On 20 October, 1991, Constable McNamara was taking part in a training run at the Goulburn Police Academy when he collapsed, suffering from heat stroke. At the time he was undertaking the Patrol Support Element Course. He was initially conveyed to the Goulburn Base Hospital however due to his deteriorating condition he was transferred to Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital the following day. He died eleven days later of multiple organ failure caused by muscle meltdown.
The constable was born in 1967 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 March, 1986. At the time of his death he was attached to the North West Region Major Crime Squad.
His father was Det Sgt Bob McNamara. ( I have a photo of Bob )
Leonard Graham DEAN
| 27/10/2012
Leonard Graham DEAN
aka Len
Brother of Stan W. Dean ( Kogarah Dets ) – NSWPF # ?????
Late of Queanbeyan, NSW
Academy Class 144
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 16646
Rank: Commenced Training, at the Academy, Monday 23 September 1974
Probationary Constable – appointed 4 November 1974
Constable – appointed 4 November 1975
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 4 November 1983
Detective Sergeant – death
Stations: ?, Central ( 1970’s ), Queanbeyan Detective – death
Service: Frompre November 1974 to 29 May 1991=16+years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 November 1991 – Posthumously
Born: Thursday 15 October 1953
Died on: Wednesday 29 May 1991 whilst playing in the Golden Oldies Rugby tournament, Perth, W.A.
Age: 37yrs 7mths 14days
Cause: Heart failure of the mitral valve
Event location: Perth, W.A.
Event date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
Touch plate for Leonard Graham DEAN at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
LEONARDis mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Detective Sergeant Lenny Dean passed away in Perth on 29 May, 1991 as a result of a rupture in his mitral heart valve. It was later determined that the medical condition was a result of the sergeant’s stressful policing career.
The sergeant was born in 1953 and commenced training with the New South Wales Police Force on 23 September, 1974. At the time of his death he was stationed at Queanbeyan.
DEAN
Leonard Graham
Funeral notice
29MAY1991
Death
37
at Perth
Northern Star (Lismore)
31MAY1991
DEAN
Leonard Graham
Death notice
29MAY1991
Death
37
at Perth
Canberra Times
31MAY1991
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Friday 12 October 1990, page 4
COURTS and THE LAW
Papers, TV stations fined $670,000 for contempt of court
SYDNEY: Five media organisations were fined a total of $670,000 by the Court of Appeal yesterday for contempt of court.
The fines related to reports of the arrest of Paul Gerald Mason and his confession in July last year to three pickaxe murders and an attempted murder.
The court found that the reports were likely to, or had a tendency to, interfere with a fair trial. Fines imposed were:
ATN Channel 7 (including rebroadcast through Prime Television ); $200,000.
TCN Channel 9 (including rebroadcast through WIN): $75,000.
TEN Channel 10: $75,000.
Nationwide News: (in The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror of July 31): $200,000. ABC: $120,000.
Detective Senior Constable Leonard Graham Dean, who answered questions at a news conference held outside Queanbeyan police station after Mason’s arrest, was also found guilty of contempt.
No fine was imposed on Dean, but he was ordered to pay the NSW Attorney-General’s costs of bringing the prosecution, as were all the other defendants.
Mason, 27, was arrested after surrendering to police on July 29, 1989, and was later charged with the murders of Ruth Ferguson, 25, and her eight-month-old son, Mark, on July 27, 1989, near Eden. Mason was also charged with the murder of Mary Alice Clark, 29, at Gearys Gap, near Canberra, on May 12, 1989, and the attempted murder of her one-year-old son, Samuel, on the same day. On September 11, he hanged himself in his Goulburn jail cell.
The judges said the publication of obviously prejudicial material would, unless emphatically punished, reduce community belief in the capacity of the courts to maintain standards of fairness in trials.
The report in The Daily Telegraph had followed “an embarrassing mistake” by an experienced solicitor, who advised that the report would not be in contempt of court. The position was different with the Daily Mirror report, which was published “simply in reckless pursuit of a good story, and sales”.
The judges said Channel 7’s concern was for the risk to which it was exposed, not for the damage done by the broadcast.
There had been no explanation from the ABC as to how its offending broadcast came to be made. The judges inferred that the persons involved knew there was a risk of contempt and were prepared to run that risk.
The judges assumed the imposition of a fine would have a deterrent effect on the corporation, even though no individual was directly affected financially.
In relation to Channel 10, the judges were “not persuaded that the financial information put before us should have any effect on the outcome of the matter”. The channel was not in liquidation and was carrying on business.
