Shelley Leanne DAVIS

NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class ?

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  37034

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Goulburn

Service:   From  30 August 2002  to  19 June 2004 = 1+ years of Service

Awards:  Nil

Born: ? ? 1977

Died on:  Saturday  19 June 2004

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – passenger in Police sedan. Vehicle -v- tree

Event location:  Sydney Rd, Goulburn East, approx. 300 mtrs prior to Hume Hwy entrance.

Age:  27

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.

Ashes collected by family.

Memorial at:  Small car park on north side of north bound lane upon Sydney Rd, Goulburn East a few hundred metres from the Hume Hwy.

Plaque on a bolder.

The ” original memorial ” was a large gum tree in between the north and south bound lanes – opposite the car park.

The tree was lopped to ground level about 2013.

Tree location:  Lat: -34.74257
Long: 149.76721

On the 19 June 2004 Constable Davis was the observer in a police vehicle when it was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Sydney Road, just north of Goulburn. As a result of the accident the constable sustained fatal injuries.

 

The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.

SHELLEY IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra

 

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This Memorial stone is located in a small car park siding on Sydney Rd, Goulburn, northbound towards the Hume Freeway from the city.

Photos taken, by Cal, on 24 April 2018.  Note that the photo, of Shelley, had fallen from the plaque pre June 2017 and needs replacing.

GPS:  -34.74226  149.76644

 

Many thanks to Paul Pepe, Necro Imaging, 11 Bruce St, West Preston, Vic. ( necroimaging@hotmail.com ) for doing the new ceramic photo plate below.

Memorial before the replacement of the photo on Tuesday 18 September 2018.

Memorial after the replacement of the photo on Tuesday 18 September 2018.

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WEDNESDAY 27 JULY 2005.  MEMORIAL SITE AT THE TREE AGAINST WHICH CONSTABLE SHELLEY DAVIS, FROM GOULBURN POLICE STATION, LOST HER LIFE ONE NIGHT WHEN THE POLICE SEDAN SHE WAS A PASSENGER IN SLAMMED SIDEWAYS INTO THIS TREE – KILLING SHELLEY. THIS IS A HUGE TRIBUTE. I FOUND A 20 CENT PIECE ON THE GROUND AT THE BASE OF THE TREE. IT WAS COVERED IN BROWN (DRY BLOOD) AND WOULD HAVE OBVIOUSLY COME FROM THE CAR AND POSSIBLY BELONGED TO ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS. I KEPT THIS COIN. IT WAS RAINING ON THE NIGHT OF THIS ACCIDENT. SOMETIME IN 2010, THIS TREE AND THE GIFTS WERE TOTALLY REMOVED FROM THIS LOCATION. A ‘STONE’ MEMORIAL, WITH PLAQUE, WAS LATER LAID IN THE CAR PARK ADJACENT TO THIS TREE. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE PHOTOS, PRAYERS ETC BUT THE TREE HAS BEEN TOTALLY REMOVED FROM THE LOCATION ALSO.

 

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The coronial inquest into the death of Constable Shelley Davis heard her partner, Senior-Constable Paul Sharman, was doing up to 110km/h in an 80km/h zone when he lost control of the vehicle on a road just outside Goulburn on June 19, 2004.

Criminal charges layed against him soon after the crash failed a year ago due to a technicality.

In releasing her findings in Glebe Coroners Court yesterday, Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch recommended the DPP investigate laying charges “against an individual”.

Davis’ mother, Diane, said she was “pleased” the matter had been referred to the DPP and praised the efforts of investigators.

During the hearing last month, Mrs Davis read out a submission where she accused Sen-Constable Sharman of being a “cowboy cop, reckless, irresponsible and dishonest”.

Mrs Davis said outside court yesterday her family had visited Sen-Constable Sharman twice since her daughter’s death to support him but had never received an apology.

“That’s the main thing we would have wanted from the beginning – the truth, with an apology, would have been good,” Mrs Davis said.

“Shelley was always so honest and yet we have got officers she worked with who didn’t hold those values.”

Ms Pinch was highly critical of a second officer – Constable Damien Ottley – who had been a witness to the crash but had initially lied to investigators.

The inquest heard that Const Davis and Sen-Constable Sharman were travelling in police sedan Goulburn 37 – under lights and sirens – when the crash occurred at 9am on June 19.

Ms Pinch found there was no reason for them to be speeding as they were not needed at the job they were heading to – nor was that job considered urgent in the first place.

Other evidence heard in the inquest revealed that one witness described Goulburn 37’s speed as so fast “they were flying”.

Sen-Constable Sharman did not give evidence to the inquest.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/police-crash-scandal/story-e6freuzi-1111113894466

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Memorial dedicated to Constable Shelley Davis

 

 

A PERMANENT memorial has been dedicated to honour the “ray of sunshine”, Constable Shelley Davis, who died seven years ago last Sunday.

About 25 friends, former work colleagues and senior personnel from the Goulburn Local Area Command where Shelley worked attended the dedication ceremony last Sunday at the rest area opposite the site where she died in a patrol car accident on June 19, 2004.

Celebrant Trish Cunningham ( R.I.P. ) – whose husband Tony had helped with creating the memorial, fixing the plaque to the rock – conducted the brief ceremony. The rock for the memorial was transported from retired sergeant Rosie Jackson’s property by Primmer’s Towing while Rhod Stevens from the RTA assisted in the positioning of the site.

