Anthony WOODS

AKA  Tony WOODS  

* Nickname: Fumbles, Woodsy

Late of  ? 

Relations in ‘the job’:

“possible” relation in ‘the job‘:    ?

Police Training Centre – Western Australia  Class #  ? ? ? 

Western Australia Police Force

Regd. #  17631

Rank: Commenced Training as a Cadet at W.A. Police Academy on Monday ? ? 2019

Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? 2022

Constable – appointed ? ? ?

Final Rank: = Constable

Stations:  ?, Belmont ( December 2022 – 12 June 2023 ) – Death

Service: From  ? ? 2021    to   12 June 2023  =  ?   years,  Service

Retirement / Leaving age: =  ?

Time in Retirement from Police:  ?

Awards:  National Medal – granted ? ? ?

1st Clasp to National Medal – granted ? ? ?

2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted ? ? ?

 Born:   ? ? 1994

Died on:  Sunday 11 June 2023

Age:  28 years,

Organ Donor:  Y / N / ?

Cause:  MURDERED – Ran over with vehicle

Event location:       Ascot Pce, Ascot ( Perth ), Western Australia

Event date:   Thursday 8 June 2023 @ 1am

Funeral date:  Thursday 6 July 2023

Funeral location:  Optus Stadium, Perth, Western Australia

LIVE STREAM – YES  ?

Wake location:  ???

Wake date:  ???

Funeral Parlour:  Bowra & O’Dea Funeral Directors, W.A.  08 92315199

Buried at: Cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery, Railway Rd, Karrakatta, W.A.

Grave Location:  Section:          Row:  ?         Plot:  ?

Grave GPS:  ?,       ?

Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at:  ?

Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( June 2023 )

ANTHONY is  mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance  * BUT WILL BE ( 2023 )

ANTHONY will be mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, W.A. ( 2023 )

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May they forever Rest In Peace

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWFallenPolice/ 

Australian Police YouTube Channel

Partial Funeral Service:

https://youtu.be/lmQgT2a_Dlw

IN MEMORIAM Constable Anthony Woods, Western Australia Police Force

 

6th July 2023 Bernard Rix – Publisher, Policing Insight/PolicingTV

Constable Anthony Woods succumbed to injuries suffered in the line of duty, while attending an incident in early June, in Ascot, Perth, Western Australia.

Three weeks previously, he had welcomed PolicingTV Founder, Bernard Rix, to Belmont Police Station in Perth, where they recorded this video intended to give PolicingTV viewers a detailed look behind the scenes.

Constable Woods’ family has asked that PolicingTV publish this video – today, the day of Anthony’s funeral – in his memory.

A personal statement by PolicingTV Founder, Bernard Rix:

It is with great sadness that I heard of the recent death, whilst on duty, of Western Australia Police Force’s Constable Anthony Woods.

Just last month, Anthony was chosen by the Force to provide me and PolicingTV with a guided tour of Belmont Police Station, in Perth. It was my great pleasure to film with him: he was a natural communicator, wonderfully friendly and engaging. I left Belmont that day having made a new friend, as well as with some wonderful film and memories.

My heart goes out to Anthony’s family, friends and policing colleagues. I may have met Anthony just the once, but his warmth that day made me feel I’d known him far longer. I hope this video helps bring back positive memories of a wonderful man: like so many others, I mourn his loss.

Full video

IN MEMORIAM Constable Anthony Woods, Western Australia Police Force – Policing TV

Thousands gather for funeral of police officer Anthony Woods in Perth

About 2000 officers and dignitaries stood in silence on Thursday as a bagpiper led the procession into a function room at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, WA Governor Chris Dawson, Police Commissioner Col Blanch and WA Premier Roger Cook were among the guests.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who paid tribute to Woods in a statement as a “young man cruelly robbed of his future”, was represented by local Labor MP Zaneta Mascarenhas.

Police chaplain Paul Trimble paid tribute to the “larger-than-life” character who was full of fun and joy, but always treated others with respect.

A firm but fair officer, he died doing what he loved best.

“Anthony was in his element and wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else in that moment,” Timble told the service.

The chaplain spoke of a man who Woods had previously arrested leaving a condolence card at the station when he attended to sign in for his bail conditions, describing the officer as “a gentleman”.

In a poignant tribute, Woods’ wife Emily said she was “proud” and “so grateful for you”.

“Your love made me really strong and I’ll carry that with me every minute of every day,” she said

Woods’ older brother Nathan paid an emotional tribute, promising to live life to the fullest in his sibling’s honour.

“I’ll do my best to pick up where you left off. You’ve left a legacy and a massive imprint on this world,” he said.

“I love you bro and always will … until next time, mate.”

The service concluded with a police honour guard.

A few dozen members of the public gathered in gloomy weather to watch a livestream of proceedings outside the stadium.

Albanese said all Australians joined the officer’s family in mourning.

“He was a young man cruelly robbed of his future … an Australian who went to work and never came home,” he said.

“Like all police officers, Constable Woods knew the risks his job entailed, yet he bravely performed his duties, putting himself in harm’s way so others could be safe.”

Albanese said the hearts of all Australians went out to Woods’ wife, Emily, and his family.

“We grieve with his friends, his workmates and the broader police community, whose every member feels each loss so very deeply,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, WA Police shared footage of Woods filmed just a month before his death.

The video was captured in May as part of a tour of Belmont Police Station as part of a series for PolicingTV.com.

“The selected footage demonstrates his professional, friendly and enthusiastic approach to the job he loved,” WA Police said.

Woods had just passed his probation with the force before he was killed, having volunteered at the PCYC before joining the police cadets in 2019 and moving into the recruit squad in 2021.

Emily has previously remembered him as a devoted husband and loving son, brother and uncle “who was taken from this Earth far too soon”.

“Anthony will be remembered as a funny, hard working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates,” she said in a statement.

“He brought light and laughter to every situation, and his wicked sense of humour is irreplaceable.”

Woods’ family was shattered by his death.

“Our pain at this time is indescribable, and we take comfort in the outpouring of love from the community,” the family said in a statement.

“We ask that you keep Anthony’s memory alive by telling stories of all of your good times with him.”

Blanch said Woods was a brave and dedicated police officer and it was a sad time for the “blue family”.

“You did your duty mate, we will remember,” he said at a press conference to announce the death.

Flags flew at half-mast at police stations across the state soon after, and Const Woods was honoured in federal parliament as someone who exemplified the values of the force.

Reagan Ainsley Chown, 23, has been charged with Woods’ murder after a vehicle with stolen number plates that he was allegedly driving hit and dragged the young officer underneath.

Chown is scheduled to next appear in court on August 30.

Thousands gather for funeral of police officer Anthony Woods in Perth | 7NEWS

‘Infectious smile’: Funeral held for fallen WA cop Anthony Woods

The wife of a police officer killed while on duty has recounted the day they cried “happy tears” when he was accepted as a police cadet.

The 28-year-old died in hospital on June 11, four days after he was allegedly run down and dragged by a car during an early morning vehicle stop in the inner-east Perth suburb of Ascot.

Mourners braved a chilly, overcast Perth morning as they waited to be let into the private service on Thursday, the facade of Optus Stadium illuminated in blue lights.

Although the forecast called for a high chance of rain, it graciously held off as uniformed officers, some donning their full dress uniform, entered the stadium.

Police commissioners from across the nation were in attendance.

Queensland Police Service also paid tribute to the fallen constable on social media.

“Today, we are thinking of our (WA Police) colleagues as they farewell Constable Woods. With Honour He Served,” it posted on Twitter on Thursday morning.

Even Anthony Albanese posted a tribute to Constable Woods ahead of the service.

“Like all police officers, Constable Woods knew the risks the job entailed, yet he bravely performed his duties, putting himself in harm’s way so others could be safe,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

Representatives from the Australian Defence Force and St John Ambulance also headed inside as invited guests, joined by family and friends of the late Constable Woods.

Outside, members of the public gathered to watch the service in the BHP Amphitheatre, which features a large screen normally used for broadcasting whatever sporting event is taking place inside the venue at the time.

Those in attendance included WA Governor, former police commissioner, Chris Dawson, Police Commissioner Col Blanch, Premier Roger Cook and his Police Minister Paul Papalia, and Federal Opposition Leader and former Queensland police officer Peter Dutton.

Mr Albanese was represented by member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas, while WA’s National and Liberal parties were represented by Shane Love and Peter Collier respectively.

Eulogies during the service were delivered by Constable Woods’ brother Nathan, his mother Natalie, wife Emily, childhood mates, and colleagues from the Belmont Police Station, where the constable had been posted since December.

Nathan said his brother should have been the one speaking “in the limelight, in his element, making you smile”.

Constable Woods’ “infectious smile,” as his mother described it, continued to pop up in the eulogies.

“You may now have been able to live the longest life, but you lived a full one,” Nathan said.

Adolescent friends Max and Jacob fondly remembered their mate, known to them by his nickname “Fumbles”.

“He is someone who deserve better, and I’ll miss him every day,” Max said.

Belmont Police Station colleagues Shaun and James touched on “Woodsy’s” less-than-perfect driving ability and elicited laughs from the audience when they told of the time he accidentally “tasered the floor”.

But they also praised the quality of his police work.

Mum Natalie said in death her son “has been given angel wings and a golden heart”.

But perhaps most touching was the eulogy given by Constable Woods’ wife Emily.

“You cried all through our wedding vows while I was dry-eyed and professional, so I think it’s only fair that it’s my turn to cry in public,” she said.

She told the story of how they received the news Constable Woods had been accepted in the police cadet program while out grocery shopping and had held each other and cried happy tears in the middle of the store.

“We spent 95 per cent of the day doubled over in laughter, loving each other and planning our future,” Ms Woods said.

“Nothing in the world will replace the comfort and love you gave me.”

The service ended with the hundreds of police officers gathered forming an honour guard outside the stadium, where Mr Blanch radioed every officer statewide, calling on them to stand if they were able to have a minute’s silence for their fallen colleague.

Those driving were ordered to pull over, activate their emergency lights, and leave their vehicles for the minute.

Constable Woods’ body was taken to Karrakatta Cemetery, where he will be cremated.

The funeral comes just a day after the man allegedly responsible for running down Constable Woods, Reagan Chown, fronted Perth’s Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.

The 23-year-old appeared on a charge of murder, upgraded in the wake of Constable Woods’ death.

