on his horse he told a mate he could have his dog should he die while chasing the Kelly gang. As we all know, he did. These three men hold a sacred place in Victoria police history, as do 154 other Victorian member killed in the line of of duty.”

26Oct 1878

Lonigan, Thomas

Constable (2423)

On the 25th October, 1878 Sergeant Michael Kennedy and Constables Lonigan, Michael Scanlan and Thomas McIntyre rode into the Wombat Ranges searching for Ned and Dan Kelly, who were wanted for the attempted murder of Constable Alex Fitzpatrick at Eleven Mile Creek, near Benalla, on 15th April, 1878.
That evening the policemen established a camp near Stringbark Creek, and the following day Kennedy and Scanlan set off to patrol the area whilst McIntyre and Lonigan remained behind. Towards evening the camp site was attacked by the Kelly’s, together with their associates Steve Hart and Joe Byrne. Constable Lonigan was shot dead whilst Constable McIntyre was captured and held hostage. The outlaws then hid themselves around the camp, and left McIntyre on view as a decoy. When Kennedy and Scanlan returned Ned Kelly called on them to “bail up”, then almost immediately the outlaws began firing and the policemen were cut down. In the confusion McIntyre was able to escape and raise the alarm.

Over the next two years the Kelly gang, as they became known, remained at large, only coming out of hiding to make two much publicised raids, one on the township of Euroa, and the other at Jerilderie. Finally, in June, 1880 they received information that an associate, Aaron Sherritt, had betrayed them, and a large contingent of police were travelling to Euroa by train to arrest them. The gang moved swiftly. They murdered Sherritt, took over the township of Glenrowan and imprisoned the residents, and wrecked the railway line in the near vicinity. They then settled down to wait, planning to set upon the police party after their train ran off the rails at the point of sabotage. A local resident managed to allow the gang to release him, and he warned the approaching police and averted a disaster. Soon after the gang were cornered in a local hotel. A siege developed and Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne were killed. Ned Kelly managed to escape, and returned later in his famous “suit of armour”, and attempted to shoot it out with police. Soon overpowered, he faced trial at Melbourne for killing Lonigan, and was hanged at 10.00 a.m. on 11th November, 1880.

http://www.remember.org.au/Honour-Roll/1870s



James CLARE

| 17/10/2014

James CLARE

Victoria Police Force

Constable

Born:  1 November 1900 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England

Murdered – stabbed

North Melbourne

24 December 1925

Buried:  28 December 1925 – Fawkner Cemetery, North Melbourne

Monument erected 29 August 1926

 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=89770712

Inscription:
A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY
– OF –
CONSTABLE JAMES CLARE
WHO LOST HIS LIFE
IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY
AT NORTH MELBOURNE
ON 24TH DECEMBER 1925
AGED 25 YEARS.
LOVED SON OF Mr & Mrs JAMES CLARE
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
ERECTED BY THE VICTORIAN POLICE FORCE
UNION JACK CLUB AND CITIZENS OF
NORTH MELBOURNE.

“Duty nobly done”.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=89770712&PIpi=76835748

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=89770712&PIpi=76835731

 

Birth: Nov. 1, 1900
Liverpool
Merseyside, England
Death: Dec. 24, 1925
Melbourne
Victoria, Australia

Just before 9 p.m., Thursday, December 24, 1925, Constable James Clare who was off duty at the time was walking along Victoria Street in North Melbourne. He was with Constable Henry Schenke and William Whitehead who had been detailed for a special plain clothes patrol of the area. As the three men approached Chetwynd Street, Clare became involved in an altercation with some young Italian men walking in the opposite direction. In the resulting fracas Clare was fatally stabbed by Domenico Condello who then ran from the scene with Schenke and Whitehead in pursuit. Condello was finally apprehended in Roslyn Street in North Melbourne after two warning shots were fired by the policemen. At a later interview he denied stabbing Clare and claimed that the policeman had attacked him after which he had fought in self defence. Later he was tried for murder and he and his friends repeated their allegation that Constable Clare had been the aggressor in the incident. Condello still denied the stabbing but volunteered the theory that during the fight the policeman may have impaled himself on a knife Condello had previously been using to clean his pipe. After deliberating for a little over an hour the jury returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.”—–

James Clare
This is a picture of the knife that killed Constable James Clare from the Victoria Police Museum’s collection.