Local Area Commander, Superintendent Gary Worboys reminded everyone that police work is difficult and dangerous and the decisions that officers make can have lasting effects on other people. He said Shelley was, according to those who knew her, “like a ray of sunshine warming the hearts of those around her”.

“She was a dedicated officer and her loss was a tragedy,” Supt Worboys said.

“We can only hope that the lessons of that day will be learnt and that a similar tragedy will never happen again.”

Rosie Jackson said she would also like to thank Shane Biesterveld of Rudd Funerals for organising the plaque at short notice; Shepherds Hill Nursery who supplied some of the plants for the garden; Lena Cooper who helped with creating the garden, and everyone else who had a part in making the memorial possible.

Supt Worboys suggested the memorial would be a fitting place for a service during the annual Police Remembrance Day.

http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/971932/memorial-dedicated-to-constable-shelley-davis/

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Kylie Anne MACKIE (nee SMITH)

New South Wales Police Force

NSW Police Academy Class 260

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Casino – death

Service:   From 20 November 1994  to  3 February 2003 = ? years Service

Awards:  Nil find on It’s An Honour

Born:   ? ? ?

Died on:  3 February 2003

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – travelling to work

Event location:   South Lismore

Age:  ?

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Cremated at Lismore Memorial Gardens.  Interred there.  Area 6, Bed 5  Lot 166A

Memorial location:  Casino Police Station.  One memorial is located in the front counter area and there is also a memorial in the Detectives office where Kylie’s widowed husband is the Detective Sergeant in Charge.

There is also a Rose bush in the front garden of the police station with a Police Memorial Plaque in Memory of Kylie.

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

 

 

 

 

About 9.15am on 3 February, 2003 the constable was driving to work at the Casino Police Station when her vehicle was involved in a traffic accident. She was conveyed to the Lismore Base Hospital but passed away shortly before arrival.

 

At the time of her death the constable was stationed at Casino.

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MACKIE or SMITH are NOT mentioned in the RetiredPolice.com.au website.

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Christopher John THORNTON

aka  Thorno

“possible” relative(s) in “the job”:  ?

Goulburn Police Academy Class # 228

New South Wales Police Force

ProCst # 98719

Regd. # 24117

 

Rank:  Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday ? June 1987

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 7 August 1987 ( aged 21 years, 3 months, 10 days )

Constable – appointed 7 August 1988

Senior Constable – death

 

Stations:  ? Brisbane Waters GD’s ( 5 years ), Woy Woy HWP, Brisbane Waters HWP from 1989 ( Gosford )

 

Service:  From ? June 1987  to  13 April 2002 = 15 years Service

 

Awards:  ?  No find on It’s An Honour

 

Born:  Thursday 28 April 1966

Died:  Saturday  13 April 2002

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver

Location:  Hillview St & Nambucca Drive, Woy Woy

Age:  35 years, 11 months, 16 days

 

Funeral date:  Friday  19 April 2002

Funeral location:  Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral

 

Buried site:  Palmdale Lawn Cemetery, 57 Palmdale Rd, Palmdale, NSW

Serenity Lawn, Sec: R99  Site: 11

Find A Grave: memorial ID: 135167623

 

Monument Location:  1/  Third Floor of Gosford Police Station.

2/  Hillview St & Nambucca Dve, Woy Woy ( Stainless steel cross )

 

 

 

About 6.10pm on 13 April, 2002 the senior constable was driving a Highway Patrol vehicle in Hillview Street, Woy Woy. When the vehicle reached the intersection of Nambucca Drive, it collided with another vehicle before leaving the roadway and hitting a power pole. Senior Constable Thornton sustained extensive injuries and died at the scene of the accident.

 

The constable was born in 1966 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 August, 1987. At the time of his death he was attached to the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol.

Christopher IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

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 Location of collision: 

 

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In April 2002, Senior Constable Chris Thornton was involved in a pursuit of a speeding motorist when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle that failed to stop. Thornton died as a result of the injuries received when his vehicle collided with a pole. The offending vehicle was located and the driver arrested and charged.

http://unionsafe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NileInquirySubmission.doc

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Policeman who paid ultimate price

April 20 2002

 

Police officers were again united in grief yesterday in mourning one of their own for the second time in less than two weeks.

Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral was a sea of blue as hundreds of officers remembered Senior Constable Chris Thornton, 35, killed when his patrol car crashed into a power pole in Woy Woy last Saturday.

After the service, police lined both sides of the road to form a guard of honour as hundreds more, including acting Commissioner Ken Moroney, marched to the sombre beat of a drum.

A 56-year-old man has been charged in relation to the incident, which has rocked the force just weeks after Constable Glenn McEnallay was shot dead in a car chase in Sydney.

Many officers at yesterday’s service had donned their dress uniforms on April 9 for Constable McEnallay‘s funeral.

The Police Minister, Michael Costa, was at yesterday’s service, slipping quietly in and out of the cathedral, almost unnoticed among the crowd of more than 1000.

Mr Moroney used the occasion to call for public support.

“While nothing can make up for his passing, the heartfelt reaction of the communities Chris grew up in, then later served, will mean his death was not in vain,” Mr Moroney said.

“It has also made people realise the extraordinary work our police do in creating a safer society.”

His words were echoed by the Anglican Dean of Newcastle, the Very Rev Graeme Lawrence, who called on society to renew its respect for members of the police.

“In some ways that word is an old-fashioned concept, but one we would do well to revive,” he said.