Mr Chown’s was adjourned until August 30 when he’ll appear on all charges relating to the alleged incident.

Police say Mr Chown was behind the wheel of a car that bore stolen number plates when it was pulled over by Constable Woods and his partner about 1am on June 8.

As the officers tried to apprehend three people in the vehicle, Mr Chown allegedly reversed over Constable Woods and dragged him some distance, causing him catastrophic injuries.

Other officers arrived and they had to lift the vehicle off Constable Woods and perform CPR until paramedics arrived.

Mr Chown is the first person to be charged over the alleged killing of a WA police officer in the line of duty in 16 years since Constable Damien Murphy was run down by an unlicensed driver in 2007.

His killer was later jailed on a charge of manslaughter.

Constable Woods is the 88th WA Police officer to die in the line of duty.

Funeral held for fallen WA cop Anthony Woods | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

WA Police officer Constable Anthony Woods dies in hospital after allegedly being run over during arrest

A man accused of killing a police officer has now had his charges upgraded, after thousands mourn the young constable with a “cheeky grin”.

Constable Anthony Woods, 28, died in hospital on Sunday night, four days after he was allegedly dragged under a car in Ascot in east Perth during an arrest.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the man in custody over the incident, Reagan Ainsley Chown, would have his charges upgraded.

On Tuesday, police revealed the 23-year-old had officially been charged with murder.

Mr Chown initially appeared in court on Friday and made no application for bail on a number of charges, including causing grievous bodily harm while trying to avoid arrest.

He appeared in court again on Tuesday via videolink from Hakea Prison on the murder charge. He did not apply for bail and will appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrate in July.

Flags were flown at half mast outside the WA Police headquarters and at police stations across WA on Monday.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch revealed on Monday that Constable Woods had just finished his probation prior to the tragic incident.

He described the young officer as someone who liked to joke with friends and colleagues at Belmont police station.

“We spoke about his cheeky grin and the pranks that he pulled,” Mr Blanch said.

“He had a bubbly personality, he was very personable, he was well loved by all.

“Anthony was a brave and dedicated police officer. You did your duty mate. We will remember.”

Mr Blanch said a full police funeral would be offered to Constable Woods’ family, who shared a tribute to the late officer on Monday.

In a statement, Constable Woods’ family said they were shattered by the loss of their “dear Anthony”.

“He (Mr Woods) was a devoted husband and loving son, brother, and uncle who was taken from this earth far too soon,” they said.

“Anthony will be remembered as a funny, hard working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates.

“He brought light and laughter to every situation, and his wicked sense of humour is irreplaceable.

“Our pain at this time is indescribable, and we take comfort in the outpouring of love from the community.

“We ask that you keep Anthony‘s memory alive by telling stories of all of your good times with him.”

On Sunday, WA Police said in a statement: “Constable Anthony Woods exemplified the values of the WA Police Force.

“His is memory will be forever etched in our hearts.

“We extend heartfelt condolences to Anthony’s family, colleagues and all those who knew and loved him.”

Constable Woods and his partners were following a vehicle with allegedly stolen plates about 1am on Thursday.

The vehicle came to a stop on Ascot Place before police approached the vehicle and the three people inside.

It is alleged the car suddenly reversed while police were dealing with the driver.

“He (Constable Woods) has subsequently been pinned by that vehicle,” Mr Blanch said.

“His partner then had a desperate few minutes to not only put three suspects into custody inside that vehicle but also try to save the life of his partner.”

Other officers arrived soon after and rushed to assist.

Police used a nearby resident’s car-jack to lift the car off Constable Woods before performing CPR.

Constable Woods was resuscitated before being rushed to hospital soon after in a critical condition.

Constable Woods’ death marks the 88th police officer in the state to die in the line of duty.

WA Premier Roger Cook took to social media to share his condolences to the force.

“I am devastated by the horrific events that occurred last week resulting in the death of one of our police officers,” Mr Cook said.

“Actions like these are senseless – and going to work should be safe.

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone in WA, in sending our love and thoughts to Anthony’s family, friends and colleagues. His life was dedicated to making our state a safer place for West Australians.

“He is to be commended on his dedication and bravery.”

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas said on Sunday the Council House would be lit blue to honour Constable Woods.

“We remember his bravery and mourn his loss,” Mr Zempilas said.

“Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Our city has lost a hero.”

City of Gosnells councillor and former police officer Glenn Dewhurst also paid his respects.

“Even though I have been out of the force for some time, it still hits home when one of your own loses their life,” he said.

“God bless you – your family and friends and your colleagues past and present.”

Police said the vehicle’s other two occupants, a 20-year-old woman and 25-year-old man, had been released pending further investigation.

Constable Anthony Woods dies after allegedly being run over during arrest in Perth | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

Accused cop killer in court one day before Constable Anthony Woods’ funeral

The man accused of fatally running down a police officer made a brief appearance in court just a day before his alleged victim is farewelled.

Constable Anthony Woods will be honoured in a private funeral service at Optus Stadium on Thursday, expected to be attended by thousands of his fellow officers.

The 28-year-old’s life support was switched off four days after suffering catastrophic injuries after allegedly being backed over and dragged by a car he and his partner had stopped in the inner-eastern Perth suburb of Ascot in the early hours of June 8.

The man allegedly behind the wheel of the vehicle, Reagan Ainsley Chown, had his case briefly heard in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old appeared via video link from Hakea Prison in his first appearance in Stirling Gardens following appearances in Perth Magistrates Court, where he had his charges upgraded to murder.

He’s also facing a number of drugs charges as well as reckless driving to escape pursuit by police and driver of a vehicle failed to comply with a direction to stop (circumstance of aggravation), which also relate to the June 8 incident.

His matter was adjourned to August 30 when all of his charges, including the count of murder, will be heard together.

During the fatal incident, Constable Woods and his partner had been trying to detain three people in the stopped vehicle, which allegedly bore stolen number plates, when it allegedly reversed and struck Constable Woods.

Other officers arrived and had to lift the car off the critically injured constable, performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch previously spoke about visiting Constable Woods’ colleagues at Belmont Police Station in the days following his death.

“We spoke about his cheeky grin and the pranks that he pulled,” Mr Blanch said.

“He had a bubbly personality, he was very personable, he was well loved by all.

“Anthony was a brave and dedicated police officer. You did your duty mate. We will remember.”

In a statement following his death, Constable Woods’ family said they were shattered by the loss of their “dear Anthony”.

“He (Mr Woods) was a devoted husband and loving son, brother, and uncle who was taken from this earth far too soon,” they said.

“Anthony will be remembered as a funny, hard working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates.

“He brought light and laughter to every situation, and his wicked sense of humour is irreplaceable.

“Our pain at this time is indescribable, and we take comfort in the outpouring of love from the community.”

Mr Chown is the first person to be charged over the alleged killing of a WA police officer in the line of duty in 16 years since Constable Damien Murphy was run down by an unlicensed driver in 2007.

His killer was later jailed on a charge of manslaughter.

Anthony Woods: Next step in accused cop-killer’s case | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

* Story behind any Nickname:  Woodsy – stemming from the surname Woods.  Fumbles:  ?

As of 16 February 2024, the offenders Court matter, involved in our Blue Brothers Murder, has still not been finalised.

Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.

**********

Cal
7 July 2023

Updated 16 February 2024 with additional photo and offender update.

Updated 22 February 2024 with Court information.

George SHIELL

( late of Sorrell-street, Parramatta )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #   ?

Rank:  Constable 1st Class – appointed December 1902

Stations:  Lawson, Broken Hill, Parramatta Police

Service:  From  2 January 1891  to  7 December 1912 = 22 years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1860

Event location:  Pennant Hills Rd, Parramatta

Event date:  27 November 1912 about 9pm

Died on:  Saturday  7 December 1912 at Parramatta Hospital

having never regained consciousness since being struck ON Duty

Age:  43

Cause:  Traffic Accident – Pedestrian – Concussion of the brain

Funeral date:  Monday  9 December 1912 between 11.30am – 2pm

Funeral location:  From Parramatta Hospital, past Parramatta Police Stn

Buried at:  Presbyterian section, Mays Hill Cemetery, cnr Great Western Hwy & Steele St, Parramatta

 Memorial at:  ?

 [alert_red]GEORGE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]  * BUT SHOULD BE

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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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The constable was knocked down by a young man riding a bicycle in Pennant Hills Road, Parramatta on 27 November, 1912. He was taken to the Parramatta Hospital where he passed away on 7 December. He was on duty at the time. The following brief article appeared in the Barrier Miner newspaper of the 9 December, 1912.

“DEATH OF A CONSTABLE – RESULT OF A BICYCLE COLLISION.
On November 27 Constable G. Sheill [sic], while on duty on the Pennant Hills Road, was run into from behind by a cyclist named Francis Mobbs, who was on his way to the chemists for medicine for a sick relative. The constable was thrown heavily on the roadway, his head striking the metal with great force. He was conveyed in an unconscious condition to the Parramatta Hospital, where he remained in a very bad way until Saturday morning last, when he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased officer, who was 43 years of age and had been 22 years in the police force, leaves a widow and three children. He was previously stationed at Lawson and Broken Hill.”

The constable was born in 1860 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 2 January, 1891. He was stationed at Parramatta. He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.

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Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), Wednesday 11 December 1912, page 2

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INQUEST

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/86142424

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Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), Saturday 22 February 1919, page 6

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article86117174.txt

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Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Thursday 28 November 1912, page 6

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article117679279.txt

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226406236

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Name.     George Shiell

Station.  Lawson …

Police District.  Penrith

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article226406072.txt

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Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954), Friday 20 April 1894, page 4

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Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954), Thursday 22 March 1894, page 1

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/44128502?searchTerm=%22george%20shiell%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954), Thursday 26 April 1894, page 3

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article44120576.txt

*At this time ( 8 December 2016 ) I am unable to find a result for this Court case.

Other articles – The Maitland Daily Mercury, dated Tue 13 Feb 1906 – mention Constable James Lees White as being Stationed at Scone.

The Tamworth Daily Observer, dated Wed 9 Dec 1914 have Senior constable James Lees White, of Weston, as the victim of an attempt murder at Sawyer’s Gully.

They Sydney Morning Herald, dated Thu 25 Jan 1923, whereby Sergeant James Lees White, served with NSWPF for 33 year 3.5 months, received his Imperial Service Medal at Government House on Wednesday 24 January 1923.  He was also responsible for the arrest of a man who had shot dead his brother, and re-arrested him subsequently when, after being liberated from gaol, he ran amok and fired on the sergeant.