Referring to Dean‘s statement to reporters that Mason had admitted to three murders, the judges said it would be unfair to punish him for defects in the way the police organised media relations.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Friday 3 August 1990, page 13
Station admits contempt
SYDNEY: Channel Ten admitted yesterday it was in contempt of court over reporting of events following the surrender last year of alleged pickaxe murderer, Paul Gerald Mason.
The NSW Attorney-General, John Dowd, summonsed the station, alleging its news report of July 31, 1989, could have prejudiced a fair trial.
A videotape of the report named Mason and showed him accompanying police to the scene of his alleged crimes.
Bruce James, QC, for the Attorney-General, said he accepted there were extenuating circumstances in relation to the Channel Ten report.
The station had a system of legal checks in place, but it had broken down on this occasion.
On Tuesday the court reserved its decision on the penalty to be imposed on the ABC, which pleaded guilty to contempt over a similar report.
Judgment was also reserved yesterday on whether Channel 9 is guilty of contempt over its report of the same events. The station has denied its report could prejudice a trial.
Channel 7, Nationwide News Pty Ltd and a police officer, Detective Constable Leonard Graham Dean, have yet to come before the court on similar summonses.
Mason, 27, of Riverstone in Sydney’s west, surrendered to police on July 29, 1989, after the ABC telecast an appeal by his father.
He was charged in Queanbeyan Local Court with the murders of Ruth Ferguson, 25, and her eight-month-old son, Mark, on July 27,1989, at their Pambula Beach home.
Mrs Ferguson had been battered with a pickaxe and her son strangled with a cord.
Mason was also charged with the pickaxe murder of Mary Alice Clark, 29, at Geary’s Gap, near Canberra, on May 12, 1989, and the at tempted murder of her one year-old son Samuel. Mason hanged himself in Goulburn jail on September 11.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Wednesday 8 May 1985, page 8
Bond for union official over assault on shearer
A union official who assaulted a shearer on a property near Yass during the shearers’ dispute last year was fined and released on a bond yesterday.
Mr Noel James Ashton, 33, of Murrumburrah, pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court in Yass to assaulting Mr Wayne Lawrence on May 10, 1984, occasioning actual bodily harm.
Detective Senior Constable Leonard Dean, of Queanbeyan police, told the court that police were talking to other people about related assaults and a second man had surrendered to police on Monday and admitted assaulting the property owner.
Mr Ashton, secretary of the Harden branch of the Australian Workers’ Union, said he worked from time to time as a wool-presser in district shearing sheds.
He had been in a delegation of AWU members from all over NSW which had travelled to Canberra on May 10. The delegation had sought ministerial agreement to a proposal that New Zealand shearers, who had been taking work away from AWU members, should have visas before they could work in Australia.
The delegation had not been successful and had been “pushed from one Minister to another”.
Mr Ashton said that he, another man and Mr Bill Sinclair, an AWU organiser, had stopped at the property on their way back from Canberra.
Mr Sinclair had gone into the shear ing shed and spoken to the shearers. He had returned soon after and announced that the shearers were using wide combs, were non-unionists, had refused to join the union and were working illegally.
Mr Ashton said he went into the shed where there was “a bit of pushing and a lot of harsh words”.
When he and about 15 others had left the shed, someone had called out that “a blue” had started and the men had returned. Mr Ashton said he punched Mr Lawrence in the face several times.
When the men had left the property, they had agreed to deny ever having been there if asked. Mr Ashton said he had done this when asked by police about the incident two weeks later.
Feelings had been running high over the wide-comb issue at the time and families had split because of it.
His branch of the AWU was trying to get harmony back into the shearing sheds.
Judge McGuire said that normally he would jail a person for such an offence. However, Mr Ashton had pleaded guilty, saving the community thousands of dollars in legal costs, and had frankly admitted his role in the incident without trying to lay the blame on anyone else.
He deferred passing sentence, released Mr Ashton on a $1,000, three year good-behaviour bond and fined him $500.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Saturday 14 July 1984, page 12
Bungendore committal hearing ends
Five for trial on alleged kidnap counts, two freed
Five men charged over the alleged kidnapping of a Bungendore couple were committed for trial at the conclusion yesterday of a 10-day committal hearing in Canberra Petty Sessions.
The men were among seven people charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Mr Stephen John Harrison and Ms Heidi Maree Van Leeuwen in February.
Two other defendants were discharged after the Acting Chief Magistrate, Mr Dobson. ruled there was insufficient evidence to find prima facie cases against them.
All charges related to the alleged kidnapping of Ms Van Leeuwen were dismissed after Mr Dobson said he was not satisfied that her detention had been to anyone’s advantage.
One of the five men committed to the ACT Supreme Court, Mr David Graeme Hudson, was refused bail pending his trial after the prosecutor. Mr Wayne Roser, told the court that Mr Hudson had made threats against police and one of the accused.
