Police mourn death of former cop Detective Sergeant Ian Tuffield
Posted onSeptember 13, 2012byvaiseyj| Comments Off on Police mourn death of former cop Detective Sergeant Ian Tuffield
The Courier Mail Alison Sandy September 12, 2012
QUEENSLAND police officers are mourning the death of former Detective Senior-Sergeant Ian Tuffield whose body was discovered by an ex-colleague yesterday afternoon…Mr Tuffield’s body was discovered at his home in Brisbane on Tuesday by one of his best mates – another former police officer – after he’d been uncontactable for several days.
In Loving Memory of our Dad Ian Francis Tuffield 29.1.1961 ~ 11.9.2012
Though his smile is gone forever, And his hand we cannot touch, We will have so many memories of a Dad we loved so much, His memory is our keepsake With which we’ll never part, God has him in his keeping We have him in our hearts. Love always,
On 22 April 2016, Gavin Cooper and The Brisbane Watchhouse Social Club will be holding the inaugural ‘Blue HOPE Charity Golf Day’ at Wynumm Golf Club in Brisbane. We are humbled by this incredibly kind gesture and our profuse thanks go to Gavin and his team for their hard work and fund raising efforts thus far.
Today though, we are extremely proud to announce that teams competing on this day, will do so for the ‘Tuffy Cup’, a perpetual trophy bearing the name of one of Queenslands finest ever Detectives – Ian Tuffield, who tragically took his own life on 11 September 2012.
In many ways Tuffy truly epitomised not only what it is to be a Queensland Detective, but more importantly, what it is to be a Police Officer full stop. We feel truly privileged to be able to honour him if only in this small way.
For those interested, there are still playing spots available but they are selling out fast! Any queries can be made to Gavin on 0421 735755 or alternatively, via message to us here at Blue HOPE.
Ladies and Gents, On 22 April 2016, Gavin Cooper and The Brisbane Watchhouse Social Club will be holding the inaugural…
Neil wrote this song in the days following the death of colleague Olly Isaac. He hopes that this message will encourage anyone who might be struggling to reach out for help.
Written & performed by Neil Pynenburg
ISAAC, Olly
ISAAC, Olly
He wasn’t a good man He was a great man
Passed away on 16th March.
All who loved him are welcome to join his Family on Wednesday, 23rd March, at 10 a. m. , at the Broadwater Road Uniting Church, 481 Broadwater Road, Mansfield.
It is with heavy hearts that we report the death of a serving QPS member today. Our deepest condolences to family, friends and the entire Centenary Patrol Group in Brisbane. We understand that your friend and colleague was a highly valued and extremely well thought of member of your team.
To all directly involved, we cannot ease your pain but rest assured that our thoughts, and those of all your blue brothers and sisters nation wide are with you now…
Out of respect for friends and family, details at this point have been withheld. Should anyone need a little extra help right now, Blue HOPE stands ready…
For almost half a century, Don Ritchie would approach people contemplating suicide at the edge of The Gap, just 50 metres from his home in Watsons Bay, his palms facing up.
Mr Ritchie told his daughter Sue Ritchie Bereny he would smile and say: “Is there something I could do to help you?”
[blockquote]Don’s story touched the hearts of all Australians and challenged each of us to rethink what it means to be a good neighbour [/blockquote]
Don Ritchie Photo: Steve Baccon
“And that was all that was often needed to turn people around, and he would say not to underestimate the power of a kind word and a smile,” said Ms Ritchie Bereny.
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Mr Ritchie, sometimes known as the angel or watchman of The Gap, is acknowledged to have stopped about 160 people from jumping to their deaths.
He died at St Vincent’s Hospital on Sunday, surrounded by his wife Moya, 85, daughters Jan, Donna and Sue, and four grandchildren, who travelled from across Australia and from Indonesia to Sydney to see him. He was 85.
Mr Ritchie was born on June 9, 1926 in Vaucluse, and studied at Vaucluse Public School and Scots College.
When World War II broke out, he served in the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Hobart, and was on the ship in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered in 1945.
From his 30s to his 60s, Mr Ritchie worked for a multinational firm and built up a significant career in the corporate world, Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
Don Ritchie in navy uniform … “a smile that could light up the room.”