“As a person and a police officer, Chris earned that respect, admiration and affection.”

Senior Constable Thornton‘s partner of six years, Sarah Matthews, stood alongside Dean Lawrence in the street as the hearse moved slowly away to the beat of the drum.

Earlier she had wept as close friend John Kinney told the gathering how “Thorno” had paid the ultimate price of police service.

“He swerved to miss another vehicle and chose to risk himself for another person, paying the ultimate price for his courage and honour,” Mr Kinney said.

“To me that is Christopher John Thornton, my mate, a man anyone would be proud to say they knew.”

The Newcastle Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/19/1019020708933.html

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Constable’s death was devastating

North metropolitan region police commander, assistant commissioner Bob Waites, has described the death of senior constable Chris Thornton on April 13 as “devastating”.

“His death has had a dramatic effect on his colleagues, more so, because he was one of the first people to offer help to workmates after hours, and also at work,” assistant commissioner Waites said.

“I had the pleasure and honour of knowing Chris personally.

“He was a person who loved to have a good time, while also having a lot of common sense,” he said.

Senior Constable Thornton, who lived with his partner of six years, Sarah, attended the Police College at Goulburn in 1987.

Since his graduation that same year, Senior Constable Thornton had worked within the Brisbane Water Command, initially as a general duties officer, before joining highway patrol in 1989.

Ten of his 15 years as a policeman were spent working as a highway patrol officer.

Senior Constable Thornton was travelling north along Hillview St in Woy Woy about 6.10pm on Saturday, April 13, when the marked vehicle he was driving crashed into a power pole.

The 35-year-old police officer died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

A 56-year-old man, Leonard Allan Rowley, has been charged with several driving offences in connection with the accident.

Commissioner Peter Ryan and Deputy Commissioner Operations Dave Madden attended the scene on the night of the accident.

http://www.peninsulanews.info/2002/0423/default.aspx?item=Death

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A-G urged to appeal against sentence

Posted 20 Oct 2003, 3:03pm

The New South Wales Opposition has called on the Attorney-General to override the Director of Public Prosecutions and launch an appeal against a sentence given to the driver of a car that hit and killed a highway patrol officer.

Leonard Allan Rowley walked free after receiving a two-year suspended sentence for an incident that claimed the life of Senior Constable Chris Thornton in his highway patrol car on Hillview Street in Woy Woy.

Opposition leader John Brogden says, given that Rowley had been drinking, was unlicensed and fled the scene, it is unacceptable that the DPP will not lodge an appeal.

The patrol officer’s widow Sarah Matthews says it is an insult and urges the Attorney-General to step in.

“It astounds me,” Ms Matthews said.

“This is a legal system that Chris believed in, he stood behind and he enforced every day and now it’s let him down.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-10-20/a-g-urged-to-appeal-against-sentence/1496008

 

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Deadly toll

Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.

Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.

The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.

Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.

Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.

“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”

Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”

But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.

Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:

April 2, 1937: Constable George Boore;

June 2, 1954: Constable Cecil Sewell;

November 14, 1958: Constable Brian Boaden;

December 23, 1958: Constable William Lord;

October 14, 1961: Constable James Kinnane;

September 7, 1963: Constable Colin Robb;

December 2, 1976: Constable Terry Moncur;

January 3, 1985: Constable Wayne Rixon;

July 25, 1985: Detective-Constable Steven Tier;

October 20, 1987: Constable Themelis Macarounas;

August 24, 1988: Constable Peter Carter;

June 13, 1989: Constable Peter Figtree;

June 14, 1989: Senior Constable Glenn Rampling;

January 14, 2001: Senior Constable James Affleck;

April 13, 2002: Senior Constable Christopher Thornton.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Police-Pursuits/Deadly-toll/2004/11/05/1099547386960.html

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Hearts go out to family of fallen officer

FREADA and Barry Thornton’s hearts skipped a beat when they heard about the death of young detective Will Crews.

It may be nearly nine years since their son Chris Thornton was killed on duty, but the Blackalls Park couple said it still felt like yesterday.

“You learn to try and get on with your life, you have to,” Mrs Thornton said yesterday.

“But it is a shock.

“Another one, another young life. So, so young.”

Mrs Thornton said her heart went out to Senior Constable Crews’s family as they attempt to deal with the loss.

“We know what it is like and we know it took us four or five years before we could get ourselves going again,” she said.

“We just couldn’t do anything for years, it gutted us.”
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Senior Constable Thornton was in pursuit at Woy Woy on April 13, 2002, when his vehicle hit a power pole, killing him.

The Thorntons will attend another police remembrance day at the end of this month, like they have done every year since that day. The honour roll read out at the Christ Church Cathedral service will contain another name this year.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/460097/hearts-go-out-to-family-of-fallen-officer/#slide=1

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‘Our boys haven’t been forgotten’: Policemen honoured in Brisbane Water row

September 15, 2015 3:16pm

Geraldine Cardozo  Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate

When Sarah Matthews returned home after her shift at Gosford Hospital on the evening of April 13, 2002 and spotted a row of waiting police cars she thought the neighbours were having a noisy party.

“It never struck me what was coming next,” remembers the emergency nurse who was told the worst — her fiancé Senior-Constable Chris Thornton had been killed on duty hours earlier.

“It didn’t hit me. Even when I was told. I don’t think that’s something that ever leaves you.”