The five men committed are: Mr Hudson, 25, of Crofts Crescent, Spence; Mr Pasca Ganitis, 32, of Unanderra. Wollongong; Mr Stephen Leonard Jones, 24, formerly of Weetangera; Mr Shane Frederick Raftery, 23, of Belconnen Way, Weetangera; and Mr John Desmond Keenan, 21, formerly of Holder.
Mr Dobson found a prima facie case against each on charges of kidnapping Mr Stephen John Harrison between February 10 and 15. But he discharged Mr Hudson, Mr Ganitis, Mr Jones and Mr Keenan on charges of kidnapping Ms Heidi Maree Van Leeuwen between the same dates. Mr Raftery was not charged with this offence.
All five men then entered pleas of not guilty and reserved their defences.
Mr Dobson discharged also Mr Christian Klug, 22, of Dexter Street, Cook, who had been charged with aiding and abetting Mr Hudson in kidnapping Mr Harrison, and Ms Debbie Lee Towse, 26, of Crofts Crescent, Spence, who had been charged with being knowingly concerned in the kidnapping of Ms Van Leeuwen by Mr Hudson.
Mr Dobson said he was satisfied that Mr Klug had been involved in the offences but in a peripheral way only. Mr Klug had been “skating on thin ice” and had brought the proceedings on himself.
But the peripheral nature of his involvement did not justify the waste of public money involved in putting him on trial and he ordered that Mr Klug be discharged. Mr Dobson refused to make the order for costs in Mr Klug’s favour sought by his counsel, Mr Ben Salmon.
Mr Dobson said he had no doubt that Ms Towse had been present during part of the incident and had known that Mr Harrison was being detained. She had known also that Ms Van Leeuwen was being detained and had been with her some of the time. But mere presence was not enough.
In addition, there was insufficient evidence that the detaining of Ms Van Leeuwen had been for the advantage of Mr Hudson (an element of the charges laid) and he ordered that Ms Towse be discharged.
At the request of her counsel, Mr John Purnell, he ordered police to pay Ms Towse’s costs of $250.
In opposing bail for Mr Hudson, pending his trial, Mr Roser drew the court’s attention to the seriousness of the offences, the threats made to police that had been revealed in tape recordings played to the court on Thursday, a threat made to Mr Jones during the proceedings, and the fear of reprisals held by the victims of the alleged kidnappings.
Mr Dobson refused bail for Mr Hudson but released the other four men on bail of $5,000, with similar sureties, and ordered them to report to police weekly and not approach any witness connected with the case.
Earlier, Detective Senior Constable Leonard Dean, of Queanbeyan, told Mr Roser he had spoken to Mr Ganitis at the Civic Police Station on February 14. Mr Ganitis had told him that he had gone to Mr Harrison’s house in Bungendore with Mr Hudson and a man called Steve on February 10.
While there, Mr Hudson had asked Mr Harrison for drugs. Mr Harrison had told him of the location of some and about 25 grams of “speed”, in one-gram packets, had been found in the back yard. Ms Van Leeuwen had also produced a quantity of marijuana.
Mr Harrison had later been taken to a house in Belconnen and assaulted. He [ Mr Harrison] had said that he and two other men had been involved in the firing of shots at Mr Hudson’s house on an earlier date. Senior Constable Dean said.
During a signed record of interview, Mr Ganitis had denied that any weapons had been produced at Mr Harrison’s home. He had allegedly said that Mr Hudson had said he had a gun but had been bluffing.
Mr Harrison had been tied up at Steve’s house but when he had gone to Mr Hudson’s he had had “the run of the joint”.
Mr Ganitis had said he had made sure that no-one had touched Ms Van Leeuwen “by telling everyone to leave her alone, mainly David”.
Service: From 26 June 1978 to 17 December 1990 = 12+ years Service
Born: 1954
Died: 17 December 1990
Age: 35 – 36
Cause: Illness – Suicide – firearm
Location of event: ?
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Grave location: ?
CANBERRA – NATIONAL POLICE WALL OF REMEMBRANCE TOUCH PLATE. NSWPF SUICIDE THAT ” IS ” MENTIONED ON THE POLICE WALL OF REMEMBRANCE.
[alert_green]Peter IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Constable Tickle was a member of the Police Tactical Response Group and following a barrage of ill-informed and inaccurate media attacks on the squad he tragically took his own life on 17 December, 1990.
The constable was born in 1954 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 June, 1978. At the time of his death he was attached to the Tactical Response Group.
Full name is ‘possibly‘ Peter WAYNE Tickle.