The Sydney Morning Herald – Monday 21 April 1952.  WHITE, James Lees ( ex-Sergeant of Police ) – April 20, 1952, at his residence, 164 Belmore Rd, Randwick, and late of Kurri Kurri and Weston, dearly loved husband of Clara and loving father of Jack ( Fairfield ) and Frank ( Kurri Kurri ), aged 90 years.

Beloved father-in-law of Iris ( Mrs Jack White ) and Agnes ( Mrs Frank White ), and dear grandfather of Jim and Gloria, Max and Zara, Colette and Frank, and great grandfather of Jeffrey.

WHITE – The Relatives and Friends of the late James Lees White ( ex-Sergeant of Police), are kindly invited to attend his Funeral; to leave our Chapel, 151 Alison Rd, Randwick, this Monday, after Service commencing at 10.45am for Eastern Suburbs Crematorium.  By request, no flowers.  Wood Coffill Ltd, Funeral Directors, FX1296

Raymond Joseph BUTTEL

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #   ?

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, 21 Division – death

Service:  From  ? ? ?  to  13 November 1954 = ? years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? ? 1928

Died on:  Saturday  13 November 1954

Age:  26

Cause:  Motor vehicle accident – Off Duty – Pedestrian – Heavy rain

Event location:  corner of Condamine Street and Kentwell Road, Manly

Funeral date:  Tuesday  16 November 1954

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Manly Cemetery, Hill St, Manly

Plot:  N. 168  RC75  Headstone: Yes    Vine Hall # 1393

 Memorial at:  ?

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

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 Funeral 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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Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales (Taree, NSW : 1898 – 1954), Monday 15 November 1954, page 2

An off-duty police constable was fatally injured when hit by a car at the corner of Condamine Street and Kentwell Road Manly, on Saturday night ( during heavy rain ). He was Constable Raymond Joseph Buttel, 26, married, of Ocean View Road Harboard, who was attached to No. 21 Division.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article175595843.txt

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NSWBDM – Death = 28485/1954  Father = Herbert Victor.  Mother = Agnes

No find in NSW for a Marriage.

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Peter S. BALL

Western Australia Police Force

Regd. #   9734

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, Cannington, Gosnells

Service:  From  18 December 1995  to  7 August 1998 = 2+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  15 March 1969

Event date:  5? August

Died on:  Thursday  6 August 1998

Event location:  Crawford St, Cannington

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – pedestrian ( during an arrest )

Age:  24

Funeral date:  Wednesday 12 August 1998

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial at:  1 / Memorial Rose Gardens at both Gosnells & Cannington Police Stations

2/ The Safe City Constable peter Ball memorial Award, Gosnells Council, WA

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

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 Funeral 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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BALL died on a Thursday after being struck by a passing motor vehicle, whilst struggling with an offender on Crawford St, Cannington. BALL was born 15 March 1969 and joined the police force on the 18th of December 1995.

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Constable Peter Ball Memorial Youth Award

Constable Peter Ball was stationed at Gosnells Police Station and was on duty on 6 August 1998 when he was run down by a car while chasing a suspected car thief in Cannington. Peter died in hospital the next day, leaving behind a young wife and his 18 month old daughter.

Tributes and support from police and the public followed. Peter was given a State Funeral and memorial services are held each year to commemorate him.  Memorial rose gardens were also established at the Gosnells and Cannington Police Stations, where he had worked.

Constable Peter Ball Memorial Youth Award

The award aims to recognise young people, youth groups or organisations that have:

• Improved safety or promoted the prevention of crime
• Enhanced the profile of young people
• Increased opportunities for young people

Who is Eligible?

Youths or a group of young people aged 12 to 25, living in the City or not-for-profit organisations or groups supporting youth activities in the City.

Prize: $1000 + plaque

Nominations

Entries can be submitted any time during the year with submissions closing at the end of September. Award presentations will take place at the Australia Day Ceremony on 26 January each year.

Nominations should be no more than two A4 pages and where appropriate, include supporting material such as photos, media clippings, pamphlets etc.

Applications will only be eligible for one category per program. A separate Application Form is required for each entry. Previous winners are not eligible to nominate the same project for a period of 3 years effective 2016.

Send to:

The Safe City Constable Peter Ball Memorial Award
City of Gosnells
PO Box 662
Gosnells WA 6990

For more information please contact the Safe City Initiative 9391 6022 or Email Safe City.

http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/Your_property/Community_safety/Safe_City_initiative/Safe_City_Awards/Constable_Peter_Ball_Memorial_Youth_Award

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Plans for new medal to recognise slain, seriously injured WA police

EXCLUSIVE

Every slain and seriously injured WA police officer would be automatically honoured with a special commendation medal to mark their selfless community sacrifice, under a new plan to be mooted at the WA Police Union conference today.

The idea, which is modelled on an award offered by Victoria Police, has been raised by outgoing union deputy vice-president Jon Groves and has won support from the state opposition and families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan will unveil a proposal at the police union’s annual conference on Monday for a WA medal, similar to the Victoria Police Star and the US military decoration the Purple Heart, to acknowledge officers killed or seriously injured while on duty.

Under the concept, fallen officers including Constable Damien Murphy, who was run down and killed by a drunk and drugged driver in Craigie in 2007, would be posthumously awarded the medal, along with those who sustain life-changing injuries – like Senior Constable Matt Butcher, who was left partially paralysed by a “flying headbutt” during a brawl in Joondalup in February 2008.

It would apply to all work-related injuries, including psychological illnesses, regardless of whether the conditions first manifested on or off-duty.

“The Victorian Government has struck a medal for police officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty and it recognises the sacrifice, valour and contribution of those police officers,” Mr McGowan told Fairfax Media.

“It’s only awarded rarely, but it is an appropriate recognition and certainly gives families of those who have died in the line of duty some additional recognition of their mother or father, husband or wife.

“It’s also for those who are seriously injured in the line of duty – so officers who put their lives on the line and get injured as a consequence…that they are appropriately recognised for that.

“It is rare recognition, but appropriate recognition and I think that should happen here in WA.”

Mr Groves said a medal that acknowledged officers killed and maimed in the line of duty –  and not only acts of bravery – was needed to highlight their community sacrifice and the risks that police officers come up against every day of their working lives.

“We need a medal that recognises the police officers in this state who have paid the ultimate price – either with their lives or their health – in serving the community,” he said.

“It’s something tangible for those who have been kicked out the door of WA Police, due to work-related illness or injury, to have in their hands to remind them of the good times and the good work they did for the community.”

WA policeman Simon Bowen was five years old when his father WA Detective Sergeant Geoff Bowen was killed by a parcel bomb at the National Crime Authority in Adelaide in 1994.

Detective First Class Constable Bowen, who has served with WA Police for seven years, welcomed the idea saying a special medal would validate the ultimate sacrifice his father made.

“I think it’s a great concept in not only is it a keepsake, but it’s something else in the present that will identify the sacrifice and the memory,” he said.

“It’s a small token that you can just marvel at and look at it and say, for my situation, the memory of Dad is never going to be forgotten not only by me but by the blokes that he used to work with and generations to come.

“It’s a small bit of recognition. It would be humbling.”

Tracey Ball, who was widowed when her husband Constable Peter Ball was run down by a car and killed while chasing a suspected car thief in Cannington in August 1998, welcomed the police medal proposal.

The couple’s daughter, Brianna, now 17, was only 18 months old when her father died in the line of duty.

“Brianna was just 18 months old so she really has no memories of her dad,” Ms Ball said.

“She’s very proud of him but she never really knew him, she never got the chance. So to have something physical and tangible that links who he was as a police officer, I think would be extremely important to her.

“My granddad served in World War I and we have his medals. Having those medals, we used to do the Anzac Day parade and we were so proud and patriotic. To have chance to have that for someone in the police force, I think would be awesome.

“I know the defence forces award medals posthumously and with Legacy the kids go on camps with the armed forces kids who talk about their dads’ medals whereas the police kids don’t have that, they don’t have anything.”

A WA Police spokesman said the force already offered several Police Commissioner’s awards for bravery and conduct including the Cross for Bravery, commendations and a group citation for conduct.

In addition, there is also the WA Police Medal for diligent and ethical service, service medals, the Commissioner’s Medal for Excellence, a Certificate of Outstanding Performance and a WA Police Cadet Medal.

The spokesman said the Western Australia Police Cross for Bravery could be awarded to officers killed or seriously injured after a specific act of bravery and members killed in the line of duty were also recognised on the WA Police Memorial Honour Roll and the National Memorial Honour Roll.

He said the “existing awards and medals are quite comprehensive” but declined to comment about the proposal for a medal for officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

“I am unaware of any proposals for new medals and the department does not make a habit of commenting on speculation or possible proposals,” he said.

Comments:

• les bassednean,  Nov 24 2014 at 9:41am

  that is all well and good, but what do those officers who put their body on the line for their state, and then get arrested, interrogated, humiliated, insulted and shamed get?

• Mrs Elliott Watt (9038)  Nov 24 2014 at 11:37am

  I wonder if the medal will be awarded to officers with psychological injuries who have died from these injuries like PTSD, depression and anxiety? My husband died on duty from depression after 15+ years service….surely he, and other officers like him deserve to be recognized too?

• Long overdue   Perth,  Nov 24 2014 at 9:40pm

  This issues has been raised for quite literally decades that I have been aware of, and yet the Dep’t has chosen to ignore the injured in the hope they will leave. It is only if you suddenly become high-profile media interest then they cannot ignore you.
  The embarrassing fact is as things stand, all the officers who came to Matt Butcher’s aid can be recognised, but there is literally nothing that can be given in acknowledgement to Matt himself as there was no “clever act” they can use for a special commendation. And not even Toxic Tony could spin a believable one for the actions of an unconscious man. This has been raised at the highest levels in emails that were ignored and not replied to.
  If they finally come to the table on this one, great! Allow retrospectivity, even better. The men and women who put their life on the line so you can be safe deserve nothing less!

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/plans-for-new-medal-to-recognise-slain-seriously-injured-wa-police-20141123-11sgts.html

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Parliament.wa.gov.au   Wednesday  12 August 1998

Mr DAY: ……….