Constable James Clare died by the knife displayed above on Christmas Eve, 1925. Whether he impaled himself, or was fatally stabbed, is open to conjecture.
What is known, is that about 8:30pm in North Melbourne, the off-duty Constable Clare was walking down Victoria Street with three friends, including two police on a special plain-clothes patrol, when approached by a dozen young and rowdy Italian men.
The police claim 25-year-old Constable Clare was walking ahead of them, when, as he passed the group, one of them bumped him. They exchanged words before 33-year-old Dominic Condello punched him on the chin.
In the ensuing struggle, Mr. Condello allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and fatally jabbed at Constable Clare, who cried out: “He’s stabbed me.”
He then fled through the crowd, hotly pursued by the two police who caught him only after drawing their revolvers and firing two shots.
Not so, according to the group of men, who claimed Constable Clare had used indecent language when he brushed past and then attacked them. They said Mr. Condello stepped in as peacemaker, raising the ire of Constable Clare who attacked him.
All the while the other two police stood with weapons drawn, threatening to shoot Mr. Condello, prompting him and his companions to flee. Defence later claimed they did not realise Constable Clare’s friends were plain-clothes police.
In court, Mr. Condello admitted holding the knife, but said he normally only used it to clean his pipe, and was unaware Constable Clare had been stabbed, until police questioned him after his arrest.
Evidence was produced suggesting the policeman fell on the knife, though it was a pathologist’s opinion that the fatal wounds – a punctured heart and a pierced aorta, could not have been caused by such a scenario.
After a two-day trail in February 1928, Mr. Condello was acquitted of murder, on grounds of reasonable self-defence. His knife/pipe cleaner, is in the Victoria Police Museum’s collection.

– Police Life, December 2006
Burial:
Fawkner Memorial Park
Fawkner
Victoria, Australia
Plot: Fawkner Memorial Park wishes to advise that the location of the buried remains of the late James Clare aged 25 are located at Church Of England: Compartment M Grave 1627.
Created by: graver
Record added: May 08, 2012
Find A Grave Memorial# 89770712http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89770712MEMORIAL TO CONSTABLE.

UNVEILED BY DR. ARGYLE.

Spirit of Police Force.

In memory of Constable James Clare, who was killed at North Melbourne on Christmas Eve monument has been erected in the Fawkner Cemetery, and yesterday the unveiling ceremony was performed   by the Chief Secretary ( Dr. Argyle ).

Constable Clare, when off duty, and in plain clothes, had remonstrated with a group of men for jostling passersby in Victoria Street, North Melbourne, when he was fatally stabbed. The ceremony yesterday was witnessed by some hundreds ofpeople. The monument, which takes the form of a broken column, was draped with the Union Jack.

The chief commissioner of police ( Brigadier-General Blarney ) said that he desired to pay his tribute to the fine devotion to duty possessed by Constable Clare, a devotion which led him to take upon himself a task which he need not have performed.  While there existed the spirit which had prompted Constable Clare to perform the action in which he had laid down his life     there was nothing wrong with the police force of Victoria and citizens might rest assured that the peace would be well cared for. The monument was a mark of the esteem in which Constable Clare was held by his comrades. Members of the Union Jack Club, of which Constable Clare was a member, and citizens at North Melbourne, had joined with members of the police force in erecting a memorial in memory of a worthy and noble deed. The spirit which had led Constable Clare to give his life was frequently and freely manifested by members of the force.

Dr. Argyle said that as Minister responsible for the administration of Police department, he was very greatly honoured in being permitted to perform the ceremony.  He would direct the attention of the people of Victoria to the fact that a Policeman, whether in uniform or in plain clothes, was always on duty. Constable Clare realised this, and when an occasion arose for him to interfere, although not on duty, he unhesitatingly did so. Dr. Argyle continued that he would like people to realise, perhaps better than they did, how much they owed to the strict attention     to duty of members of the Victorian   Police Force. It was sad to think that a young ? full of promise should so suddenly be cut down. On behalf of the Government of Victoria he extened to the friends and relatives of Constable Clare his heartfelt sympathy. It was a matter for gratification to find that his comrades had thought fit to perpetuate his memory by the establishment of the memorial.

The Rev. C. M. Long dedicated the Police Band played several hymns.

 

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3805868?searchTerm=argyle%20police&searchLimits=#pstart450354  The Argus ( Melbourne )  Monday 30 August 1926  page 9 of 20

 

 

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Ray Clifford SCHUBERG

| 17/10/2014

Ray Clifford SCHUBERG

New South Wales Police Force

Class 195 from Redfern Academy

[alert_yellow]Regd. # 20999[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  Probationary Constable – appointed 3 June 1983

Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 June 1988

Senior Constable – death

Stations:  Mona Vale ( 1983 ), Warilla, Albion Park

Service:   From  ? ? pre June 1983?  to  24 November 1997 = 13+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  20 May 1960

Event date:  23 November 1997 – early a.m.