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There are many on this site that served with SenCon Peter Tickle in the TRG. Peter was an excellent copper who was totally dedicated to the job and his workmates. I can’t even begin to count the number of times he went through doors with a shotgun in his hands or was involved in riots at Bathurst, our States Gaols etc. He was one of the bravest coppers I ever worked with and you could always count on him having your back no matter what the odds. It was because of this dedication to his mates that drove him to suicide. TRG were under heavy pressure from Pollies, The Bosses and the Media after the Darren Brennan shooting. Peter was asked to attend a school to show the kids some Police equipment. ONE parent complained to the Media that he had allowed ‘innocent’ little children to play with a fully loaded shotgun (the shotgun was innocuous and unloaded) but the Media had a field day. Peter came under extreme pressure from management and felt that he had brought more pressure on the Group and had seriously let his workmates down. He believed that because of this TRG would be disbanded. His dedication to his mates and the Group was overwhelming and he took his own life. Does the act of doing this wipe out all the brave and excellent work he did as a copper ? Does his service and dedication deserve to be commemorated ? I believe it does.
Friday 21 August 2015 – Barry Lewis
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David Ian OAKLEY
| 27/10/2012
David Ian OAKLEY
Late of ?
NSW Police Academy Class 204
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 21572[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 14 September 1984
Constable – appointed 14 September 1985
Detective Course # 21 ( 22 January 1990 – 02 March 1990 )
Detective Constable 1st Class – death
Stations: ?, Wagga Wagga, Chatswood – Death
Service: From? ? pre September 1984? to 14 August 1990= 5+years Service
On 18 December, 1988 Constable Oakley was at the Wagga Base Hospital where he was involved in restraining a berserk offender.
During the struggle the constable was kicked in the face, causing injuries and swelling to his mouth, face and jaw.
When the swelling did not fully subside he was diagnosed as suffering from metastatic melanoma and was required to undergo surgery.
It was found that the condition had been aggravated by the injuries received on 18 December, 1988.
Although he later returned to full duties Constable Oakley died on 14 August, 1990.
The constable was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September, 1984. At the time of his death he was stationed at Chatswood.
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Detective Course # 21. 22 January 1990 – 2 March 1990
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Kenneth John SHORT
| 27/10/2012
Kenneth John SHORT
aka Shorty & John
New South Wales Police Force
Academy Class 211
ProCst # 96609
Regd. # 22101
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday ? ? 1985?
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 21 June 1985 ( aged 22 years, 11 months, 2 days )
Service: From 9 April 1985 to 11 July 1990 = 5+ years Service
Awards: Nil
Born: Thursday 19 July 1962
Died on: Wednesday 11 July 1990
Cause: Motor Vehicle Collision – On Duty – front passenger ( raining )
Event location: Old Princes Hwy & Old Bush Rd, Yarrawarra, NSW
Age: 27 years, 11 months, 22 days
Funeral date: Monday 16 July 1990
Funeral location: St John Bosco Catholic Church, Engadine
Buried at: Woronora Memorial Park, Linden St, Sutherland
General Plaque Lawn
Section: Wattle Lawn Lot: 19
Lat/Lng: -34.03618, 151.04945
KEN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
About 9.30am on 11 July, 1990 Constable Short was the observer in a police vehicle travelling along the Old Princes Highway, Yarrawarra. The police were attending an armed holdup at the ANZ Bank, Jannali and when approaching the intersection of Old Bush Road the police vehicle veered across the roadway and collided head-on with another car. Constable Short was killed instantly.
There was also a Student Police Officer ( S.P.O. ) in the back seat of the Police vehicle at the time of the collision.
The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 April, 1985. He was sworn in on Friday 21 June, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Engadine.
On the day of his funeral, the procession drove past Engadine Police Station – travelling between the Church Service and the Cemetery.
Before he joined ” the job “, Ken was shot by an unknown assailant at George’s Hall @ 1983. That incident was attended by Greg McMahon with Sgt 1/c Alec Morton. Shot in a very private part and very lucky to have not suffered a lasting injury.
RIP Ken.
Grant Charles EASTES
| 27/10/2012
Grant Charles EASTES
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 18467
Joined via NSW Police Cadets on 4 July 1977
Cadet # 3345
Class 161 of 1978
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – started 4 July 1977
Probationary Constable – appointed 9 February 1979
Service: From 4 July 1977 to 13 January 1990 = 12+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Tuesday 9 February 1960
Died: Saturday 13 January 1990
Age: 29 yrs 11 mths 4 days
Cause: Illness – Suicide – overdose – P.T.S.D.
at Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Qld
Funeral date:?
Funeral location:
Buried at: Casino Lawn Cemetery
Memorial location:
Grant IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Senior Constable Grant Charles EASTES – Grave. Casino Lawn Cemetery, NSW.