We must also acknowledge that violence in the community as a whole is greater these days. That is not something for which the Government or the Police Service can take responsibility; it is a problem for society as a whole. For whatever reason, more and more people in the community are likely to display acts of extreme violence. We have seen tragic examples of that within the past few years. It is a deep-seated problem for the community. In part, it relates to the amount of violence shown on television which is resulting in much more normalisation of levels of violence in the community. We must tackle that problem from a fundamental perspective if we are to be successful in fighting it.

I touched earlier on the issue of young offenders in the community. We have seen tragic examples recently of young offenders who, in many respects, cannot be expected to take full responsibility for their actions. One example is the absolute tragedy of the death of Constable Peter Ball last week, whose funeral was held today, and who was allegedly killed as a result of the activities in part of a 13 year old offender.

http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/hansard/hans35.nsf/16ab30a0303e54f448256bf7002049e8/921ef0f19887e8df4825668e001084c9?OpenDocument

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirmed today that she will travel to the holiday island to attend a memorial service on October 12 and will offer victims of the attack free flights to commemorate the day.

The assistance package will include airfares, ground transport, accommodation, travel insurance and visa costs, in line with the package provided for the first anniversary.

Assistance will be granted to family members of the 88 Australians who died.

Those seriously injured are also eligible and will be able to take a partner, child or a close relative and a support person if required for medical reasons.

But, the definition of “serious injury” has sparked concerns by survivors such as Peter Hughes and Tracey Ball, as well as Kingsley Football Club president Keith Pearce.

Mr Hughes, who sustained burns to more than 50 per cent of his body, said he was worried some people may miss out on assistance because their pain will not be deemed serious enough.

“I am happy they are offering what was offered for the first anniversary,” he said. “But I don’t think they should be singling out people. I just want everyone to be able to go back and pay their respects.”

Government sources said the definition would include psychological injuries.

Mr Hughes said he had asked the Prime Minister several weeks ago about the funding package and then wrote to her this week.

Tracey Ball, widow of Constable Peter Ball who died chasing a suspected car thief in August 1998, was also injured in the bombings along with her sister Melinda Kemp.

The pair, who were on a family holiday at the time, are concerned the assistance package will not extend to their mum and dad.

Mrs Kemp said while their father was not injured, he was left scarred by the event.

She said he had the grim task of searching makeshift morgues looking for them, a task no father wanted to endure.

Last night the Kingsley Football Club, which lost seven players in the horrific attack, held a legends match to commemorate the 10th anniversary as well as help raise money for anyone who wanted to go back.

Mr Pearce, whose son Duane was one of the players who did come home, said the club had been inquiring for months about government financial assistance and in the end decided to organise their own fundraiser to help those who couldn’t afford the travel costs.

“What is meant by seriously injured?” he said. “Is that physically or mentally, what does it mean? And how serious is serious? It should be available to everyone.”

Services will be held in both Bali and Canberra on October 12, with Governor-General Quentin Bryce to lead the service in the nation’s capital.

“It was a moment of horror that had a profound effect on Australia as a nation and on the lives of survivors and the family and loved ones of those who died,” Ms Gillard said in a statement on Sunday.

“Time has healed many of the physical wounds caused by the bombings but it can never diminish the sense of wrong we feel at this act of terror.

“Forgetting would be the ultimate injustice – and we will never forget.”

The memorial service in Bali will be held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park and the Canberra service will be held in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/costs-a-concern-for-bali-survivors/story-fndo4e3y-1226453308922

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Angela Rose TAYLOR

Victoria Police Force

[blockquote]The FIRST female Police Officer, in Australia, to be killed ‘ On Duty ‘[/blockquote]

Regd. #  24274

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, Melbourne City Watch-House

Service:  From  ?  to  20 April 1986

Awards:  National Police Service medal – granted 2016 & handed to her parents on the 30th anniversary of the Event date ( 27 March 2016 )

Born:  ? ? 1964

Died on:  20 April 1986

Cause:  Car bomb explosion – Murdered

Event date:  Thursday  27 March 1986

Event Location:  Outside of 336 Russell Street, Police Station, Melbourne.  Known as the

‘ Russell Street Bombing ‘

Age:  21

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Buried at:  Cremated

 Memorial at:  1/  Royal Melbourne Hospital – Angie Rose Taylor Ward – dedicated to Angie

2/   Angela Taylor Memorial Foundation – presented to the Dux of each Police Academy Squad

3/   Angela Taylor Fun Run

ANGELA IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May you forever Rest In Peace.

On March 27 1986, shortly before midday, Constable Taylor left the Russell Street Police Complex to collect lunches for her colleagues. As she stepped on to Russell Street, she passed within 1 metre of a car packed with gelignite. At this time, the gelignite was detonated and the car exploded, showering the area with shrapnel. Angela suffered severe burns to 70% of her body and was hospitalised as a result. However, she died on 20 April 1986.

Stanley Taylor and Craig Minogue were convicted and imprisoned over the bombing which was motivated by an intense hatred of police.

Victoria Police Association Journal   March 2006  p 10 & 11

It is 20 years since a car bomb exploded outside the Russell Street Police Complex – two decades since Constable Angela Taylor was mortally wounded as she crossed over Russell Street from the City Watchhouse.  The Police Association Journal editor Shirley Hardy-Rix spoke to Angela’s parents, Marilyn and Arthur Taylor to mark the anniversary of Angela’s death.

“It can seem like yesterday or it can seem like 20 years. But missing Angie is still as strong today as it was then; it’s just not accompanied with the pain.”

These are the words of a mother talking about a loved daughter 20 years after the criminal act that shocked the country and changed the Taylor family forever. Marilyn and Arthur Taylor admit that not a day goes by when they don’t think of their only daughter “not in a morbid way but in a joyful way”.

“That made me very proud.  Her graduation day was the part in my life when I was at the pinnacle, the top of the mountain. I’ve never been right up there since. I was so proud that she had helped others in her squad get through. She didn’t just do it for herself,” says Marilyn. She and Arthur were the proud parents on graduation day and happy participants in the celebrations that marked the beginning of what should have been a long and successful career.

In March 1986, Angela Taylor had just finished her probation and was working at the City Watchhouse. On March 27 – Easter Thursday – just on one o’clock, an explosion rocked Russell Street. A car bomb was detonated by a team of criminals. Angela was walking across Russell Street at that instant. Her injuries were horrendous and she would never recover. On April 20, after a long and courageous battle, Angela Taylor died.

“It is almost like we lost Angie twice. From the time of the bombing she never spoke to us again. Each of those dates is intermixed,” says Marilyn.

That day Marilyn Taylor was working at a small shop in South Melbourne. She heard on the radio that a bomb had exploded and a woman had been injured.

“I thought, ‘thank God it’s not my Ange’. I didn’t think of her as a woman, just as my Ange, my girl.”

When Marilyn Taylor walked down to the bank she saw a police car and just knew. It might have been a mother’s intuition. Marilyn wasn’t surprised to see the two police who came to tell her the news.

Arthur was also working that day and was later than usual getting home because he’d stopped to get some hot cross buns on the way. He was listening to the radio and heard the news that a policewoman was injured. He thought his daughter was safe because she was in the watchhouse.

“There was a car in the driveway and a couple of senior police. The penny dropped. I’m not a talkative person but I couldn’t shut up. I didn’t want to hear what they had to say so I just kept on talking. My worst fear was that she was dead – that’s what I didn’t want to hear.”

What followed was a rollercoaster. Marilyn and Arthur say they were carried on by events. They had no control. Their whole motivation was to be at the hospital. Each day they would get up and drive to the hospital. At the end of the day they would drive home and collapse into bed.

In 1986 Marilyn and Arthur weren’t offered any counselling to help cope with their grief.  “I thought if I saw a counsellor they would make it better – make me better but that is not what it does.”

Since Angela’s death many of those who knew their daughter have drifted out of their lives. “It is such a painful thing for so many people. Even the ones who loved Angie sometimes find it difficult to talk to Arthur and me.  And it is not that they don’t care about us, it is just too painful.”

The Police family haven’t forgotten Angela Taylor and this is a great comfort to her family. The Angela Taylor Memorial Foundation was established and the dux of every graduating squad receives the Angela Taylor Award.

These initiatives have all been part of the healing process.

Every year there is the Angela Taylor Fun Run. Marilyn and Arthur are always there to welcome the winners over the finish line and present trophies. It is an important day for them.  Marilyn admits in the early years she only went along because she had to but now she wouldn’t miss it.

“At first I did it because I had to – now I do it because I want to and I don’t know when that page turned.  Everyone who comes along – they are all special.  It gives us a lot of pleasure.”

Marilyn and Arthur receive great comfort out of the services held on National Police Remembrance Day. It is a special day in their calendar. In recent years they have become close to the Senior Police Chaplain, Jim Pilmer.

“We love Jim. He’s a special man. He is one of God’s chosen. He is a genuine man who gives great comfort to those people in the greatest pain. I love his services and we love going along to the Remembrance Day evening service. I like to hear the list of names read out and pray with the families and then go to the little chapel for private prayer. It is a closure for the day.”

Today Marilyn and Arthur are doting grandparents and spend time with their five grand-daughters. Four of these girls bear Angela’s name – Brooke Angela, Laura Angela, Alyssa Rose and Alex Jasmine Rose.

“They give another dimension, but nothing fills the hole of Angie,” says Marilyn.

In their garden are three Angela Taylor roses. They would love to see the rose named in honour of their daughter at the Police Academy and in each police station garden across the state.

The men responsible for the Russell Street Bombing were brought to justice. Marilyn and Arthur did attend the final day of the committal hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court across the road from the scene of the bombing.

Marilyn refused to look at the faces of the men who killed her daughter. Arthur attended the sentencing at the conclusion of the Supreme Court trial. Marilyn couldn’t face it.

“That’s how we keep a positive attitude. We don’t want these people to have any other part of my life. They’ve taken away more than is almost possible to cope with. They are not going to get in because I am not going to hate them because that would be soul destroying for me and those I love,” says Marilyn.

“We’ve avoided getting angry. Sometimes it is very hard to avoid getting angry and hating. It is such a negative emotion it would take over our lives and that wasn’t going to happen,” adds Arthur.

Marilyn and Arthur Taylor are wonderful people. They are filled with love when they could be torn apart by hate. They look at all that has been done in their daughter’s memory and are filled with pride.