This week Miss Matthews, Kylie Kerr and Tracey Holt will get together to remember their partners, Sen-Constable Thornton, Sen-Constable Peter Gordon Wilson and Sergeant Richard Whittaker, who all died on duty while with the Brisbane Water Local Area Command.

On Thursday officers from Brisbane Water LAC will take part in a paddle to raise money for NSW Police Legacy to support the families of fallen officers.

“You never want to be a part of Legacy but now we are part of this unique group and without Legacy we wouldn’t have each other,” Miss Matthews said.

But for two of the women, the close bond was forged by their shared loss and haunting similarities in how their partners lost their lives.

Sen-Constable Thornton, 35, died in a motor vehicle accident while on patrol in Woy Woy in 2002, while Mrs Kerr’s long-term partner Sen-Constable Wilson, 41, was killed when he was hit by a car while carrying out speed checks on the M1 at Somersby in 2006.

Both men were based at Brisbane Water LAC, both died in car accidents on a Saturday night, and both had the same patrol car number — 202.

“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”

“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”

“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”

Mrs Holt, whose husband Sgt Whittaker was stationed at the Gosford drug unit and was involved in drug investigations at the time of his death when he died from a brain haemorrhage in 1991, said the annual paddle is a “beautiful day”. “It is amazing the effort Daniel Sullivan and the team put in to keep the memory going of old work mates and have a good time doing it,” she said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/our-boys-havent-been-forgotten-policemen-honoured-in-brisbane-water-row/story-fngr8h0p-1227528821582

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Celeste Thornton March 12, 2020:     Would like to get message to any colleges of Snr Const Chris Thornton who was killed on duty in 2002.   Would like to let them know my parents and I are burying his older brother Leslie on Mon 16th March 2020 at Lake Macquarie memorial park 10am.

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Police Remembrance Day:

Robert Edwin BROTHERSON

late of Oak Flats

New South Wales Police Force

Goulburn Police Academy – Class DPP 10 ( Class 4 )( Class 284 )

Rank:  Nil.  Student Police Officer ( S.P.O. )

Stations:  NSW Police Academy Goulburn, Warilla ( Lake Illawarra ) – Field Placement

Service:  From  ? September 2001  to 1 February 2002 = 4+ months

Born:  Tuesday 18 April 1972

Event:  Thursday  24 January 2002

Died:  Friday 1 February 2002

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – Rear seat passenger, F6, Dapto

Age:  29 years, 9 months, 14 days

Funeral date:  Wednesday  6 February 2002 @ 10am

Funeral location:  St Paul’s Catholic Church, Tongarra Rd, Albion Park

Buried at:  Lakeside Memorial Park, Kanahooka Lawn Cemetery, Kanahooka Rd, Kanahooka, NSW

Grave GPS:

 

 

Robert IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance

About 7.20pm on 24 January, 2002 the student was a rear nearside passenger in a police Commodore sedan on the F6 Freeway at Dapto, heading to a Persons Trapped traffic accident, when the police vehicle, negotiating a broad right bend, hit a sheet of water, causing aquaplaning ( asymmetrical drag ), spun and collided with an oncoming truck. The student sustained critical head and internal injuries and was admitted to the Wollongong Hospital where he passed away, 9 days later, on 1 February, 2002.

At the time of his death the Student Police Officer was on the field placement phase of his police training at the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command.

 

I have absolutely no doubt that had we not had this unfortunate accident, Rob would have made a great policeman.  Sorry mate !.

 

The death of Student Police Officer Robert Brotherson, who was a Student at the Goulburn Police Academy, led to the Robert Brotherson Trophy which is now presented to the student with the highest academic achievement in the policing program, at the Academy, during each new course.  The trophy is awarded to that highest academic achiever at the Attestation Parade.

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Police Remembrance Day:  30 years

Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley, NSW

 

 

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Police Remembrance Day:

Almost 60 years on, Kenneth Nash still misses his uncle Allen.

Sergeant Allen William Nash, aged 40, was killed in the line of duty by a gun-wielding offender at Primbee in 1956.

Sgt Nash was one of eight officers stationed in the Lake Illawarra local area command who were recognised with memorial plaques on a wall of honour outside Lake Illawarra police station on Monday, as part of Police Remembrance Day commemorations.

Dozens of current and retired officers, families, friends, politicians, councillors and members of the public gathered at Oak Flats for a ceremony to unveil the memorial wall, and honour past and present officers.

 

Since 1862, more than 250 NSW Police officers have died in the line of duty.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2591540/lake-illawarra-officers-honoured-on-police-remembrance-day-photos/

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Honouring the fallen

By DANIELLE CETINSKI

March 19, 2014, midnight

AN adventurous young man who wanted to help people will be one of eight officers acknowledged on Police Remembrance Day, when a memorial wall is unveiled in their honour at Lake Illawarra Police Station.

Robert Brotherson from Oak Flats was working in a cake shop with his parents in 2001 when he and his wife, Melissa, decided he would follow his dream to be a police officer.

But the dream was cut short on February 1, 2002, when the student officer was critically injured in a collision between a police car and a truck.

His life support was turned off eight days later.

The 29-year-old left behind two young sons, Blake and Ewan, who are now 14 and 13.

Melissa Brotherson said she was pleased Lake Illawarra Police had decided to recognise the eight officers.

“A lot of people don’t realise that our local police take risks to protect the community,” she said.

“That Rob was a student police officer makes it even more special – the fact that the police family still honours someone just at the start of their career.”