Senior Constable Grant Charles EASTES touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
On 13 January, 1990 Senior Constable Eastes took his own life in a Brisbane Motel. On 20 October, 1989 he had been one of the first police to arrive on the scene of the horrific bus crash upon the Pacific Hwy, Cowper, ( commonly referred to as the Grafton bus crash ) in which twenty one people died and twenty two more were injured. At the time it was the worst road accident in Australia’s history. Following the accident the senior constable reported off duty on sick report, suffering from Acute Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome.
The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet on the 4 July, 1977. At the time of his death he was attached to the Lismore District Accident Investigation Squad.
[blockquote]It was during that time that I had a lengthy conversation with a highway patrol officer, Grant Eastes. I could sense that this man was in quite a bad way, finding it hard to cope. It was just his attitude, what he was saying, how he expressed how he was feeling. As we talked he brought up all these other incidents on the highway that he’d attended in recent months. I was so concerned that I mentioned the conversation to some senior police officers and later, Major Errol Woodbury, who was one of the State’s senior police chaplains at the time.[/blockquote]
A postscript to the Grafton tragedy. Three months after the accident, 29 year old Senior Constable Grant Eastes, the officer I was so concerned about on the night of the tragedy, was found dead in a motel room in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley. He’d taken an overdose of pills.
Grant’s father Ken told journalists his son’s life had been destroyed by the sight of the dead and injured at the Grafton bus crash scene.
I’m afraid to say his suicide didn’t surprise me. Here was a crash investigation officer who had witnessed a real slathering of fatal accidents up and down that highway. The bus crash was the catalyst for his suicide. It was just too much.
About 11.25pm on 13 June, 1989 police in Byron Bay commenced a high speed pursuit of a panel van. The pursued vehicle drove south in the Coast Road, followed by the Byron Bay Police vehicle, and into Ballina. As both vehicles continued south through Ballina, a local Highway Patrol vehicle driven by Constable 1st Class P. Beaver ( # 20992 ), with Senior Constable Rampling and Constable 1st Class Figtree as passengers, joined the pursuit. More police vehicles arrived to assist as the pursuit continued through the township of Wardell. About five kilometres south of Wardell the Ballina Highway Patrol vehicle began to draw level with the offending vehicle. As it did so, the driver of the pursued vehicle drove across to the centre of the roadway and clipped the front of the Byron Bay Police car. As a result, the police vehicle veered across the road and skidded in loose gravel before colliding with a power pole.
All three police were trapped for some time in the badly damaged police car and when freed were conveyed by ambulance to the Lismore Base Hospital. Constable Beaver recovered from internal injuries received, however Constable Figtree died before he reached hospital and Senior Constable Rampling died a short time later.
Senior Constable Rampling was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 January, 1979. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Detectives. Constable Figtree was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 November, 1983. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Highway Patrol. Beyond CourageGlenn, whilst working with the Mounted Police Unit, would often work traffic duty on Anzac Pde, Kensington. He is described as a Champion boxer ( Australian Police Boxing Champion ) & athlete, the funniest guy, a loyal mate & great husband & Dad.*****
Gezza J KtBelieve it or not, I was working the radio comms for this at Lismore station that night. Called the whole thing & did all the post crash co-ord. A horrible night shift with Sgt GJ Menzies, S/C Mark Burridge, Const’s Jordan, Gahan & Me.
*****
30 year memorial – Senior Constable Glenn Rampling – Constable First Class Peter Figtree – A memorial service will be held at the Ballina Surf Club, Lighthouse Parade, Ballina on Thursday, 13 June 2019 at 1000hr to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Senior Constable Glenn Donald Rampling and Constable 1st Class Peter Allen Figtree.
Senior Constable Rampling was tragically killed on duty on 14 June 1989 and Constable 1st Class Figtree was tragically killed on duty on 13 June 1989, both as a result of motor vehicle collision at Wardell, south of Ballina.
Attended this morning quite a moving 30 year memorial service for Glenn Rampling and Peter Figtree killed in a car chase near Ballina. May they rest in peace.
Photo by: Glenn Taylor
Photo by: Glenn Taylor
Photo from: Beyond Courage
Photo: Ken Medway – 2014
Both Wayne Rixon and Glenn Rampling formed part of a 3 man team at the Mounties, going around mainly to country fairs performing vault tricks with the draft horse. Tragically both lost their lives in High Speed pursuits after leaving the Mounties for other duties. RIP, both were good men.