Event location:  Crown St, Wollongong, NSW

Died on:  24 November 1997

Death location:  Wollongong Hospital

Cause:  Assault – Murder downgraded

Age:  37

Funeral date: 28 November 1997

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Wollongong Lawn Cemetery, Wylie Rd, Kembla Grange

Grave location:  Lawn 1, Row L, Plot 4

Memorial Location:  NSW Police Memorial Wall – Police Centre, Sydney – details were added to Wall at the 2nd dedication ceremony on Sunday 25 September 2016

Ray Clifford SCHUBERG

Ray SCHUBERG
Ray SCHUBERG

In loving memory Ray Clifford Schuberg 20 May 1960 - 24 November 1997 Beloved husband, devoted father, darling son, dear brother at peace with god A kind nature, a gentle soul you can never be replaced

 

[alert_blue]RAY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED

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Senior Constable Ray Schuberg died about 5.30pm on the 24 November 1997 when life support was turned off at Wollongong Hospital after being bashed by Christopher O’Rourke who is a football coach for Figtree, during the early hours of Sunday morning, 23 November, 1997, in Crown St, Wollongong.

Ray was Off Duty at the time of the event and struck his head on the footpath after being punched by O’Rourke.

 

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Mate to take on mate to boost charity

Author: GREG ELLIS
Date: 22/08/2014
Words: 249
Source: ILL		 Publication: Illawarra Mercury
Section: News
Page: 11
 IT will be mate against mate on Sunday when the Wollongong branch of the NSW Police Association holds its second annual charity rugby league match in North Wollongong.The match, for the Chief Inspector Graham Donnelly Memorial Cup, pits the Wollongong Police Station Falcons against the Lake Illawarra Police Station Lions to help raise funds for NSW Police Legacy and local PCYCs.

Several trophies will be presented on the day along with the Chief Inspector Graham Donnelly Memorial Cup.

They are for the Sergeant Nick Skomarow Player of Match, Senior Constable Ray Shuberg Memorial Touch Game and the Sergeant Colin Stevenson Memorial Tug of War.

All trophies are named after police officers who had died in the last decade.

Part of the proceeds of the day go to help the families, widows and children, of these officers.

Recent wet weather meant the game has been moved to the soccer ground near the PCYC in North Wollongong. The gates will now open at 2pm on Sunday with the main game starting at 3pm.

Sergeant Robert Minns said it was also a family day with activities for children and a display of new and vintage police vehicles.

“Last year we raised $6000 with the goal of $10,000 this year.

“It is a gold coin donation to come and watch,” Sgt Minns said.

He said PCYC did great work in the community and the NSW Policy Legacy helped hundreds of people each year.

He said it helped a lot more people than many realised.

http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=8941D23CE0EC49501FA557FDCA63D203?sy=afr&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=brs&cls=765&clsPage=1&docID=ILL1408227P4T5EE2RF2

 

 

 

 

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Officers honoured in sport

WOLLONGONG and Lake Illawarra police officers battled it out during a sports day to honour fallen comrades and raise funds.

The Graeme Donnelly Memorial Cup Fund-raiser for Police Legacy (Police Bushfire Appeal) and PCYC on October 22 drew more than 800 spectators and raised almost $6000.

The event was a fitting memorial day for Kiama’s Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly, Sergeant Nick Skomarow and Senior Constable Ray Schuberg.

It involved a fierce tug-of-war won by the heavyweight Wollongong team, which had three members weighing more than 120 kilograms each. The Wollongong team also won the Senior Constable Ray Schuberg Memorial touch football game.

Senior Constable Schuberg died in 1997, and a memorial trophy was made in his honour for touch football between the emergency services, but hasn’t been played since 2002.

The main game of rugby league featured Wollongong recruiting guest player, former Australian representative Paul McGregor, while the Lake Illawarra team turned to former Australian halfback John Simon.

Both teams had a few other ring-ins and the game was played hard, like police football used to be played.

The Wollongong Falcons did well to hold out a strong Lake team and win the game by only two points. The Sergeant Nick Skomarow Man of the Match award went to Fletcher Wyver.