Ms Brotherson remembered her late husband as an “old-fashioned gentleman” who did not shy away from a skydive or a bungy jump.
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“He had a sense of compassion and empathy – he was the type of kid to take in a hurt animal and that extended to people,” she said.

“He wasn’t there [in the police force] for the glory, he wanted to help people.”

The command area has lost eight officers since 1951, either while on duty or as a result of injuries sustained on the job.

An outdoor commemorative plaque will be unveiled on Police Remembrance Day, September 29, and the station flag will be lowered to half-mast.

Along with Mr Brotherson, police will remember Constable Peter Carter who was killed in 1988, Detective Constable Steven Tier (1985), Constable Peter Hardacre (1962), Constable Francis Burke (1961), Sergeant Allen Nash (1956), Sergeant William Smith (1951) and Constable Frederick McLaughlan, who was medically discharged in 1930 and died in 1938.

Lake Illawarra Local Area Commander Wayne Starling encouraged families of the fallen to come forward so they could be invited to the ceremony and contribute photographs for the display.

Family members can contact Sergeant Jason Harrison on 4232 5326 or email HARR2JAS@police.nsw.gov.au.

They can also send a personal message via the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command’s Eyewatch page on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/LakeillawarraLAC.

http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/story/2155913/honouring-the-fallen/

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In memory of Illawarra heroes in blue

 

Published on Aug 1, 2016

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Detective Senior Constable Jack Alexander NUGTER

New South Wales Police Force

Stationed:  Physical Evidence Section, Inverell

Motor Vehicle Accident

Inverell

17 March, 1995

 

On 17 March, 1995 Detective Nugter was driving a police vehicle south along the Gilgai Road near Inverell when the rear wheel of the vehicle hit a gravel section on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle then collided with a tree, fatally injuring Detective Nugter.

 

The detective senior constable was born in 1961 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 July, 1982. At the time of his death he was attached to the Physical Evidence Section, Inverell.

Kenneth John SHORT

aka  Shorty  &  John

New South Wales Police Force

Academy Class 211

ProCst # 96609

Regd. # 22101

 

Rank:  Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday ? ? 1985?

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 21 June 1985 ( aged 22 years, 11 months, 2 days )

Constable – appointed 21 June 1986

 

Stations:  Bankstown ( 19 Division ), Engadine ( 24 Division ) & Police Rescue Squad – Engadine

 

Service:  From  9 April 1985  to  11 July 1990 = 5+ years Service

 

Awards:  Nil

 

Born:  Thursday  19 July 1962

Died on:  Wednesday  11 July 1990

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Collision – On Duty – front passenger ( raining )

Event location:  Old Princes Hwy & Old Bush Rd, Yarrawarra, NSW

Age:  27 years, 11 months, 22 days

 

Funeral date: Monday  16 July 1990

Funeral location:  St John Bosco Catholic Church, Engadine

Buried at:  Woronora Memorial Park, Linden St, Sutherland

General Plaque Lawn

Section:  Wattle Lawn  Lot:  19

Lat/Lng: -34.03618, 151.04945

KEN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 9.30am on 11 July, 1990 Constable Short was the observer in a police vehicle travelling along the Old Princes Highway, Yarrawarra. The police were attending an armed holdup at the ANZ Bank, Jannali and when approaching the intersection of Old Bush Road the police vehicle veered across the roadway and collided head-on with another car. Constable Short was killed instantly.

There was also a Student Police Officer ( S.P.O. ) in the back seat of the Police vehicle at the time of the collision.

 

The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 April, 1985. He was sworn in on Friday 21 June, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Engadine.

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On the day of his funeral, the procession drove past Engadine Police Station – travelling between the Church Service and the Cemetery.

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Before he joined ” the job “, Ken was shot by an unknown assailant at George’s Hall @ 1983.  That incident was attended by Greg McMahon with Sgt 1/c Alec Morton. Shot in a very private part and very lucky to have not suffered a lasting injury.

RIP Ken.

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Glenn Donald RAMPLING

AKA RAMPO

Late of ?

NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 162

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  18596

Rank:  Commenced Training at the Academy – Monday  15 January 1979

Probationary Constable – appointed 2 April 1979

Senior Constable – appointed 2 May 1988

Service:  From 15 January 1979 to 13 June 1989 = 10+ years Service

Stations:  Mounted Police Unit, Brewarrina, Ballina Detectives

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Saturday  5 September 1959

Died:  Wednesday  14 June 1989

Age:  29

Cause:  Motor vehicle accident – Passenger – Urgent Duty – Pursuit of SMV

Wardell, NSW

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?, Ballina

Grave location:  East Ballina Cemetery

Plot:  RC C 5 Grave 15

GPS:  28*51’43″S / 153*35’28″E

-28.8619   153.5911

DOUBLE POLICE FATALITY

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

About 11.25pm on 13 June, 1989 police in Byron Bay commenced a high speed pursuit of a panel van. The pursued vehicle drove south in the Coast Road, followed by the Byron Bay Police vehicle, and into Ballina. As both vehicles continued south through Ballina, a local Highway Patrol vehicle driven by Constable 1st Class P. Beaver ( # 20992 ), with Senior Constable Rampling and Constable 1st Class Figtree as passengers, joined the pursuit. More police vehicles arrived to assist as the pursuit continued through the township of Wardell. About five kilometres south of Wardell the Ballina Highway Patrol vehicle began to draw level with the offending vehicle. As it did so, the driver of the pursued vehicle drove across to the centre of the roadway and clipped the front of the Byron Bay Police car. As a result, the police vehicle veered across the road and skidded in loose gravel before colliding with a power pole.
All three police were trapped for some time in the badly damaged police car and when freed were conveyed by ambulance to the Lismore Base Hospital. Constable Beaver recovered from internal injuries received, however Constable Figtree died before he reached hospital and Senior Constable Rampling died a short time later.