“We are very proud and very humbled by the legacy of having the unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital dedicated to Angie and all the other memorials they have put up in her name. I know there are a lot of people who do a lot of work and put in a lot of time and effort into not letting Victorians forget these wonderful people who get up in the morning and put on the blue uniform because they love to do it.”

http://www.tpav.org.au/_documents/Journals/2006/March/2811e12e-ba48-45cd-b211-65339f4f374b/Jnl_2006_Mar_P10_11.pdf

The Angela Taylor rose

Release date: Fri 31 March 2006

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=4619

Shortly after 1.00 pm Thursday, 27 March 1986, a massive explosion occurred near the southern entrance to the Russell Street Police Complex when a car bomb was detonated. As a result of this act three people were injured, damage was caused to the façade of the police building and the central business district was thrown into confusion for hours as emergency workers struggled to cope with the disaster. Later Forensic tests showed the bomb had consisted of 50 sticks of gelignite packed into a motor car and surrounded by small pieces of metal which were meant to act as “shrapnel”. The investigation into the setting of the bomb began at once and continued for months. During that time two of the injured – Magistrate Ian West and Constable Carl Donadio recovered from their wounds. However Constable Angela Taylor who had suffered extensive burns to her body died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital 20 April 1986.

The Russell Street Bombing refers to the 27 March 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters complex in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The explosion was caused by a car bomb hidden in a stolen 1979 Holden Commodore.

The blast seriously injured 21-year-old Constable Angela Taylor, who died on 20 April, becoming the first Australian policewoman to be killed in the line of duty. A further 22 people were injured. The explosion caused massive amounts of damage to the police HQ and surrounding buildings, estimated at more than A$1 million.

The Age newspaper reported that the blast had such an impact because of the open-floor design of the offices acted like a claymore mine, sending more shrapnel as the blast ripped through the floors, seemingly adding more pressure to the blast as it followed its path. The station has closed down and been converted into apartments.

In the course of the investigation, a group of people including Stan Taylor, Peter Reed, Craig Minogue and Rodney Minogue were apprehended. The motive for the bombing seems to have been revenge against the police, as the bombers had previously been arrested and still resented their jail terms. In court, Taylor, Reed and Craig Minogue were convicted; Rodney Minogue was eventually acquitted on appeal.

On 7 October 1985, gelignite and detonators were stolen from the Tryconnel Mine at Blackwood. On 25 March 1986, a Holden Commodore was stolen. Both crimes were later found to provide equipment needed for the construction of the bomb.

On 25 April 1986, ten Victoria Police officers raided the Kallista home of Peter Michael Reed at 5.45 am. It was alleged that upon attempting to enforce the arrest by forcing entry to the premises, Reed produced a .455 Smith and Wesson revolver and fired at police, seriously injuring Det Sgt Wylie. Reed was then fired upon by Det Sgt Quinsee and arrested. Reed was charged with attempted murder, recklessly causing serious injury, using a firearm to prevent apprehension and possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances in addition to charges related to the Russell Street bombing. Reed later stated at his trial in unsworn evidence that:

“the police started the shooting and I only used his firearm in self defence.”

On 30 May 1986, police arrested Stanley Brian Taylor during a 2 am raid on his Birchip home. Brothers Craig and Rodney Minogue were arrested in a Swan Hill motel at 5.15 am later that day.

The crown did not allege that any person played any particular role in the bombing, but that each of them were members of a team which planned the bombing and caused the bomb to explode. Evidence against the accused was as follows:

Gelignite and detonators used in the construction of the bomb were of the same type as those stolen from Tryconnel Mine.

Gelignite was found at Reed’s house wrapped in newspaper containing fingerprints belonging to Rodney Minogue.

Craig Minogue owned a pair of side cutters which produced cuts similar to those found on detonator wires.

A file with traces of brass deposits matched with brass deposits found at the bomb site.
a block of wood from which a wooden part of the bomb had been sawn was found at Craig Minogue’s premises.
tinned copper wire, similar to that used with detonators found at the bomb site, was found at Craig Minogue’s premises.
residue of gelignite matched residue found at a previous address of Craig Minogue in Lower Templestowe.
evidence from a witness that Craig Minogue called around Easter 1986, to ask about the use of detonators.
a witness testified that Craig Minogue was seen driving a 1979 Holden Commodore around the CBD prior to the explosion.

– wiki

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=92297987

Young police constable, 21, killed in the Russell Street car bombing is awarded with a service medal 30 years after the tragedy

• Constable Angela Rose Taylor, 21, was killed when car bomb exploded
• She died of her injuries 24 days after Russell Street police station bombing
• Young policewoman has been remembered 30 years after the tragedy
• She was posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal 

By Jenny Awford For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 18:10 EST, 24 March 2016 | Updated: 19:26 EST, 24 March 2016

The young policewoman killed after a car bomb exploded in front of the force headquarters in Melbourne has been remembered 30 years after the tragedy – and awarded a service medal.

Constable Angela Rose Taylor, 21, died from her injuries 24 days after the bombing of Russell Street police headquarters on Easter Thursday, 27 March 1986.

She was the first policewoman to be murdered in the line of duty in Australia.

Her brother Michael Taylor paid tribute to the young officer at a memorial service on Thursday opposite the old Russell Street station, saying that she always had ‘a disdain for injustice’.

He recalled how as a three-year-old she fended off bullies by swinging a broom because they were teasing him over his leg calipers.

‘She had a strong belief we should all be treated equally,’ Mr Taylor said.

Constable Taylor was posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal at the memorial which was attended by officers, family and friends wearing pink roses in her memory.

It was given to her parents Marilyn and Arthur by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton on behalf of Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

Two men were convicted of the horrific crime which left Constable Taylor dead and 22 others injured.

One of the bombers, Craig Minogue, could soon apply for bail as his 28-year non-parole period comes to an end this year.

His co-accused, Stanley Brian Taylor, 59, was jailed for life with no minimum set.

Mr Ashton said while any parole decision is up to the parole board, he hoped Minogue ‘stays behind bars’.

Minogue, who was almost illiterate at the time of his arrest has gone on to complete a bachelor of arts degree, and has also obtained his Masters and PHD behind bars.

He also runs a website, on which he apologises for his behaviour in 1986.

‘I understand the pain and suffering that I have caused. I am very sorry for the crimes of my past, and I regret those actions very much and wish that I had not done them,’ he wrote on the site.

‘Thirty years is a very long time in prison, I was 23 when I came in and I will be 53 when I am eligible for release.

‘I hope to be able to somehow pass on to others the value that I have found in education and learning during that time.

‘That contribution I can make depends to a large extent upon others, and whether or not I am going to be given a chance to make a positive contribution,’ he said.

But Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin does not believe Minogue is reformed.

‘I am not convinced that he is the reformed Craig Minogue he is making himself out to be,’ he told 60 Minutes recently.

He went on to explain how Minogue murdered a man not long after being sent to prison for his part in the Russell Street bomb case.

‘Now if Craig Minogue is released tomorrow who’s to say it is not the old Craig Minogue who gets released.

‘What if you take his parking spot, you know, what if you bump into him in a bar?

http://video.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2016/03/24/5731756171013765268/640x360_5731756171013765268.mp4

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.

Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.

He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.

‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.

‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.

The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.

In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.
Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.
He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.
‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.
‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.
The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.
In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

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Man jailed thirty years ago for a Melbourne car bomb which killed a young policewoman is up for parole – but one officer who was there doesn’t think he’s reformed

• Convicted killer Craig Minogue may be eligible for parole this year 
• Minogue was jailed for his part in the Russell Street bombing in 1986
• A car bomb exploded near a police station killing a female officer
• He also killed a fellow inmate once he was put behind bars
• He has used his time behind bars to obtain a PHD 

By Belinda Cleary For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:09 +11:00, 21 March 2016 | Updated: 07:43 +11:00, 21 March 2016

A killer who has served thirty years behind bars for his part in the detonation of a bomb outside a metro police station may soon be eligible for parole.

Two men were convicted of the crime, Stan Taylor was sentenced to life without parole, and Craig Minogue was given 28 years without parole, which has now been served.

At 15 seconds past one on Easter Thursday afternoon in 1986 Russell Street, Melbourne best resembled a warzone.

 

A car bomb parked strategically outside the police complex exploded killing 21-year-old police woman Angela Taylor and 22 officers and civilians.

Minogue, who was almost illiterate at the time of his arrest has gone on to complete a bachelor of arts degree, and has also obtained his Masters and PHD behind bars.

He also runs a website, on which he apologises for his behaviour in 1986.

‘I understand the pain and suffering that I have caused. I am very sorry for the crimes of my past, and I regret those actions very much and wish that I had not done them,’ he wrote on the site.

‘Thirty years is a very long time in prison, I was 23 when I came in and I will be 53 when I am eligible for release.

‘I hope to be able to somehow pass on to others the value that I have found in education and learning during that time.

‘That contribution I can make depends to a large extent upon others, and whether or not I am going to be given a chance to make a positive contribution,’ he said.

But Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin does not believe Minogue is reformed.

‘I am not convinced that he is the reformed Craig Minogue he is making himself out to be,’ he told 60 Minutes recently.

He went on to explain how Minogue murdered a man not long after being sent to prison for his part in the Russell Street bomb case.

‘Now if Craig Minogue is released tomorrow who’s to say it is not the old Craig Minogue who gets released.

‘What if you take his parking spot, you know, what if you bump into him in a bar?

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.

 

Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.

He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.

‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.

‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.

The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.

In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

Paul Hetzel was a member of Taylor and Minogue’s gang, he helped police gain convictions, but in 1992 his partner’s granddaughter vanished.

Seventeen years later convicted child killer Leslie Camilleri came forward claiming to have killed Prue Bird of his own accord. Mr Hetzel believes she was taken from them in revenge.

‘I thought this is pay back just felt sick in the guts.’

Mr Hetzel said Minogue had threatened shortly after the explosion.

‘He was saying about that any bastard ever spoke about it and that, you know, they will be killed.

‘And that’s when he said wouldn’t it be a shame if anything happened to your little Prue.’

Minogue denies any involvement in the girl’s disappearance and murder. But police are not convinced.

‘There is no doubt in my mind Camilleri commit crime with others and that this crime is a payback for the Russell Street bombing,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Fisher told 60 minutes.

Minogue has said he intends to repay the community for his crimes by accepting the sentence, admitting his guilt and apologising, by making an effort to rehabilitate himself and by not re-offending upon release.

Minogue was not handed down extra time for the murder of his fellow inmate Tsakmakis in prison.