Inspector Donnelly and Sergeant Skomarow‘s families attended and presented the awards.

http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/story/1945843/officers-honoured-in-sport/

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Coppers pull strings for footy trophy

Date: 04/12/2013
Words: 251
Source: …		 Publication: Wollongong Advertiser
Section: Sport
Page: 39
Wollongong and Lake Illawarra police officers battled it out during a recent sports day to honour fallen comrades and raise funds for worthy organisations.The Graeme Donnelly Memorial Cup Fund-raiser for Police Legacy (Police Bushfire Appeal) and PCYC on October 22 drew more than 800 spectators and raised almost $6000.The day was a fitting memorial day for Kiama’s Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly (Wollongong Local Area Command), Sergeant Nick Skomarow (Wollongong LAC) and Senior Constable Ray Schuberg.The fun included a fierce tug-of-war competition won by the Wollongong team, which had three members weighing more than 120 kilograms each.

The Wollongong team also won the Senior Constable Ray Schuberg Memorial touch footy game.

Senior Constable Schuberg tragically died in 1997 and a memorial trophy was made in his honour for touch footy between the emergency services but it hasn’t been played for since 2002.

Organisers were “thrilled” to use the trophy again and remember “a good copper who loved his touch footy”.

In the main game of rugby league Wollongong recruited former Australian representative Paul McGregor, while the Lake Illawarra team turned to former Australian halfback John Simon.

Both teams had a few other “ring-ins” and the game was played hard and tough, like police footy used to be.

The Wollongong Falcons did well to hold out a strong Lake team and win the game by only two points.

The Sergeant Nick Skomarow Man of the Match award went to Fletcher Wyver.

The families of Inspector Donnelly and Sergeant Skomarow attended the event and were presented awards.

http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=BA849C39441032A3D57FB3C9A8C7DE2C?sy=afr&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=brs&cls=765&clsPage=1&docID=…1312047R2JE76OT59

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On 22 October the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Branches of PANSW conducted a sports day. The day was fitting memorial day for C/Insp Graeme Donnelly, Sergeant Nick Skomarow as well as the late S/Cst Ray Schuberg. The captains of the teams were Phil Bunker for Wollongong and Paul Winston for Lake Illawarra. Both members did a great job in putting the teams together and playing their part in organising the event.

There were close to 800 spectators on the day when the main game started with approximately $6000 dollars raised. Most of this money went to Police Legacy and moved into the Police Bush Fire Appeal. An amount was donated to the local PCYC club as well. There were some great local sponsors of the day including H.Parsons Funeral Directors, Collegians Rugby League Club, PANSW Panel Solicitor Chris Nikolovski Lawyers, Cleary Bros, West Wollongong Rotary and other local companies.

The day involved a Tug a War competition. The Wollongong team stacked with nine members who were all over the 100kg mark. The Wollongong team made the tonne and some more on top. The Lake team had no chance with an average weight of about 85kg except a couple of their team but they know who they are. Wollongong team defeated the Lake team in record time but when it was suggested it should be the best of five attempts both teams walked off exhausted. The Captain of the Wollongong Team Anthony Collier, when he received the trophy, acknowledged the good fight the Lake team put up but they had no chance against the big Wollongong Team.

The next part of the day was the S/Cst Ray Schuberg Memorial Touch Footy Game. Ray worked at Wollongong. He was a great street Police Officer and a good bloke who loved his touch footy. Ray tragically died in 1997 and a memorial trophy was made in his honour for touch footy between the emergency services but hasn’t been played since 2002. This was a great time to use the trophy again and remember a good copper that Ray was.
Again this was a hard fought game with a speedy Brain Rice and Pete Roncato the standouts for the winning Wollongong Team. Daryl Smith formed Lake and now PTC and Cate Johnston from the PCYC were the standouts for the Lake Team.

The game was won by Wollongong with all members again looking pretty exhausted. The captain of the winning team Darrell Buckman, who wasn’t working at Wollongong when Ray died but was informed of the tragic circumstances of his death, stated it was a great honour to play in the touch footy game and to honour and remember Ray.

The main game of rugby league was one tough game with some massive hits ups which got the emotions of both teams boiling over at times. It was played like rugby league of old, nothing fancy. The Wollongong Team’s guest player was former Australian centre Paul McGregor who has still got it. The Lake Illawarra Team had former Australian half back John Simmon who still has the ball skills. The coaches were Commissioned Officer Delegate Brian Wyver who was the patron on the day and Life Member of the Wollongong Falcons Police Rugby League Club. Wollongong also had Former Sgt Barry Doherty as manager and Joe Davidson as head masseur who is the father of two NSW Police Officers, Jackie and Matt. Lake coach was Det/Sgt Steve Worthington who was a tough second rower in first grade for the Illawarra Steelers in his youth.