Senior Constable Rampling was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 January, 1979. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Detectives.
Constable Figtree was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 November, 1983. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Highway Patrol.
Beyond CourageGlenn, whilst working with the Mounted Police Unit, would often work traffic duty on Anzac Pde, Kensington.  He is described as a Champion boxer ( Australian Police Boxing Champion ) & athlete, the funniest guy, a loyal mate & great husband & Dad.*****

Attended this morning quite a moving 30 year memorial service for Glenn Rampling and Peter Figtree killed in a car chase near Ballina. May they rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

 

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Both Wayne Rixon and Glenn Rampling formed part of a 3 man team at the Mounties, going around mainly to country fairs performing vault tricks with the draft horse. Tragically both lost their lives in High Speed pursuits after leaving the Mounties for other duties. RIP, both were good men.

 

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John Irving BURGESS

New South Wales Police Force

Goulburn Police Academy Class # 216

Regd. # 22455

Rank: Commenced Training – 28 October 1985

Probationary Constable – appointed 17 January 1986

Constable – appointed 17 January 1987

Final Rank: Constable

 

Service:  From 28 October 1985 to 29 April 1989 = 3+ years Service

Stations:  ? ,Balmain ( 8 Division ) – death

Awards:  ? nil find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Monday  25 April 1960

Event date:  Thursday  27 April 1989

Event location:  Booth St & Jonston St, Annandale, NSW

Event type: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Caged vehicle – Urgent Duty ( Passenger: Cst Andrew Mortimer )

Died:  Saturday  29 April 1989

Age:  29 yrs  4 days  ( 4 days into his 29th year )

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland

Buried at:  Cremated;

Ashes – Wall of Memories, Panel 30, GG, 0256

JOHN IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance but the DATE is INCORRECT

Should read 29 April 1989

About 2.25am on 27 April, 1989 Constable Burgess was driving a caged police vehicle in Booth Street, Annandale. Constable Andrew Mortimer was observer in the vehicle and they were responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad police. At the intersection of Johnston Street, the police vehicle collided with a semi trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died two days later ( on the 29 April ) at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when life support systems were turned off.

 

The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 October, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

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The Canberra Times

Monday  1 May 1989   page 3 of 36

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/122258616

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Further reading:  https://police.freom.com/woronora-cemetery-wall-of-remembrance/

 

Location of collision: 

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Risto Vic BALTOSKI

AKA Risco BALTOSKI

Late of ?

New South Wales Police Force

NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 148

Regd. #  17072

 

Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Tuesday 17 June 1975 ( aged  20 years, 2 months, 19 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 25 August 1975 ( aged 20 years, 4 months, 27 days )

Constable – appointed 25 August 1976

Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )

Senior Constable – appointed 25 August 1984

 

Final Rank = Detective Senior Constable

 

Stations: ?, 21 Division, 13 Division, Homicide Squad, Secondment to NCA – Adelaide South Aust. – Death

 

Service: From  17 June 1975   to   2 January 1989 = 13 years, 6 months, 16 days Service

Time in Retirement:  0

Age at Retirement:  33 years, 9 months, 4 days

 

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born: Tuesday 29 March 1955

Died on: Monday 2 January 1989

Age: 33 years, 9 months, 4 days

Cause: MVA – Driver – crossed to wrong side of road ( possibly fatigue )

Event location: Sturt Highway, about 68 kilometres, west of Hay, NSW

Event date: Monday  2 January 1989 about 2pm ( CAT )

 

Funeral date: ? ? 1989

Funeral location: ?

 

Wake location: ?

 

Funeral Parlour: ?

 

Buried at: Pinegrove Memorial Park, Kington St, Minchinbury, NSW

Garden of Memories 1 / 43 ( M1 – 565 J )

GPS:  Lat: – 33.79090    Long:  150.84749

 

Memorial located at:  Memorial Wall plaque – Deniliquin Police Station – 2018

 

RISTO IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance – Canberra

RISTO IS mentioned on the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance – Sydney

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Grave location:

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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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On 2 January, 1989 Detective Baltoski was travelling to the National Crime Authority Offices in Adelaide in company of Mick KEELTY who was later to become the Australian Federal Police Commissioner.

About 2pm as he was driving along the Sturt Highway about 68 kilometres west of Hay when the vehicle crossed to the incorrect side of the roadway and collided head-on with another vehicle.

The exact cause of the accident was not determined.

As a result of the collision Detective Baltoski sustained severe head and internal injuries and died before he reached the Hay District Hospital.

 

The senior constable was born in 1955 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 June, 1975.

At the time of his death he was on secondment to the National Crime Authority. Prior to that, he had been attached to the Homicide Squad.

Source:  Beyond Courage

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Location:  405 Charlotte St, Deniliquin Police Station, NSW

Dedication date:  Saturday 17 February 2018

Source:  Monument Australia

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Keelty on the beat

April 8, 2006 — 10.00am

IT SAYS something of Mick Keelty’s humble origins and his modest ambitions as a young man that when his uncle – a NSW copper – urged him to join the police force, he chose the constabulary of the sleepy national capital.