He is currently being held in a medium-security prison in Victoria.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3501405/Craig-Minogue-parole-thirty-years-Russell-Street-bombing.html

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 http://www.remember.org.au/Memorials/Scholarships/Angela-Taylor-Memorial-Scholarships

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Remembering Constable Angela Taylor

https://youtu.be/ktopk7Ff_iQ

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Forensic Investigators – Russell Street Part 5 HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrrMjRWket8&ebc=ANyPxKpWxnwJ2vgDT9orrGP7USgrmeJaNlGt3itEYD1DAFWjNNpzIk2Q4Po-MFFFoC8ggwQR_ofM48DGgV6tKDNkD1G6Lm6GFw

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Russell Street bomber dies in custody

October 19, 201610:44pm

Helen Velissaris  Australian Associated Press

Angus Lester McKNIGHT

New South Wales Police Force

Sergeant

Regd. # ?

Stationed:  C.I.B. ( Criminal Investigation Branch ), Regents Street, Newtown, Auburn ( O.I.C.)

43 old

Died  1 March 1931

 The Northern Minder ( Charters Towers, Qld )  Wednesday  4 March 1931  page 2 of 8

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The Biz ( Fairfield, NSW )   Friday  6 March 1931  page 3 of 8

POLICE SERGEANT KILLED.

Sergeant Angus Lester McKnight, 43, who was in charge of the Auburn   police station, was killed in a motor accident at Narrabeen on Sunday night. He was walking along the Pittwater-road when he was struck by a car travelling in the opposite direction. The motorist sought medical assistance, but it was found that   the man was already dead. The body was taken to the Manly morgue.

Sergent McKnight, who lived in Glenview-avenue, Earlwood, was for many years attached to the Criminal Investigation Branch, and was later transferred successively to Regents street, Newtown, and then to the Auburn district. He is survived by Mrs. McKnight and two sons.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/76326210?searchTerm=%22police%20sergeant%20kill%22&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart7452314

Raymond Vincent HURTZ

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Sergeant – Former

Stationed:  Newcastle, Wallsend, Gloucester, Charlestown, Adamstown,

Killed – struck by motor vehicle

Gateshead, Newcastle

Died  21 May 1972

66 old

Funeral  ?

The Canberra Times ( ACT )  Monday  22 May 1972  page 3 of 17

Eleven killed on roads

SYDNEY, Sunday. —

Eleven people have died on NSW roads this weekend bringing the State’s   road toll for the year to 379.

A former police sergeant was killed when struck by a car in Gateshead, Newcastle, yesterday.

He was Mr R. J. Hurtz, 66, who was struck by a car.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/102022463?searchTerm=%22sergeant%20kill%22&searchLimits=l-decade=197#pstart11023030

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The Sydney Morning Herald  Monday   Thursday  20 February 1930  page 12 of 20

PICKETING CASES.

Police Evidence.

PIT ENDANGERED BY FIRE.

WALLSEND, Wednesday.

The cases in which 73 men are charged with continuing in an unlawful assembly at Ashtonfields Colliery on the morning of January 10 were further heard by Mr. Reed, Acting S.M., to-day.

It had been expected that the men who were stripped and otherwise assaulted during the picketing of Ashtonfields would be in the witness-box this afternoon, but police evidence corroborating the account of the affair given by Inspector Graham took up the whole of the day.

The Court will resume at 9 a.m. to-morrow, and it is expected to complete the cases before the end of the week.

POLICE EVIDENCE.

Constable Raymond Vincent Hurtz said that when extra police arrived at the colliery shortly after 9 a.m. they were hooted and jeered at by about 300 men. Many logs had been placed across the roadway. The crowd did not leave till 11 a.m.

Plainclothes Sergeant George Emmett said that when the men arrived at the colliery along the railway line defendant James Dorrington was at the head of them. The men were saying, “We’ll get some of these scabs,” and similar things. About 7 a.m. he saw a sulky and harness burning, and several youths throwing sticks on the flames.

Witness identified certain of the defendants as men he had seen among the crowd. One of the policemen, he said, was surrounded because the men thought he was a newspaper reporter. They said they would not have any reporters about except their own men.

Sergeant John Marsh Ravelll said that he heard one man in the crowd say, “I would take any of those-on.”

Sergeant William Wood said that some of the men entered the engine-room of the colliery, and it was very difficult to get them out. Later men were calling out, “Bring the —– out, and we will give them what we gave the 16 back in the bush.” Some of the men insisted that police cars had been brought into the colliery to take non-union labourers away, and there was a rush of men towards the tunnel. Witness heard some men calling out, “Lulu, you lazy —-; you never worked when you were a wheeler;” and “You black —–,” to Constable Humphries.

FIRE AT TUNNEL ENTRANCE.

Sergeant A. A. J. Wilmott said that the crowd at one time appeared to intend going down the mine tunnel after the non-union labourers. No non-union labourers were there at the time, and witness advised a man, who appeared to be leading the crowd, not to let them go down, and they did not. While the crowd was there a fire occurred at the tunnel entrance, which witness regarded very   seriously. Pit props were destroyed, and there was a chance that the flames would sweep into the tunnel itself.

Sergeant Jackson, of Maitland, said that after the crowd arrived at the mine he found a number of men around a hut in the bush. They claimed that there were two non-unionists in the hut, but a constable prevented   them from entering. When the men went away a fire was discovered outside one of the walls of the hut. He had later to escort two of the Ashtonfields employees to safety. About half a mile on the way to East Maitland he was met by several hundred men, who called out, “Give us that ginger-whiskered   scabby old —-,” and tore clothing from a man named Burrows before witness could bring them to order.

Constable William C. Marr said that two distinct fires were lighted outside the bush hut.

Constable W. E. McAlpine said that about midnight on the eve of the picketing he saw the defendant, M. Hill, march more than 100 men out of West Wallsend in the direction of Minmi.

Mr. W. V. W. Thompson, of the Crown Law Office, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Warland, of Messrs. Reid and Reid, Newcastle, for the defendants.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16627138?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=

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The Sydney Morning Herald  Monday  7 July 1947  page 1 of 16

SHIPBOARD FRACAS

Seaman Stabbed

NEWCASTLE, Sunday. Sergeant C. Hall, of Newcastle police, to-day shot a member of the crew of the Fort Romane in the left hand and left thigh after another member of the crew had been stabbed with a knife.

The seaman stabbed was William Gow, 29. He was admitted to hospital suffering from punctured wounds in the back and right thigh.

Police say that, after the stabbing, the seaman with the knife took refuge in a cabin. The ship’s master, Captain Birge, then called the police.

Sergeant Hall and Constable R. Hurtz arrived, and called to the seaman to come out of the cabin, but he refused.

When the police opened the door the seaman is alleged to have rushed at them with a knife in his hand.

Sergeant Hall fired once, and the bullet passed through the seaman’s left hand and left thigh.

Sergeant Hall and Constable Hurtz then grappled with the seaman and wrested the knife from him. The seaman was admitted to hospital and, under police guard, received treatment for his wounds.

Later, a man was charged at Newcastle Police Station.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18033567?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=#pstart1007585

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate  Thursday  14 October 1948  page 2 of 6

Police Promotions SYDNEY, Wednesday.– The Police Department to-night announced the following promotions  Senior constable to be sergeant third class: R. V. Hurtz (Newcastle),

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/140351318?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate   Tuesday  15 March 1949  page 3 of 6

POLICE TRANSFERS The following transfers of police in the North-eastern Division have been notified: Sergeant R. V. Hurtz, from Newcastle to Officer-in-Charge at Charlestown;

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134350663?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=#pstart10085118

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate  Wednesday  1 April 1953  page 8 of 12

 £10 FINE FOR MILK THEFT Richard Charles St. John, 18, labourer, was fined £10 at Belmont Court yesterday for having stolen three bottles of milk, valued at 2/9, the property of Robert Aspinall, at Charlestown on Sunday. Mr. T. H. D. See, S.M., told St. John, who pleaded “Guilty.” that he took a serious view of the offence.

Sergeant Hurtz, of Charlestown, said that about 7.30 a.m. on Sunday St. John drove his car in Griffith-street, Charlestown, and a younger person got out of the car and took the milk from Aspinall’s residence. A man called out and the one who took the milk jumped into the car, which St. John drove off quickly.

In the past three weeks 41 pints of milk had been stolen in the area, Sergeant Hurtz said.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134823525?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate  Tuesday  2 February 1954  page 2 of 8

Stolen Safes In Bush A man exercising trotting horses at Whitebridge yesterday morning saw an office safe in the bush and some papers burning inside it.

Police found the safe had been taken from the Whitebridge railway station. It contained a small sum of money and documents. The money was missing when the safe was found and the documents were on fire.

Another safe containing about £83 which was taken from the Co-operative Butchery. Pacific Highway, Charlestown,   at the week-end was found intact near the premises yesterday morning.

Detective Sergeant Pollock, Detective Pratt and Constable Morris, of the Scientific Section, with Sergeant Hurtz and Constable Luxford, of Charlestown, are inquiring.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134905659?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate  Tuesday  23 March 1954  page 6 of 10

NEWCASTLE COURT BEFORE MR L. E STAPLETON, S.M.   ASSAULTED POLICEMAN. – Charles Redman, 45 miner, was fined £20 for having assaulted Sergeant R. V. Hurtz at Charlestown on Saturday, and £5 on each of three further charges of having behaved offensively, having resisted Sergeant Hurtz in the course of his duty, and having used indecent language.

Sergeant Hurtz said that about 6.15 pm.. he had seen Redman in the hall of the Charlestown Hotel. He had called out: Come on gentlemen.”  Redman had replied: “It’s you, you mug. I’ll go when I like.”

Hurtz said he had taken Redman out to the footpath. Redman had shaped up and swung a punch at him. He had caught hold of Redman, who had struggled violently. He had got Redman   to the vicinity of his motor-cycle outfit, but Redman had broken away.

Hurtz said: “I got into holts with him and we both fell to the footpath. He kicked me on the knee.” Hurtz said Redman had been drinking.” He added: “I had him up once here in another case and he’s had it in for me ever since.” Redman said he could not remember what happened.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/134911860?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=#pstart10141118

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The Sydney Morning Herald  Saturday  3 July 1954  page 16 of 52

Policemen Given Grade lift

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. C J. Delaney, today announced the following promotions of members of the New South Wales Police Force.