Commissioners Valour Award ( VA ) ( Posthumously )
Born: Friday 1 June 1962
Died On: Friday 5 May 1989
Event: Shot – wounded – Murdered
Event location: Woolloomooloo
Event Date: 24 April 1989
Died: 5 May 1989 ( 9 days after event )
Cause: Murdered – shot twice
Age: 26 yrs 11 mths 4 days
Funeral date: 9 May 1989
Funeral location: St Mary’s Anglican Church
Buried at: Cremated. East Ballina Cemetery, McQueen Family Wall, Sec: Niche, Lot # 2
GPS: 28*51’47″S / 153*35’26″E
Memorial: 1/ Yurong Parkway, Phillip Park , Sydney, 2000
GPS: Lat: -33.872583 / Long: 151.213778
2/ Sydney Police Centre, McQueen Room, 151 – 241 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills.
3/ Police Launch McQueen???.
Allan’s touch plate was polished today, this 27th anniversary, 5 May 2016, by a mate, Craig Coleman, at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
ALLAN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
On the morning of 24 April, 1989 Constable McQueen, Constable 1st Class Ross Judd and Probationary Constable Jason Donnelly were patrolling the Woolloomooloo area. All were members of the District Anti-Theft Squad. About 11.35am they saw the offender Porter, apparently attempting to break into a motor vehicle. While Constable Judd parked the police vehicle, Constables McQueen and Donnelly went to speak to the offender. As he was being detained, the offender produced a concealed weapon and shot Constable McQueen twice in the chest and Constable Donnelly in the abdomen. Both constables then chased the offender, who continued firing at them, until both collapsed from their wounds. Constable Ross Judd also pursued and fired at the offender before returning to assist his colleagues. He then carried both wounded constables to the police car and drove them to the Sydney Hospital.
Constable Donnelly was to recover from his wounds however Constable McQueen had sustained extensive internal injuries and died on 5 May, 1989. The offender was later arrested by Queensland Police.
The Canberra Times of 12 July, 1990 reported on the result of the trial of the offender.
CONVICTION IN POLICE DEATH SYDNEY:John Albert Edward Porter has been found guilty of the murder last year of Sydney police constable Allan McQueen. A Supreme Court jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours before finding Porter, 28, guilty of shooting the policeman on April 24 last year. Porter was remanded in custody for sentencing on August 3. The jury also found Porter guilty on one count of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three counts of shooting to avoid arrest. He was found not guilty on a sixth charge of attempting to murder Constable Jason Donnelly.
Justice Badgery-Parker had directed the jury to find Porter not guilty on the charge of attempting to murder Constable Donnelly. Porter had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Friends and relatives of Constable McQueen sat comforting each other in the public gallery as the verdict was returned. Constable McQueen, 26, died in St Vincent’s Hospital nine days after the April 24 shooting.
The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 June, 1987. At the time of his death he was attached to the Sydney District Anti-Theft Squad. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour and the Star of Courage.
Date: 24 August 1989. Memorial unveiled on corner of Haig Ave & Boomerang St, sydney.
November 2013
Constable Allan Wayne McQueen
Constable Allan Wayne McQueen : November 2013
Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams
Memorial erected in memory of Constable Allan James McQueen who was shot in the line of duty and died from his injuries on the 5th May 1989.
On the morning of 24 April 1989, Constable McQueen, Constable 1st Class Ross Judd (MV, BM ), and Probationary Constable Jason Donnelly (MV, BM ) were patrolling the Woolloomooloo area. All were members of the District Anti-Theft Squad. About 11.35am they saw the offender Porter apparently attempting to break into a motor vehicle. While Constable Judd parked the Police vehicle Constables McQueen and Donnelly went to speak to the offender. As he was being detained the offender produced a concealed weapon and shot Constable McQueen twice in the chest and Constable Donnelly in the abdomen. Both Constables then chased the offender who continued firing at them until both collapsed from their wounds. Constable Ross Judd also pursued and fired at the offender before returning to assist his colleagues. He then carried both wounded Constables to the Police car and drove them to the Sydney Hospital. Constable Donnelly was to recover from his wounds however Constable McQueen had sustained extensive internal injuries and died on 5 May 1989. The offender was later arrested by Queensland Police.
Front Inscription
IN MEMORY OF
CONSTABLE
ALLAN WAYNE McQUEEN S.C.,V.A.
AGED 26 YEARS
DIED 5TH MAY 1989 FROM
GUNSHOT WOUNDS RECEIVED
IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS
DUTY AT THIS LOCATION
ON THE 24TH APRIL 1989
Location
Address:
Yurong Parkway, Phillip Park , Sydney, 2000
State:
NSW
Area:
AUS
GPS Coordinates:
Lat: -33.872583
Long: 151.213778 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
By LINDSAY SIMPSON ” Chief Police Reporter As one of “Big Al’s” best mates read a moving eulogy, burly police officers, hats in hands, bowed their heads and cried. Big Al was Constable Allan Wayne McQueen, the well-mannered policeman from Kyogle who died in the line of duty, shot trying to apprehend a suspected car thief in Sydney.