In 1964, the former life insurance salesman moved into a house on Old South Head Road across the road from Jacobs Ladder at the southern end of the Gap Park. It was his home till the end.
From that time, Mr Ritchie started to rescue suicidal strangers.
“Things were different way back then. It was before there were police rescue vans, before there were more sophisticated mechanisms like hotlines. In those days, he got a bravery medal for saving somebody at the cliff – he actually tackled somebody on the edge of the cliff,” Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
“He is famous for bringing people back to the house for tea or breakfast.”
In 2006 Mr Ritchie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his rescues.
His actions touched so many hearts that, in 2010, he and his wife were named Woollahra Council’s citizens of the year.
Last year, he was given the Local Hero Award for Australia by the National Australia Day Council.
“In a situation where most would turn a blind eye, Don has taken action … With such simple actions Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives,” the National Australia Day Council said.
Today, Woollahra Council and the National Australia Day Council praised Mr Ritchie for his dedication.
“Don’s story touched the hearts of all Australians and challenged each of us to rethink what it means to be a good neighbour,” the acting chief executive of the National Australia Day Council, Tam Johnston, said in a statement.
“Don was a true gentleman with a smile that could light up the room.”
The mayor of Woollahra, Susan Wynne, called Mr Ritchie a great man whose “courage delivered small miracles”.
Mr Ritchie had joined mental health advisers and the federal Liberal member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull in supporting the funding of suicide prevention measures at The Gap.
Mr Turnbull also praised Mr Ritchie.
“His work lives on forever not just in the lives of those he saved but in his heroism and example of public service,” he said in a statement.
Ms Ritchie Bereny said her father was the best role model she could think of for her son.
“When the school that my grandson goes to asked me for input about what sort of child they might produce, I used him as a role model because there are lots of strong people in the world – but I think strength with compassion is what we should strive for.”
Last year, when he was involved in the launch to promote the Australian of the Year awards for 2012, he was asked to take one letter of the word Australia and pin to it a story that inspired him, Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
Mr Ritchie chose the story of Simpson and his donkey.
“I think that epitomises him. It’s about an everyday person who did an extraordinary thing for many people that saved lives, without any want of recognition.”
A service for Mr Ritchie will be held at the Naval Memorial Chapel at HMAS Watson, Watsons Bay at 1.30pm on Friday. There will be a celebration of his life after the service at the Rose Bay RSL.
❏ Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
Australia’s Local Hero Award winner has urged people not to be afraid to speak to someone they believe may be contemplating suicide.
Accepting his award, 84-year-old suicide prevention advocate Donald Ritchie said suicide needs to be taken seriously by the community.
“I ask each of you to consider how we can better support those contemplating suicide,” he said at the ceremony in Canberra.
“To my fellow Australians, never be afraid to speak to those who you feel are in need. Always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word.”
Mr Ritchie has lived near The Gap, a known suicide spot in Sydney for many years.
He is credited with coaxing 160 people away from the cliff’s edge and from the brink of taking their lives there. His strategy: an offer of a cup of tea and chat back at his place.
The National Australia Day Council said Mr Ritchie’s tangible efforts to prevent suicide were “truly remarkable”.
“His kind words and invitations into his home in times of trouble have made an enormous difference,” the council said in a statement.
“With such simple actions, Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives.”
In the early days, he often struggled physically with those wanting to jump while his wife called the police. But now he takes a more hands-off approach.
He’s been recognised more than once for his efforts. He was given a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006, while both him and his wife Moya were named Woollahra Council’s Citizens of the Year in 2010.
Mr Ritchie said his simple techniques preventing suicide at The Gap had worked “wonderfully well” down the years.
“I’ve been involved in many rescues, either talking people out of an immediate jump over the cliff, to ask them to come up to have a cup of tea with my wife and talk about it and see if we can help in any way,” he said.
Lucy, my wife, and I often walk with our dogs along the cliffs leading down to The Gap at South Head. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the electorate of Wentworth.
I can remember my mother walking with me down at The Gap and telling me of of the 1857 wreck of the Dunbar, which missed the entry into Sydney Harbour in a storm, and instead was smashed on the rocks below The Gap.