Sergeant 3rd Class to Sergeant 2nd  (Detective-Sergeant 2nd Class) Hurtz, R, V Charlestown :

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18427469?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=#pstart1078677

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The Argus ( Melbourne )  Saturday  13 August 1955  page 3 of 42

You wouldn’t do it to a dog – but HE did

SYDNEY, Friday: A motorist who dumped an injured dog in the bush after running over it will have to pay £21/4/ for cruelty.

The motorist, Richard Charles St. John, of Lambton rd., Charlestown, was fined £15 and ordered to pay £6/4/ costs on a charge of having cruelly ill-treated the dog.

Mrs. Wilhemina Howard, of Kahibah, said that she saw a man leave a car and carry a yelping fox terrier in a bag across the road and throw it into a gully.

She took the number of the car.

Her husband recovered the dog and took it to a vet.

It had a broken foreleg and other injuries.

Sergeant Hurtz of Charlestown, said St. John had admitted that his car had struck the dog.

St. John failed to appear.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/71673564?searchTerm=sergeant%20hurtz&searchLimits=

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

[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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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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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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Paul William MORRIS

aka  Spot

New South Wales Police

Probationary Constable Regd. #  60767

Regd. #  ?

Rank: Junior Trainee – ? ? 1988

Probationary Constable – appointed 27 January 1989

Senior Constable – death

Stations: Windsor, Penrith HWP ( 9 years ), Manning Great Lakes LAC ( from April 2005 – 31 July 2007 ) Forster HWP – death

Service:   From ? ? 1988   to  31 July 2007   = 19+ years Service

Awards:  Police Valour Award – presented on 7 August 2007 ( posthumously ),

Region Certificate of Appreciation,

State Emergency Service Medal.

No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  5 July 1967

Died on:  Tuesday  31 July 2007

Cause: Died from injuries received, as a pedestrian, whilst Off Duty, saving the life of another

Event location:  Manning St, Tuncurry

Age:  40

Funeral date:  Monday  6 August 2007

Funeral location:  Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Taree

Buried at:  Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens   Portion:  Mon  Row: B129

Memorial: 1/  NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, D30 ( left wall )

2/  Manning Great Lakes – Manning 206 HWP vehicle bearing personalised number plates

[alert_green]PAUL is mentioned on the NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall at the SPC

D 30  Left Wall[/alert_green]

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The Daily Telegraph     31 July 2007

Pedestrian cop killed in smash

Senior Constable Paul Morris, 40, died on Wharf Street, Tuncurry about 12.55pm (AEST) today after he was struck by the car, NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said.

Mr Moroney said a second off-duty officer, a 36-year-old woman, was also injured in the incident but had been treated and released from Tuncurry Hospital.

“We understand at this time that a motor vehicle approached from the opposite direction and, for reasons yet to be established, it appears to have mounted a median strip,” Mr Moroney told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

“It has travelled onto the incorrect side of the road and struck Senior Constable Morris, who was pinned beside his vehicle. He was killed by his injuries.”

The incident was witnessed by fellow officers, police said in a statement.

Mr Moroney said the policeman was a single man who was “close friends” with his female colleague.

The driver of the other vehicle had been taken to hospital in a state of shock, he said.

Mr Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione were tonight on their way to Tuncurry.

Police Minister David Campbell offered sympathy to the families of the two officers.

“Our hearts go out to their families,” he said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/pedestrian-cop-killed-in-smash/story-e6freuzi-1111114078592

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Police mourn victim of freak accident

http://www.smh.com.au/national/police-mourn-victim-of-freak-accident-20070801-qxh.html

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The Daily Telegraph     2 August 2007

THE distraught girlfriend of a policeman who died while pushing her from the path of an out-of-control car has described how the hero officer’s actions saved her life.

Tracey Fergus was yesterday suffering physical injuries and a broken heart after the death of Senior Constable Paul Morris, her boyfriend of four years.

As the couple crossed the main street of Tuncurry, on the NSW mid-North Coast, on Tuesday afternoon a car suddenly reversed towards them.

Sen-Constable Morris tried to push Ms Fergus, who is also a police officer, out of the way, but both were struck by the vehicle.

The off-duty highway patrol officer took the full force of the car and died at the scene from massive injuries.

“That was Paul, he tried to push me out of the way as best he could,” a shattered Ms Fergus told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“He was the best person in the world. He had a heart of gold.”

Nursing visible injuries from the incident, Ms Fergus smiled as her boyfriend’s family told of his three great loves – his girlfriend, his family and his fishing. “I sometimes wonder if fishing might have come first,” Ms Fergus said with a smile.

Just three weeks ago, Ms Fergus organised a surprise 40th birthday party for Sen-Constable Morris.

“I didn’t know whether he’d kill me for organising it or if he’d be OK about it,” Ms Fergus said.

But there was no mistaking how the policeman felt about the gesture.

The officer’s mother Marie Morris revealed: “He said to me afterwards ‘Mum, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me’.”

The investigation into the incident continued yesterday, with crash unit officers from Newcastle closing off Manning St in the town centre while they retraced the pair’s movements.

Sen-Constable Morris and Ms Fergus had been to a shop and were on a median strip waiting to get back to their car when the accident happened.

“It looks as if he’s been reversing back and somehow he’s come spearing across and hit the two officers, who were standing on the median strip,” a police spokesman said.

The 61-year-old male driver of the car was assisting police with inquiries late yesterday.

A full police funeral will be held for Sen-Constable Morris next week.

“He was a terrific policeman and he had the best group of workmates you could ever have,” his mother said.

The officer’s grieving colleagues visited his family after the accident, as did Police Commissioner Ken Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scippione.

Workmates struggling to come to terms with the popular officer’s death have been offered counselling.

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/hero-lover-died-to-save-me/story-e6freuzi-1111114089818

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Great Lakes Advocate

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The Daily Telegraph     7 August 2007

The injured policewoman smiled bravely as she accepted a police valour award for Senior-Constable Paul Morris at his funeral service.

He was killed last Tuesday while pushing Ms Fergus out of the path of an out-of-control car. The couple had been crossing the main street in Tuncurry, on the mid-North Coast, when a car driven by an elderly man veered towards them.

Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told mourners at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Taree that it was the quick-thinking actions of Sen-Constable Morris in pushing Ms Fergus out of way that saved her life.

“He is awarded for his selflessness and courage and for the swift and evasive action to remove his partner out of harm’s way,” Mr Moroney said.

In tributes farewelling the officer, the congregation heard of Sen-Constable Morris’s love of life, his family, his friends and his job in highway patrol – a role he carried out for 19 years.

“He was a highly regarded and respected man who served the community with courage, honour and distinction,” Mr Moroney said.

Despite her injuries, Ms Fergus smiled graciously as she accepted the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage medal on Sen-Constable Morris’s behalf.

In a eulogy read on her behalf, Ms Fergus said Sen-Constable Morris was a gentle, loving and caring man who had a heart of gold.

“Paul was a true gentleman not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face,” Ms Fergus wrote in the eulogy.

Superintendent Peter Thurtell described Sen-Const Morris as the “consummate professional” with an love of highway patrol.

“His colleagues looked forward to working a shift with him because they could be guaranteed hard work as well as good fun and lots of laughter,” Supt Thurtell said. “He is the essence of what is good about policing and he will always be.”

At the end of the funeral service, Sen-Constable Morris’s coffin was driven through a guard-of-honour, formed by officers who gathered to to farewell their colleague.

In a tribute to the highway patrolman, the procession was lead from the church by his former police car, Manning 206.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/dead-cop-had-heart-of-gold/story-e6freuzi-1111114122190

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Peter Gordon WILSON

Royal Air Force

Q8214472

New South Wales Police Force

aka Gordy

Regd. # 31925

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  Brisbane Waters HWP

Service:  From pre 13 February 1998  to  11 November 2006 = 8+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  12 July 1965

Died: 11 November 2006

Age:  41 old

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident

Incident location:  F3 Freeway, Somersby

Funeral date: ?

Funeral location: Point Clare General Cemetery, Coolam Avenue, Point Clare. GPS 33 26′ 6″S / 151 18′ 44″E

Buried at:  ?

 Point Clare General Cemetery, Coolam Avenue, Point Clare. GPS 33 26′ 6″S / 151 18′ 44″E

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On 11^th November 2006 the senior constable was performing Highway Patrol traffic duties on the F3 Freeway at Somersby when he was struck by a passing motor vehicle, causing fatal injuries.

The senior constable was born in 1965 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on 13 February 1998. At the time of his death he was attached to the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol.

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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/police-officer-killed-on-duty/story-e6frg6n6-1111112509264?nk=73412c0e9f8bd4a2da893de353e172e7

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nsw-officer-killed-in-accident/2006/11/12/1163266395031.html  – same story as above

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TO MANY they would seem among the most mundane of police duties: manning a radar camera or getting motorists to take breath tests.

For Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, doing just that at one of the black spots on the fast-flowing F3 on the Central Coast was a necessary risk.

But in good visibility at 6.45pm on Saturday he was struck by a four-wheel-drive vehicle while manning a radar camera in a turning lane in the scrub-lined centre median strip.

Police investigations are continuing into the accident less than two kilometres north of the Somersby interchange, but it is believed the north-bound Mitsubishi Pajero was struck from behind by a black Toyota HiLux utility, causing it to veer across two lanes into the path of Senior Constable Wilson, who was manning the radar with another patrolman.

The sight of the officers in the emergency service vehicle turning gap had caused other motorists travelling in the 110kmh zone to brake for fear of receiving speeding tickets.

Senior Constable Wilson’s colleague escaped being struck and called for an ambulance, but the Scottish-born father of three – two daughters aged 14 and 8 and a son aged 11 – died in Gosford Hospital that night.

The death was the second for the Gosford-based Brisbane Water Highway Patrol in four years, the last that of Senior Constable Chris Thornton, 35, who died on April 13, 2002, during a pursuit in Woy Woy.

It was also the second death of a policeman in NSW within nine hours on Saturday, the first being that of Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin, 42, of the Queensland Homicide Squad.

He was killed in an accident on Saturday morning while travelling near Woolgoolga as part of an investigation into a Queensland case.

The families of both officers were offered and have accepted police funerals with full honours.

The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, said police would help get Senior Constable Wilson’s parents to Australia from Scotland for his funeral later this week.

Mr Moroney went to Gosford yesterday to meet Senior Constable Wilson’s distressed colleagues, his children, his former wife, Wendy, and his partner, Kylie.