Constable McQueen, who had been in the force two years, had been picked to work with the Anti-theft Squad a training ground for young officers on their way to becoming detectives. Big Al, who spent three years trying to become a police officer, was known by that name “not so much because of his height but because of his heart”, said Cheryl Coleman, whose husband had shared a house with Constable McQueen in Coffs Harbour.
As Senior Constable Steve Tedder, who gave one of the eulogies said, “Big Al had the basic love and desire to become a police officer”. In 1986, while running his own cleaning business in Coffs Harbour, he built his own house and several local police officers became his flatmates. At that stage he had five jobs and was studying at night for his HSC English in an attempt to become a police officer. About this time, before he was even in the force, he saved a man’s life. The man had quarrelled with his girlfriend outside a local night club and had head-butted a pane of glass. The glass had cut his throat and Al tore his shirt off and stemmed the flow of blood while waiting for the ambulance.
Big Al. who trained as a boxer and played Rugby League, was not always the muscle builder he was at the time he joined the force. His former Rugby League coach at Kyogle High School, Mr Stan McBride, said that in the 14-year-old competition he had been the second smallest kid in the group.
Ballina townspeople also came to the funeral service. One local, Mrs Val Studdert, said she had never met Allan McQueen but had come out of respect for what he had done. “If we don’t have law and order, we have nothing,” she said.
The pallbearers wore pistols. Perhaps that’s the way it has to be these days, but they touched the pretty white wooden church in the green countryside with vulgarity. They were big, strong young men and their bulky police uniforms made them bigger, so that when they came to the narrow church door carrying their mate’s coffin, they could barely squeeze through. In any case, the coffin seemed too narrow for a young man as big as Allan McQueen.
Nearly 300 police went to his funeral in Ballina yesterday along with his mother and father, Mr John and Mrs Shirley McQueen, and 300 family and friends. They spilled out of St Mary’s Anglican Church into a church hall, where the service was shown on video, and out of the hall on to the grass, where they listened through loudspeakers.
If we are to still violence, we must cherish life. Yesterday, 26-year-old Allan McQueen’s life was cherished. Today, others will cherish the life of 32-year-old David Gundy, the unarmed man killed in a police raid following Constable McQueen’s mortal wounding. Spring had sung in both men for only a while before life escaped them in violence. Senior Constable Graham White told the mourners that Allan McQueen had been a man of honour, love and integrity and a man whose word could be relied upon. He did not search for riches but for life itself, said Constable White. “Today he would be saying, ‘Let’s get on with it. Let’s not have all this fuss and bother’.”
Detective Senior Constable Steve Tedder said that the day McQueen received the letter of his acceptance into the force, “his face lit up as if Manhattan had lit up”.’ Constable Tedder lived with Constable McQueen in Manly and called his mate “Big Al”. “What a joy he was to live with,” he said. Constable McQueen had made more friends in 18 months in Manly than Constable Tedder had in 28 years.
Colleagues of slain policeman Allan McQueen weep as he is laid to rest in Ballina yesterday. One of his favourite expressions was: “Not a problem“. Another was: “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” Constable Tedder said it was somehow appropriate that Allan McQueen began his long battle for life on April 24, the day before Anzac Day. That was the day Allan McQueen became a hero. Police Commissioner John Avery said Constable McQueen had exhibited the qualities of a police leader of the future. “His father said it was a waste of a fine young life, and I agree,” said the Commissioner. “His was an unforgettable example of courageous service that will enshrine his name in the annals of the history of NSW.” Mr Avery quoted Virgil: “Blessings on your young courage, boy, for that is the way to the stars.”
Outside the church, a senior policeman said: “There’s a finality to heroism.” Mr Athol McQueen, a cousin and the boxer who knocked down champion Joe Frazier in the 1964 Olympic Games, said: “I hope there are more young blokes around like him.”
” The police band played a funeral march for their colleague, past Sunnyhaven Flats. The open-faced country folk let the tears run down their cheeks. As the cortege passed a place called Camelot, on the way to the Lismore Crematorium and another place called Goonellabah, an old woman stood at the roadside and said : “Poor little fellow.” At the crematorium flowers spelled out the letters NSWP -New South Wales Police on the hillside.
A young policeman picked up a rose and handed it to a young woman. , ‘ Mr John McQueen wipes away a tear as he stands with his wife Shirley at their son’s funeral.