Only one of the 122 passengers and crew survived, James Johnson. I would imagine him bravely clinging to the rocks, the only survivor of a terrible storm. An anchor from the ship remains as a memorial.
But what we didn’t talk about, and what Australians still don’t talk about enough, is that much of the tragedy amid the beauty of those cliffs is very current. Indeed it could be happening as you are reading this article.
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For well over a century, the cliffs of South Head have been a preferred place for people to commit suicide. It has been estimated about 50 people end their lives at The Gap every year. They come from all over Australia. Some of them are well-known, such as the newsreader Charmaine Dragun, but all of them are tragedies.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44. In 2007, 1881 suicides were registered in Australia, with a further 65,000 attempts recorded. Men make up 75 per cent of the registered deaths. And these figures are likely to be understated.
Tragically, research shows that the taboo surrounding suicide prevents many individuals from reaching out to family or their community when their support is most needed. Yet many of us suffer the result of this silence. The personal and social costs of suicide are immediate and far-reaching, affecting families, friends, workplaces and the broader community. Suicide ends the lives of thousands but devastates the lives of tens of thousands directly affected.
The stigma of suicide is steadily lifting, due largely to the hard work and research of organisations such as beyondblue, Lifeline and the Black Dog Institute.
At The Gap, Woollahra Council – supported by the Black Dog Institute and Lifeline and by the brave advocacy of Dianne Gaddin, whose daughter ended her life there – is seeking to put in place a Gap Master Plan. This involves special fencing (which is hard to get over but easy to get back), landscaping and on-site upgrades, lighting, signs, CCTV cameras and emergency support telephones.
These measures will help in de-stigmatising the location, and will help ensure that those contemplating suicide at The Gap are deterred long enough for somebody to reach them, talk to them and change their mind. These techniques have been proven in other cities to materially reduce and deter suicide attempts. In short, they save lives.
Since late 2008, I have been been supporting Woollahra Council in the so far unsuccessful efforts to secure additional funding of just over $2 million from the federal government to ensure there is a thorough and comprehensive suicide prevention system at The Gap. The council has allocated $500,000 but much more needs to be done to complete the project and the council needs help. This is a life-saving project.
Local residents play an important role. The council hosted a very successful community workshop last year with the Black Dog Institute to raise awareness and build skills on managing depression and improving mental health. It was booked out.
One man, Donald Ritchie, who has lived opposite The Gap for nearly 50 years, has shown what can be done when you have the chance to intervene. He and his wife have talked many back from the brink, with a few kind words and the offer of a cup of tea. Honoured with an Order of Australia, Ritchie has talked more than 160 people out of taking their lives.
We have to lift the taboo about acknowledging suicide as a major, preventable health problem. The Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into suicide has done great work in raising awareness.
Would there be any hesitation in spending a few million dollars to address a road black spot that had been taking 50 lives a year for decades? I hope not.
The Gap is not just an eastern suburbs issue, it is the hottest suicide spot in Australia. The evidence is clear and the federal government must act to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure that those who look over those cliffs with thoughts of death are given every encouragement, every chance, to think again and come back from the brink, come back to live.
Malcolm Turnbull is the Liberal member for Wentworth. Lifeline: 131 114.
’’People will always come here. I don’t think it will ever stop’’ … Don Ritchie. Photo: Marco del Grande
HE IS the watchman of The Gap. A former life insurance salesman who in 45 years has officially rescued about 160 people intent on jumping from the cliffs at Watsons Bay, mostly from Gap Park, opposite his home high on Old South Head Road. Unofficially, that figure is closer to 400.
Some, at his urging, quietly gathered their shoes and wallets, neatly laid out on the rocks, and followed him home for breakfast. Others, tragically, struggled as he grabbed at their clothes before they slipped over the edge.
Still others later sent tokens of thanks, a magnum of champagne or an anonymous drawing slipped into his letter box, labelling him ‘‘an angel walking among us’’.
Don Ritchie, 82, spends much of his time reading newspapers, books and scanning the glistening expanse of ocean laid out before him. His days of climbing fences are gone and he admits some relief that most visitors now carry mobile phones and are quick to contact the police if they see a lone figure standing too close to the edge, too deep in contemplation.