The son of a butcher who grew up in a large Irish-Catholic family in a two-bedroom fibro home in Parramatta, Keelty says “going to Canberra as one of six kids and being the first one to leave home … it was almost like an adventure for a 19-year-old”.

Keelty was a diligent student, by all accounts, and settled well. But a long five years in the ACT Accidents Squad was no portent of things to come, nor a posting soon after to lecture at Goulburn’s police academy.

The rise of the Australian Federal Police Commissioner, who this month begins a second five-year term overseeing a law enforcement empire of global reach, can be traced to the 1980s when the fresh detective cracked one of the seminal cases of that halcyon era of corrupt cops, colourful racing identities and underworld kingpins.

Keelty had been seconded to the National Crime Authority, which was still grappling with the fallout from the death of the anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay, the Italian Mafia and its extensive cannabis production.

Barry Moyes was the high-profile head of South Australia’s drug squad. A long investigation led Keelty down an intriguing path – his sources were saying a large dope operation was flourishing under the protection of Moyes. It was stunning information.

“He was involved in a crop at the time and distributing drugs from the drug safe,” Keelty says.

“Nobody believed that South Australia had a problem. You heard about police corruption in NSW and Victoria but no one had heard of it existing in South Australia.”

After exhaustive police surveillance of Moyes, a magistrate approved a warrant and Keelty searched the drug tsar’s office while Moyes looked on. Seized drugs that were supposed to have been destroyed were found in Moyes’s personal safe.

Moyes protested his innocence and invented a novel alibi – he was consorting with known Mafia figures because he was, secretly, infiltrating organised crime and couldn’t tell his possibly corrupt colleagues.

The alibi flew, at least until Keelty visited a heroin addict on Bondi Road who turned informant during a quiet negotiation in a room splattered with vomit.

Moyes confessed all at trial and Keelty’s star rose, an ascent confirmed soon after when he led the team that put the underworld kingpin Lenny McPherson behind bars.

Keelty says he always loved the “thrill of the hunt” and his partner during those days, NSW policeman Mike Edgtton, says Keelty “worked with anyone from everywhere. He drew the best out of everyone.”

“The Italian Mafia case was a big one. It was a triumph but there was also tragedy.”

Keelty’s partner, Risto Baltoski, was killed after a head-on collision on the baking Hay plain after one of many long-haul trips the two men made to South Australia.

The young detective cradled his partner in 40-degree heat during the long wait for the ambulance.

“Mick thought [Baltoski] was OK but when he headed back to town he heard on his police radio that Risto had died. It was terrible. He was one of his best mates,” Edgtton says.

A few big nights on the drink was the traditional remedy and Keelty still won’t talk about the incident but, as Commissioner, he has ploughed resources into trauma counselling. The AFP has won awards for its family-friendly polices, and Keelty’s close personal protection officer is a woman.

The first commissioner to emerge from within its ranks, Keelty is immensely popular within the AFP and has an unprecedented public profile.

During his tenure, the force’s annual budget has grown from $385 million in 2001 to $1.1 billion, while staffing levels have doubled to 5200. Along the way, the force has taken over jobs that used to be the domain of the National Crime Authority, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and, arguably, the military.

His fame, of course, was cemented in 2004 by the “Keelty affair”, his frank remark to the journalist Laurie Oakes that the Iraq war would have motivated the Madrid terrorist bombings.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, was mortified and Keelty considered his future as he was condemned as an al-Qaeda propagandist by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and misinformed by the chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove.

Cosgrove remains a mate, but the saga is instructive. It betrays Keelty’s abiding interest in the social and economic factors that underpin crimes of all descriptions and his recognition of the limits of law enforcement.

“I’ve always thought about what puts a person in the position they are in,” Keelty says. “If you understand the reasons why they have committed the crime, you have a better chance of solving the crime.”

In the context of terrorism, that means combating the “radicalisation” of young Muslims.

Note it is Keelty who is advocating what he calls the “deprogramming” of Islamic extremists if they are placed under house arrest under controversial new powers.

For drugs, it’s about social support, harm minimisation and going offshore to attack suppliers at source. Pedophilia – the subject of large AFP investigations – abhors and intrigues him.

“Pedophilia is really to me an enigmatic crime,” he says. “[Pedophiles are often] people who are otherwise intellectually very capable. They are not from the lower socioeconomic group.”

As the AFP launched its wide investigation into internet child porn, Keelty took the extraordinary step of counselling his officers that they could be excused from the job if they found the material involved offensive, or tempting.

“Nothing can guarantee me that the people I would put into the investigation of that crime may or may not have those tendencies,” he recalls.

“One of the things I announced to the organisation was that anybody that was unhappy or anyone who was not certain whether they could investigate that sort of crime ought to be encouraged to say it up front.”

One former officer who has worked with Keelty says his casual, almost guileless manner often masks the depth and intelligence of the Commissioner.

But the officer questioned Keelty’s uncommon focus on “socioeconomic causes of crime”.

“It can erode the effect of policing, and it can complicate things,” the former staffer says.

With more than 30 postings around the world, including the first and only permanent Western policing presence in China and Vietnam, the internationalisation of the AFP has been perhaps the defining feature of Keelty’s reign.

As well as extensive co-operation with overseas police forces on transnational crime, including terrorism, the AFP has sent large contingents as peacekeepers to East Timor, the Solomon Islands and, briefly, Papua New Guinea.