Both teams had a few “ring ins” along the way, which made the game even more interesting. The score went back and forth over the three quarters of 20 minutes each with Paul and John weaving their magic for both teams. Due to the high intensity and the average age of both teams there were a lot of bench changes. In the end the Wollongong Falcons won by two points which showed how close the game was.

The Sgt Nick Skomarow Man of the Match award went to Fletcher Wyver. Captain Phil Bunker took possession of the Graeme Donnelly Memorial Cup and thanked all the players for their efforts and for the big turnout by the spectators.

The families of Graeme and Nick were in attendance with Graeme’s son Brad Dean playing a good strong game. Graeme’s wife Kerry was presented with Graeme’s Police Board and Nick’s wife Coralie was presented with a framed “Wall to Wall” board. It was great game and a great day for a great cause.

The second annual Graeme Donnelly Cup will be held on Sunday the 10th of August 2014 and will no doubt be bigger and better than last year.

Bob Minns
Branch Administrator

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wollongong-Police-Falcons/546318712135829?sk=info

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Colin Stanley WINCHESTER

| 17/10/2014

Colin Stanley WINCHESTER  APM

Regd. #  157

Rank:  Assistant Police Commissioner

Stations: ACT Police

Australian Federal Police ( AFP )

Service:  From 19 March 1962   to  10 January 1989 = 27+ years Service

Awards: National Medal – granted 14 July 1977

Australian Police Medal ( APM ) – granted 26 January 1987

1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 8 June 1988

Born: 18 October 1933

Died on:  10 January 1989

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Age: 55

Funeral date:

Funeral location:

Buried at:  ?

 

Colin Stanley WINCHESTER ACT / AFP Police Commissioner
Colin Stanley WINCHESTER
ACT / AFP Assistant Police Commissioner

Colin Stanley WINCHESTER ACT / AFP Police Commissioner
Colin Stanley WINCHESTER
ACT / AFP Assistant Police Commissioner

 

Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.

 

[alert_green]COLIN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

Australian Federal Assistant Commissioner shot dead.
Colin Stanley Winchester APM, (18 October 1933 – 10 January 1989) was an Assistant Commissioner in the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

He was a baker’s son who’d worked in the mines at Captain’s Flat and a good-humoured larrikin.

Friends and work colleagues described him as being of great strength, courage, integrity and love, who was tough, hard-working, honest and compassionate.

Colin Winchester had been a police officer for 27 years, first in the Australian Capital Territory Police Force and then in the AFP.

On 10 January 1989, the Canberra suburb was particularly quiet, drowsing in the still, warm, evening air, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Colin Winchester drove to his Deakin home.

At 9.15pm, as he stepped from his car Assistant Commissioner Winchester was dead, shot twice in the head at point blank range with a Ruger 10/22 .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle fitted with a silencer.

Colin Winchester’s death made headlines around the world and sparked one of the most complex criminal investigations in Australian history. It ran for more than five years.

There were many allegations of mafia involvement and that the Assistant Commissioner had been executed by the Mafia when it was revealed he’d been part of a controversial investigation targeting drug financiers and suppliers.

At a sting involved a marijuana plantation at Bungendore, a Mafia informant who told his bosses that Colin Winchester was corrupt. It was said that the police chief was shot because Mafia bosses Winchester was cleared when an independent auditor found that with no unexplained wealth to his name, it was unlikely that Colin Winchester had been on the take.

David Harold Eastman was convicted of Winchester’s murder on November 11, 1995, after a four year surveillance investigation.

Justice Ken Carruthers during his sentencing remarks said “the scientific aspect of the case resulted in

“one of the most skilled, sophisticated and determined forensic investigations in the history of Australia”.

Justice Carruthers sentenced Eastman to life imprisonment.

Winchester was Australia’s most senior police officer to have been killed.

http://alldownunder.com/aus/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=185

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COLIN Winchester, a former miner then 29, joined the ACT police force in 1962. Some of the ACT police were said to act like country cousins of Sydney police, and rather looked up to some of the more flashy, if dubious, detectives therein. It has been asserted that Winchester was corrupt, at least at any earlier period when he is said to have handled bribes relating to a Canberra illegal casino. However, an audit of his financial affairs after his murder revealed nothing untoward.

The ACT Police and Commonwealth Police were merged in 1979 to form the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Channel 10 reporter Christopher Masters says that factional infighting deriving from the original divisions remain, and have impeded the Winchester investigation.

http://www.canberracouriers.com.au/canberra-couriers-articles/1989/8/18/colin-winchester-and-the-calabrian-connection/

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