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For its part, Woollahra Council has been campaigning for $2.5 million to install higher fences, motion-sensitive lights, emergency phones and closed-circuit television cameras, but Mr Ritchie is ambivalent.
‘‘People will always come here. I don’t think it will ever stop,’’ he says, with a shrug.
Some deaths have been recorded in his diary, others are eternally etched in his mind.
One summer evening he spotted a young man perched on a thin ledge, beyond the fence.
‘‘I went over and I tried to talk to him, asking him questions about where he was from. He wouldn’t talk much, just kept looking straight ahead. I was talking to him for about half an hour … thinking I was making headway. I said ‘why don’t you come over for a cup of tea, or a
beer, if you’d like one?’ He said ‘no’ and stepped straight off the side … his hat blew up and I caught it in my hand.’’ Later, Mr Ritchie discovered the 19-year-old had grown up next door, playing with his grandchildren.
Years later, Mr Ritchie encouraged a ‘‘nervous and confused’’ woman, sitting on a ledge, shoes by her side, to follow him home. Over tea and toast, she revealed she was unhappy with medication she had been prescribed for depression. Mr Ritchie’s wife suggested she seek a second opinion. ‘‘A couple of months later she came up the path with a bottle of French champagne. We later got a Christmas card from her, and a postcard. It said ‘I’ll never forget your important intervention in my life. I am well’.’’
Despite his bravery and compassion, Mr Ritchie has steered clear of the limelight. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his services to suicide prevention but is all too aware that any publicity attracts more depressed and disturbed people.
In the weeks after the Channel 10 newsreader Charmaine Dragun jumped to her death outside his house in November 2007, Mr Ritchie’s wife is adamant six more followed.
‘‘But what do you do? Not talk about it?’’ he asks. ‘‘It’s the truth. It’s what goes on here.’’
It has long been a haunting dichotomy for rescuers, families and media. To speak out in a bid to have the area made safer, risking more people becoming aware of it, or to keep quiet, letting the deaths go on.
But for an anti-suicide campaigner, Dianne Gaddin, whose daughter Tracy jumped from The Gap in 2005, the answer is easy. If the issue is not aired, the problem will never be solved.
She has written four letters in the past month to the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, urging him to act. While her pleas go unanswered, her desperation balloons. She knows Mr Ritchie will not be standing guard forever.
‘‘Sometimes just a smile and a greeting is all it takes to change the mind of the would-be suicider. I don’t believe people want to die, but living is just too hard. To me, Don is a guardian angel.’’
Lifeline: 131 114; Salvo Crisis Line 93312000; Beyond Blue 1300224 636.
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 26 April 1949
Cadet # 812
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 7417[/alert_yellow]
Uniform #: 3533
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – started 26 April 1949
Probationary Constable – appointed 16 October 1952
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 21 February 1977
Inspector – retirement
Stations: ?, North Sydney, Wollongong, Newtown, The Rocks, Liverpool ( 22 Division – ‘ I ‘ District ), Bankstown, Revesby, George St North – 4 Division ( 1981 ), Petersham ( 1980’s ), Campsie ( 13 Division Traffic Sgt 1969 ) – retired
Service: From 26 April 1949to 16 May 1988 = 39 years Service
Awards: no find on It’s An Honour – but was Awarded: Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Born: 16 October 1933
Died on: Friday 11 March 2016
Cause: Heart failure
Age: 82
Funeral date: Thursday 17 March 2016 @ 11.30am
Funeral location: South Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: located at Leppington Rose Garden – where the Children’s grave’s are. Both Joe and his wife – Colleen Mary BINGHAM nee Daley, have a plaque each ; on one head stone. They both passed away 14 days apart, Colleen on the 25 February 2016 & Joe on the 11 March 2016 after being married for 58 wonderful years.
[alert_yellow]JOSEPH is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Colleen Mary Bingham nee Daley was born 20-02-1937 to 25-02-201.
Joe & Colleen met in Wollongong whilst Joe was a Constable, stationed there.