Probationary Constable – appointed 17 January 1986
Constable – appointed 17 January 1987
Final Rank: Constable
Service: From28 October 1985to29 April 1989 = 3+ years Service
Stations: ? ,Balmain ( 8 Division ) – death
Awards: ? nil find on It’s An Honour
Born: Monday 25 April 1960
Event date: Thursday 27 April 1989
Event location: Booth St & Jonston St, Annandale, NSW
Event type: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Caged vehicle – Urgent Duty ( Passenger: Cst Andrew Mortimer )
Died: Saturday 29 April 1989
Age: 29 yrs 4 days ( 4 days into his 29th year )
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland
Buried at: Cremated;
Ashes – Wall of Memories, Panel 30, GG, 0256
John Irving BURGESS
Constable John Irving BURGESS – Touch plate at National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
JOHN IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance but the DATE is INCORRECT
Should read 29 April 1989
About 2.25am on 27 April, 1989 Constable Burgess was driving a caged police vehicle in Booth Street, Annandale. Constable Andrew Mortimer was observer in the vehicle and they were responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad police. At the intersection of Johnston Street, the police vehicle collided with a semi trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died two days later ( on the 29 April ) at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when life support systems were turned off.
The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 October, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.
The Canberra Times
Monday 1 May 1989 page 3 of 36
Policeman dies
SYDNEY: A policeman who received severe injuries in a collision involving a police paddy wagon last Thursday died late on Saturday.
Constable John Burgess, 29, received head and chest injuries in the accident between the paddy wagon and a refrigeration truck at Annandale in Sydney’s inner-west, shortly before 2am.
Yesterday I attended Balmain Town Hall for the 30-year memorial service of the tragic death of Constable John Burgess on the 27 April 1989 whom died whilst on duty responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad Police.
At the intersection of Johnston Street, Annandale the police vehicle he was driving collided with a semi-trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died about twelve hours later at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
John was one of life’s true gentlemen and one of the nicest blokes I ever had the privilege of knowing. He was an excellent Police Officer, compassionate, empathetic and always willing to help. I’m proud to have called him a mate.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen my old 8 Division buddies and whilst under sad circumstances it was great to see Paul Winfield, Don Stuart, Sean Hampstead and Ron Page and share a few laughs about our time working together in the late ‘80’s.
It was also great to see Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson, a friend who gave a very moving and emotional speech about his friendship with John and how missed he is. It was refreshing to hear such a senior officer in the NSW Police share such personal reflections about a fellow officer.
It was a tragic time for Policing back then as a week earlier we also lost Constable Alan McQueen fatally shot whilst on duty. We have lost many other Officers before and after that time confirming how dangerous a job it is.
Whilst I was only in the Police from ‘85-‘90 I still feel a part of the thin blue line brotherhood and yesterday confirmed how friendships forged 30 years ago endure the test of time.
RIP John Burgess. ❤️
Andrew James MURRAY
| 27/10/2012
Andrew James MURRAY
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable 1st Class
Stations: ?, Tabulam – Death
Service: From 20 July 1981to 23 March 1989= 7+years Service
Awards: Commissioners Valour Award ( posthumously )
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1962
Died on: Thursday 23 March 1989
Age: 26
Cause: Drowned during an Off Duty rescue attempt
Event location: Tallows Beach, Byron Bay, NSW
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: St Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Byron Bay, NSW
Memorial at: ?
[alert_green]ANDREW 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.
On 23 March, 1989 Constable Murray and his family were holidaying at Byron Bay. About 3.05pm on that day they were at Tallows Beach when the constable saw a young woman in distress in the water. He then took his surf ski and paddled out through a rough, two metre swell to assist. The girl’s boyfriend at this time also entered the water and managed to help her to safety. Constable Murray had at this time unfortunately been tipped off his surf ski and was seen with an arm raised, indicating that he was having difficulties. He was again spotted a short time later floating about fifty metres out, on the surface. Despite an extensive search the constable was not seen again. It is thought that he may have been struck on the head by the ski when tipped off it, or perhaps injured when dumped in the heavy seas.
The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 July, 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Tabulam.
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Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Sunday 26 March 1989, page 2
Police scale down sea search
SYDNEY: Police and rescue workers scaled down the search yesterday for Andrew James Murray, 26, a young police man who disappeared in rough surf on Thursday at Byron Bay, on the Far North Coast.
Off-duty Constable Murray, of Tabulam police station, was swept out to sea after going to the rescue of a swimmer in trouble about 3pm.
Constable Murray paddled over to the distressed swimmer but was knocked off his surf ski by a wave.
He was caught in a strong rip and dragged out to sea.
The swimmer managed to struggle back to shore and alerted emergency services.
A police spokeswoman said today that there was little hope of finding the constable alive and the search was being scaled down.