Keelty has been the consummate diplomat, helped by his fascination for different cultures and his drive to tackle crime globally and bring down the big players in illegal and illicit activity.

His deference to Jakarta during the East Timor crisis – he always visited the Indonesian capital before heading on to Dili – laid the groundwork for the quick co-operation in the wake of the Bali bombings.

It didn’t hurt that Keelty had studied with Indonesia’s General I Made Pastika in Canberra, and helped him with his homework, during the mid-1990s.

“There have been a lot of on-the-ground operational, and public perception, problems that have come out of working with overseas forces,” says one former AFP staffer.

“The Bali nine is a classic example. So is Schapelle Corby.”

There is little doubt that in the court of public opinion, the AFP’s reputation took a beating in these drug mule cases.

The AFP had been tipped off about some of the young men and women who were part of the Bali nine but Keelty says they had eight names, of whom just five travelled.

He could not have tipped off the youngsters – as many have argued the AFP should have – because the whole investigation would have collapsed, he says.

The Indonesians had every right to arrest the Australian couriers. “It was their sovereign land,” Keelty says.

As for the fuss surrounding Corby, Keelty is blunt and unsympathetic.

“If Schapelle Corby wasn’t a very attractive young lady, the reaction might have been quite different.”

Consider it from the Indonesian side, he adds. Protesting that the cannabis in Corby’s bodyboard bag had been planted was the “universal excuse” of drug traffickers and would open the floodgates if accepted with no hard evidence.

Even so, Keelty remains popular. He is probably the only prominent security figure regarded highly by both the Prime Minister and Australia’s Muslim community.

Ali Roude, the vice-president of the Islamic Council of NSW, credits Keelty for a “great relationship” between the AFP and the Muslim community.

“He has a good grasp of issues. He is the first federal police commissioner to have taken a leadership role in initiating contact with Australian Muslim community,” Roude says.

Certainly, Keelty won’t join the conga line of politicians decrying multiculturalism and uttering dark warnings about the imposition of sharia law.

Noting the Protestant versus Catholic schism of his childhood, not to mention the Italians he and his mates branded “wogs”, Keelty says of the tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims that they are worrying but not necessarily new.

“We have been down this road before, if we think it through,” he says.

“I think there is great credit in trying to develop a very tolerant society and a very understanding society. It can be our competitive difference over the rest of the world.”

YES, COMMISSIONER

On Schapelle Corby “Every courier, whether they are coming into Australia or whether they are going into Vietnam, going into Thailand, will say the drugs are not mine. It’s the universal excuse … If Schapelle Corby wasn’t a very attractive young lady, the reaction might have been quite different.”

On the AFP abroad “The justice systems are very different to ours. There are issues of corruption, nepotism and wantok [tribal allegiance]. You have to work with and around those systems [in a way] that preserves your integrity.”

On policing “You can get yourself into a routine where you are locking up the same people over and over again and you really don’t believe you are making a difference.”

On multiculturalism “I was brought up in the western suburbs of Sydney in the days when we used to call the local Italian snack bar the wog shop. But all immigrants have given us a rich culture … and what a strength that is.”

On terrorism “We have got to deal with this radicalisation process somewhere along the line. If we don’t, I think we risk having the problem for a lot longer than we might otherwise have it.”

Keelty on the beat

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Gregory Malcolm ASHWORTH

NSW Police Academy Class # 223

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # 23153

Rank:  Commenced training at Goulburn Police Academy on 29 September 1986 ( aged 20 years, 3 months, 4 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed19 December 1986

Constable – appointed 7 March 1988 ( lost 3.5 months Seniority )

Final Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Pennant Hills

Service:  From  29 September 1986  to  29 August 1988 = 1+ year Service

Awards:  nil

Born:  Saturday  25 June 1966

Died on:  Monday  29 August 1988

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – Urgent Duty – Driver

Event location:  Corner of Pennant Hills Rd & Stuart Ave, Pennant Hills

Age:  22 years, 2 months, 4 days

Funeral date:  2 September 1988

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Plassey Rd, Macquarie Park, 2113

Grave location:  General Lawn, Row 0, Plot 0531

GPS of Grave:  -33.789315       151.137817

GREG IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

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About 4.20pm on 29 August, 1988 Constable Ashworth and Probationary Constable Currie left the Hornsby Police Station to attend an armed holdup at the West Pennant Hills branch of the National Bank. Whilst travelling along Pennant Hills Road Constable Ashworth swerved to avoid a stationary semi-trailer at the intersection of Stuart Avenue and collided with a median strip, causing the police vehicle to overturn onto the incorrect side of the roadway and hit an oncoming vehicle. As a result Constable Ashworth sustained severe head and internal injuries and although quickly attended to by Constable Currie, he died a short time later.

The constable was born in 1966 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 September, 1986. At the time of his death he was stationed at Pennant Hills.

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Event location: 

 

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The Holdup alarm, mentioned above, was a ‘false alarm‘.

Greg was aspiring to join the Pennant Hills Police Rescue Squad and, had he not died so early in his career, he was on his way to being nicknames ‘Bluey’ – no doubt a reference to him having red hair.

The accident happened on an uphill left hand curve near the Thornleigh tip.

As was the custom of the day, the vehicle was returned to the police station and was placed outside of the Meal Room at Hornsby Police Station where it was visible through the meal room window – awaiting Mechanical examination, and was visibly stained with blood.

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Death Notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 31 August 1988.

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