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Ted Collins:Big man. Loved a schooner or two. Traffic Sgt at Campsie for many years rest in peace . Great memories.
Barry Jones: Joe helped me with my first departmental over some shitty complaint. That night at Bankstown he showed me the power of the written report. His response was a pure work of art. The only thing missing was the words ……”Once Upon A Time” at the beginning. I still have that Roget’s Thesaurus he convinced me to buy in 1977 sitting on my desk. The other thing I remember about Joe was his stand up blues with Tom Gerdes, now they were different. Going to miss you big fella.
Ted Collins: Barry Jones. He had that enigma about him. Very very good touch typist. Nothing for him to pitch in and type the synopsis or charge sheets on a wicked night shift. Jump in a car and whiz them into town if we missed the mailman. Never like some sitting there studying the stud book. Gee whiz didn’t he have some stand up blues. The office rocked . He never backed down.
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Rex Lionel RIENECKER
| 17/03/2016
Rex Lionel RIENECKER
( Late of Dapto )
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 4984[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 21 January 1946
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 June 1972 – retired
Passed away peacefully, after a long illness on March 8, 2016.
Loving son of Max and Maude (Jo), (both dec). Beloved husband of Helen. Dearly loved father and father in law of Kim and Peter, Megan and Peter, Jann and Phillip. Much loved Grandad of his grandchildren Ben, Stuart, David, Michael, Jack, Samuel, Matthew, Fergus, Ruby, Harry. Loved brother of Elaine (dec). Loving uncle of John, David, Caroline.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of 3rd Level, Wollongong Private Hospital.
Aged 91 Years
God has you in his keeping,
we have you in our hearts
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Rex to be held at Uniting Church, 122 Princes Highway Dapto on Tuesday 15th March, 2016 at 11:30am.
GOSFORD. Saturday. Constable Rex Lionel Rienecker, 30, of Gosford traffic police, was injured in a collision on the Pacific Highway, five miles north of Gosford, this afternoon.
He was chasing a speeding driver when his motor cycle collided with a vehicle which came out from a side road.
Constable Rienecker was hurled to the road.
An ambulance this evening took him 53 miles to Newcastle District Hospital, where he was admitted with a fractured right forearm, severe abrasions to the head and legs, and possible fractured ribs.
The Gosford Times & Wyong District Advocate Friday 12 March 1954 p1
Police promotions
Three Gosford police constables Rex Rienecker, R. J, Sawers, and Dick Cox, have been promoted to constables 1st class. The promotions have been held up for some time because appeals by police in other areas against promotion to other men, had to be heard first. Const. Rienecker, of Gosford’s traffic branch, has been two and a half years in the district. Const. Sawers, the lock up keeper, has been 19 months here, while Det. Cox has been in Gosford for two years.
Ian Borland: Brian was my Sergeant at Blacktown. A great bloke and a knowledgeable officer with a great sense of humour. Our shift was extremely close knit largely because of his way of running it. Rest in Peace Sergeant.
Paul Bernard Scott: I had the pleasure of working with Brian Fethers @ Fairfield in 70-71, agree with Borlo’s comments, very pleasant bloke, pleasure to work with, Condolences to his family.
Kevin Bishop: Yes, like Col BELL Brian Fethers was our Relief Sergeant at Blacktown. RIP Brian Fethers
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Matthew John JACKA
| 17/03/2016
Matthew John JACKA
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 26830[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Sergeant 2nd class – Resigned
Stations: ?, Richmond LAC, Transport Investigation Branch, Mt Druitt ( 27 Division ) late 1980s – 1999, Surry Hills ( as a Sgt ), South Penrith, NSW Police project team arranging emergency services response to World Youth Day, Lismore, Ballina ( Sgt )
Service: From? ? 1989to 25 May 2015 Resignation = 26 years Service
Funeral location: St Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 326 High St, Penrith ( opp. Police Stn )
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
Lismore police sergeant Matt Jacka at the Lismore roundabout where he and fellow off-duty officers arrested the man involved in yesterday’s road rage incident.
[alert_blue]MATT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
I have now resigned from work in order to study full time, but I worked in General Duties police for the past 26 years. During that time I did spend 12 months attached to the NSW Police project team arranging the emergency services response to the World Youth Day event.