Mr Moroney said Senior Constable Wilson, an officer of eight years, had organised a charity golf day to raise funds for children at Gosford Hospital this Wednesday. It will go ahead.

“I think the great strength that we draw as police is the great strength of the police family. I think that is doubled by the strength that comes from the general community,” Mr Moroney said.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/officers-will-be-buried-with-full-police-honours/2006/11/12/1163266413080.html

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Death of Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson

  Item 7 of 51 

About this Item
Subjects	Police: New South Wales; Road Accidents; Deaths
Speakers	Watkins Mr John; Hartcher Mr Chris
Business	Condolence, Ministerial Statement

DEATH OF SENIOR CONSTABLE PETER GORDON WILSON

Page: 3769

Ministerial Statement

Mr JOHN WATKINS

(Ryde—Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, and Minister for Police) [2.32 p.m.]: I know all members of this House will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and police colleagues of Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson. As the House is probably aware, Senior Constable Wilson, a police officer from the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol, died tragically on Saturday night while undertaking highway patrol duties on the F3. The death of Gordon, as he was known, is a distressing reminder to all of us of the dangers of police work. In working to keep the community safe, this dedicated officer paid with his life. There are few jobs that require people to face up to that kind of risk on a daily basis. We honour and admire all those in New South Wales who pull on the uniform every day, and I place on record my thanks to them all.

I understand that Gordon Wilson was a popular man, not only among his colleagues in the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol but in the community generally. He was an avid soccer enthusiast, and in recent weeks had devoted himself to organising a charity game between local police and firefighters. The game was to be a curtain raiser to a Central Coast A-League fixture, the proceeds of which Gordon had arranged to go to the children’s ward of Gosford Hospital. Gordon spent considerable time helping to organise the game using his characteristic energy, good humour and leadership to motivate others to take part. The game will be a huge success. It will also be a fitting tribute to a man who cared for his community, both on and off the job. On behalf of the people of New South Wales I say thank you to Gordon Wilson for his dedicated service. He will be laid to rest with full police honours on Friday at Gosford Anglican Church. On behalf of the House I extend sincere condolences to Gordon’s family, friends and colleagues. Their loss, personal and profound as it is, is felt by us all.

Mr CHRIS HARTCHER

(Gosford) [2.34 p.m.]: On behalf of all members of New South Wales Coalition, and on behalf of the citizens of Gosford, I pay tribute to Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, who died last Saturday night on the F3 while serving the community. Senior Constable Wilson was born in Scotland and is survived by his fiancée, two daughters and a son. The children are aged between eight and 14. Known as Gordie, Senior Constable Wilson was attached to the highway patrol in the Brisbane Water Local Area Command and was stationed at Gosford. I did not have the privilege of knowing him personally, but he was well known to the shadow Minister for Police, the Hon. Michael Gallacher. Only three weeks ago Mike Gallacher met Peter Wilson at a function at the Mingara Recreation Club which was held in honour of the national servicemen who served our country.

That night Peter Wilson spoke extensively to Michael Gallacher about how proud he was of his family and of his involvement in Scottish highland dancing. He talked about the upcoming highland dance festival on the Central Coast, which is due to take place in 2007, and his involvement in organising the festival, which will be attended by thousands of people from all over the world. He spoke also of his great pride and support for the Hibernian Soccer Team, which is based in Edinburgh. I note that the New South Wales Commissioner of Police has said that a charity golf day, which had been organised by Peter, will still go ahead. We have all lost a fine police officer. The people of the Central Coast and the community of New South Wales have lost a fine man. May he rest in peace.

Members and officers of the House stood in their places.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20061114007

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Officer was set to wed, mourners told

November 17, 2006 12:00AM

TWO days before he was killed on duty, New South Wales police officer Peter Gordon Wilson told his three children he was going to remarry.

Senior Constable Wilson, 41, had dated girlfriend Kylie McFarland on and off for seven years and the pair had recently chosen a wedding ring.

Before he went to work last Saturday, the couple went through their normal routine, which made her feel more secure about the dangers he faced as a highway patrol officer, Ms McFarland told more than 1000 mourners at the Gosford Anglican church today.

He kissed her and told her he loved her before she said “take care and stay safe”.

The Scottish-born officer was killed later that day while making speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was hit by a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Today’s congregation, which included police officers from as far away as Tasmania, was told it was his favourite stretch of road.

When he died in Gosford Hospital later that night, his 11-year-old son Callum turned to Ms McFarland and said he also wanted to be a police officer.

Ms McFarland today said she felt most pained for his children, including Caitlin, 14, and Amy 8, and his parents Bill and Elma and sister Hazel.

As for herself, she would miss the little things.

“No one can say my name like he can,” she said.

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, who visited Ms McFarland on Sunday, Police Minister John Watkins and Opposition police spokesman John Gallacher were among the mourners.

The congregation was told Snr Const Wilson, known as Gordy to his mates, served 12 years with the Royal Air Force before moving to Australia.

He became a probationary police constable in February 1998 and joined the highway patrol about four years later.

Mr Moroney posthumously awarded Snr Const Wilson the NSW Police Medal for his work during a collision involving 34 cars in Calga in October 2004.

“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” the commissioner said.

Uniformed officers, who stood with their heads bowed during the service, later lined the closed street outside the church.

Snr Const Wilson’s colleagues acted as pall bearers and wept openly as his casket was driven from the church past hundreds of officers, who saluted as it passed.

http://www.news.com.au/national/officer-was-set-to-wed-mourners-told/story-e6frfkp9-1111112540666

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November 17, 2006 – 10:31AM

A highway patrol officer knocked down and killed while conducting speed checks has been posthumously awarded the NSW police medal.

Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, was operating speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle on Saturday.

The Scottish-born officer and father of three died later in Gosford Hospital. He had been in the force for 10 years.

Police Commissioner Ken Moroney announced that Const Wilson would receive the honour during the officer’s funeral in Gosford.

More than 1,000 people packed into the Gosford Anglican church to farewell the policeman, who was known as Gordy.

Const Wilson’s fiancee Kylie McFarland and one of his two daughters, Caitlin Wilson, gave eulogies during the service.

Mr Moroney presented the medal to Const Wilson’s son Callum and his parents, who were flown in from Scotland.

The congregation, which included officers from Surry Hills in Sydney’s inner city to Tasmania, was told the award was presented for his excellent work during a collision involving 35 vehicles in Calga on October 22, 2004.

“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” Mr Moroney said.

“I’m honoured to announce that I have, with agreement from the minister of police, (given) the posthumous award for the NSW police medal to Peter.”

With hats under their left arm and heads bowed, many uniformed officers listened to Ms McFarland recount the routine she shared with her fiance before he went to work.

She said they would spend time together before he kissed her and told her that he loved her. Her reply would be “take care, stay safe”.

Such a routine, she said, made her feel more secure about his role as a highway patrol officer.

Ms McFarland thanked police, including Mr Moroney who visited her on Sunday morning, for attending the service.

Their 11-year-old son Callum, she said, had turned to her at Gosford Hospital soon after his father died and announced that he too wanted to be a police officer.

At the conclusion of the service, uniformed officers and detectives dressed in black suits stood on either side of the closed road outside the church and saluted as Const Wilson’s coffin was driven to the cemetery.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Mourners-gather-for-officers-funeral/2006/11/17/1163266748974.html

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Australia remembers its fallen officers

Release Date: Friday, September 28 2007, 12:00 AM

Seven police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Australian community will have their names added to the National Police Memorial in a ceremony in Canberra today.

Touch-stones will be added to the memorial for the following officers who have died on duty in the past year:

• Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe – Victoria Police
• Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin – Queensland Police Service
• Constable Brett Irwin – Queensland Police Service
• Constable Damien Murphy – Western Australia Police
• Senior Constable Peter Wilson – NSW Police Force
• Federal Agent Mark Scott – Australian Federal Police
• Commander Brice Steele – Australian Federal Police

The touch-stones will be illuminated for the first time during the National Police Remembrance Day service. The service is an annual event involving police from all over Australia and the Pacific nations.

The National Police Memorial was opened last year with the names of 719 fallen officers inscribed on brass touch-stones – with their date and place of death – distributed randomly across the wall.

The memorial honours all police killed on duty, dating back to the 1803 death of Constable Joseph Luker in Sydney. National Police Remembrance Day is also the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, renowned as a fighter of evil and also the Patron Saint of Police.

National Police Remembrance Day will commence with a dawn service at Queanbeyan, where the NSW Police Chaplain will bless the seven touch-stones. The main service will be held from 5pm at Wendouree Drive, Kings Park, Canberra.

Senior Constable Peter Wilson passed away on 11 November 2006 – New South Wales Police Force

Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson joined the New South Wales Police Force as a student police officer on 18 May 1997 and was promoted to constable in early 1999 and a senior constable in 2002.

Senior Constable Wilson was dedicated to ensuring road safety and the implementation of associated traffic law enforcement programs. He was an outstanding example to others to follow in the best traditions of professional policing, courage and commitment.

Senior Constable Wilson was awarded the prestigious New South Wales Police Medal in recognition of his integrity and diligence, not only to the police force but to the people of New South Wales. After 10 years in the service, Senior Constable Wilson was killed on duty by a motor vehicle in November 2006.

His enthusiasm, professionalism and personal efforts as a very dedicated highway patrol officer will never be forgotten by the New South Wales Police Force.

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Coroner recommends overhaul of police radar checks

Updated 26 Aug 2009, 7:22amWed 26 Aug 2009, 7:22am

Photo: The coroner said hand-held radar checks are ‘extremely dangerous.’

Map: Somersby 2250

The death of a New South Wales police officer in a roadside accident three years ago has prompted a coroner to recommend an overhaul of the way radar speed checks are carried out.

Forty-one-year-old senior constable Peter Gordon Wilson was killed when he was struck by a four-wheel-drive while carrying out hand held radar checks in November 2006.

The accident happened on a blackspot of the F3 on the New South Wales central coast.

In handing down his inquest findings today, deputy state coroner Hugh Dillon said police speed checks on foot are extremely dangerous and that should have ben recognised by management well before the accident.

Thirteen recommendations have been made including the elimination of speeding operations by police on foot on multi lane roads, where the limit is greater than 80 kilometres an hour.

 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-25/coroner-recommends-overhaul-of-police-radar-checks/1404376

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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 fiance 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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