A ROAD rage bully met his match when he leapt from his vehicle and attempted to intimidate motorists on the Bangalow Road in Lismore yesterday morning.
Much to the delight of fellow road users, the 26-year-old man from Brunswick Heads, who was seen driving dangerously and aggressively between Boat Harbour and Lismore, got more than he bargained for when the first driver he threatened turned out to be an off-duty police officer on his way to work.
If the driver thought that was unlucky, fate conspired even further with a second off-duty officer, Lismore police Sergeant Matt Jacka, also waiting in the queue, and a third officer pulling up just moments after that.
The maverick motorist was arrested and taken to Lismore police station and will face court on a range of traffic charges next month.
He was later taken to Lismore Base Hospital for blood and urine tests.
Sgt Jacka said he was following a fully-laden petrol tanker into Lismore, which he said was driving carefully in the dangerous conditions, when he was overtaken by the speeding driver after being tail-gated for about 30 seconds himself.
“He disappeared into the distance, but we caught up with him in the 60km/h zone in Lismore, where he appeared to be menacing drivers by slowing to 25 or 30km/h,” Sgt Jacka said.
“He then sped up at the next overtaking opportunity near the Westpac helicopter base, apparently to prevent other drivers from overtaking him.”
Police are still piecing together the sequence of events leading up to the incident and have appealed to any witnesses with information who were travelling to Lismore on the Bangalow Road before 6am yesterday to contact them.
The aggressive driver was seen dangerously tail-gating and overtaking traffic in dark and wet conditions near Bexhill before impeding traffic at Lismore’s city limits.
He eventually stopped his light blue, late model Ford Falcon utility in the middle of the road at the roundabout at St Carthage’s Cathedral and the BP petrol station about 6am, and was seen running at vehicles shaking his fists and yelling abuse.
Sgt Jacka and his police colleagues were more than happy to accommodate the man’s ‘issues’ back at the Lismore police station.
“You need your wits about you on that road as it is, let alone in dark, wet and foggy conditions,” he said.
“We highly recommend that drivers report such incidents and we will always follow up where we have a registration number.
“But it is important to exercise extreme caution and slow down or pull over if you deem it necessary.
“Get a rego number if possible, but never confront or antagonise aggressive drivers.”
There are heavy penalties for road rage in NSW, including permanent licence disqualification, fines up to $5500 and/or two years’ imprisonment.
A private family funeral service is to be conducted.
May Noreen forever Rest In Peace.
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Herman VAN DER VEGT
| 17/03/2016
Herman VAN DER VEGT
( late of Yanco, NSW )
New South Wales Police Force
Academy Class 135
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 15910[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 2 July 1973
Constable 1st Class – appointed 2 August 1978
Senior Sergeant – death
Stations: ?, B.A.S. Operator – early 1980’s ( Breath Analysis Section, Sydney ),
Rockdale ( SenCon ),
Punchbowl ( 13 Division ) Sergeant,
Leeton ( 1990’s – 5 October 2002),
Service: From 21 May 1973to 5 October 2002 = 29+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 December 1989
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 24 March 2000
Born: 3 November 1948
Died on: Friday 4 March 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney
Cause: Herman had a triple heart bypass in 1996. In March 2015 he had another bout of heart issues which resulted in 7 – 8 heart attacks over 3 – 4 weeks ending with 15% heart function. He had a heart device fitted but wasn’t 100%. See further information below.
Dear Family and Friends of our Dad,
Herman Vandervegt. Sadly, our Dad passed away on Friday 4th March, 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney. We would like to invite you ALL to our Dads funeral service.
Friday 11th March, 2016
Leeton Lawn Cemetery
2pm
Following the service we would love to have everyone join us at Yanco Ex-Servicemans Club from 3:30-4pm. The club provides a courtesy bus until 11:30-12pm should people wish to have a drink or two too many.
We will be having a viewing on Thursday 10th March, 2016, 4pm at Les Watkins funeral home, Leeton should anyone wish to attend.
As I’m certain we do not have contact details for all Dads friends, far and wide, we would appreciate if you could pass on the above to any relevant people. Dee and I have posted the above on our Facebook pages and I have posted the information on Dads Facebook page also.
We have also organised an advertisement in the irrigator newspaper which comes out tomorrow, 8th March and there will also be a radio announcement on Thursday 10th March on radio station 2RG following the 8:30 news.
Don’t think we have forgotten anything and apologies if you receive this message more than once.
Love Kez and Dee
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VANDERVEGT, Herman:
Passed away at St Vincents Hospital Sydney, on Friday, 4 March 2016.
Late of 9 Coonong Ave, Yanco.
Loving father of Kerrie Cameron and Deanne Vandervegt. Cherished Grandfather of Jacob, Nicholas and Alex.
Aged 67 years.
“Resting peacefully in Gods care.”
The relatives and friends of the late Herman Vandervegt are respectfully informed that a graveside service will be held on Friday, 11 March, 2016 at the Leeton Lawn Cemetery, commencing at 2.00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers donations will be greatfully accepted at the service on behalf of St Vincent Heart Transplant Unit Sydney.
Email received, via AustralianPolice.com.au, from Deanne Vandervegt on Wednesday 9 March 2016:
Hi Cal
My name is Deanne Vandervegt. I am the daughter of Herman Vandervegt DOB: 03/11/1948. Dad retired as a Senior Sergeant, from Leeton Police Station in 2002. He was in the police force from 21/05/1973-04/10/2002.
Dad has had heart disease / cardiac issues since 1996 which was also the year he had a triple bypass. 23/03/2015 he had his next bout of cardiac issues which took him through 7-8 heart attacks in 3-4 weeks, multiple admissions to St Vincents Hospital, Leeton Hospital, Wagga Wagga Hospital and Griffith Hospital, eventually resulting in end stage heart failure with less than 15% heart function. As it was the end of the road, we (dad, sister and I) decided to accept surgery of a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) which is a pump inserted into the left heart ventricle that forces injection and contraction of the heart to maintain circulation of blood and oxygen. After coming close to death so many times following this surgery, he finally turned the corner and spent 3 months in rehab. The LVAD essentially gave him life again, nothing close to the life he knew, but he was alive, and that was all that mattered to him. He was then placed on the heart transplant list, awaiting a donor heart.
On the morning of 16/02/2106 we received the phone call we had been praying for… A donor heart was a match. It had only been 6 months following the LVAD surgery, but this chance may never have come around again and whilst too early for our liking, he made his way via the first flight out of Leeton.
Surgery took place at 12pm and finally was completed at 1:30am. Whilst the heart transplant went ok, there were major complications removing the LVAD and things sadly went down hill from there. Major abdomen bleeds, several clots in the aorta and following, a massive heart attack which again, put him back into end stage heart failure resulting in only 5% heart function. No human can sustain “life” with 5% heart function. We requested they just give him some more time and let his poor body heal. A couple of days later we were informed his heart was worsening and the heart “reserve” they were hoping for, was no longer. My sister and I were asked to remove all support. Over several days it was evident that dad just could not conquer this fight, he’d given it everything, his all, and we had to leave him with dignity. Regrettably after removing support dad passed quickly on 04/03/2016.
If there is any other information I can assist with, please contact me.
Regards
Deanne Vandervegt
On behalf of all us old and retired Police, may your father forever Rest In Peace.
Cal
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Email from Neville Briggs
Former Inspector, Singleton, NSW
I was saddened to see the announcement of the passing of Herman Vandervegt.
All that I could add to his history is that in the early eighties, Herman was one of the mobile Breath Analysis Operators ( The BAS operators in Sydney ) I met him in that role at the old no. 9 Division, Burwood.
Between 1986 and 1990, I was stationed at Punchbowl in Sydney and Herman was a shift Sergeant in those years at Punchbowl, 13 Division.
One amusing incident that I always remember is that one of the Punchbowl Constables came to me to complain that she couldn’t work with Herman on the night shift. The reason, I was told, was that in the car Herman played a radio station all night that only featured Country & Western music, and Herman knew all the songs and sang along with them all. The poor Constable was distraught. Lol.
Neville Briggs,
Former Inspector, Singleton NSW.
