On the afternoon of Wednesday, 3 March 1976, about 4.50pm, when Sen Const Laube was performing a motorcycle patrol north along Coolart Road, Somerville, and collided with a car which had pulled out into his path from Eramosa Road.
Sadly, he received fatal injuries and died at the accident scene. He was 31.
Sen Const Laube joined Victoria Police on 21 February, 1964 and worked at various police stations during his career including Bourke Street West, St Kilda and Mentone before transferring to the Mobile Traffic Section in 1972.
He was survived by his wife Eve and son Steven.
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Francis Nicholas ROSSI
| 05/03/2016
Francis Nicholas ROSSI
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Principal Superintendent of NSW Police.
Appointed by Earl Bathurst in 1824 and took up the post in 1825
Stations: ?
Service: From 19 May 1825to 1834 = 9 years Service
Awards: ?
Born: 1776 on Corsica
Died on: 26 November 1851
Cause: ?
Age: 75
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location:
Old Saint Saviour’s Cemetery, Goulburn ( behind Goulburn Gaol ) in a large vault of the Rossi family ).
Buried at:
Old Saint Saviour’s Cemetery, Goulburn ( behind Goulburn Gaol ) in a large vault of the Rossi family ).
Memorial at: ?
History:
Francis Nicholas Rossi (1776 – 1851), soldier and public servant, was born in Corsica, France, the son of Philippe François Antoine, Comte de Rossi, who, through aiding the British occupation of Corsica in 1795, lost his possessions when the island was surrendered to France in 1796 and was compensated with a pension by the British government. Rossi entered the British army in 1795 as ensign in an Anglo-Corsican battalion. In 1798 he transferred to the 69th Regiment and served in Holland. Next year as lieutenant in the 5th Regiment he served in Gibraltar and was favourably noticed for conspicuous ability.
In April 1803 he joined a regiment formed to serve in Ceylon and was promoted captain in January 1807. In 1811 he was appointed aide-de-camp to Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar who in 1812 became governor of Mauritius, where Rossi also held the civil posts of deputy-secretary to the government and collector of registration and mortgage dues. Sent to Bengal in 1815, he arranged for the transportation to Mauritius of Indian convicts. He carried dispatches to England in 1816 and in 1817 was appointed general superintendent of the convict department in Mauritius. Through fear that the scattered working parties of convicts might incite the slaves to rebellion, Rossi enforced rigorous discipline. In 1822 he married Antoinette Geneviève Sornay, by whom he had two sons, Francis Robert Louis (b.1823) and Alexander Philip (b.1828). Rossi left Mauritius when Farquhar’s governorship ended in 1823 and in August 1824 accepted the post of superintendent of police in New South Wales, offered him by Earl Bathurst.
Rossi took up his duties in Sydney on 19 May 1825, replacing D’Arcy Wentworth. He reorganised the Sydney police on a system somewhat similar to that of the Bow Street police office in London. Through his own tireless efforts he made the force more efficient, although continuously hampered by inadequate funds and recruits of poor quality; even worse, control of the colony’s police forces was divided between the benches of magistrates outside Sydney, the officers of the mounted police, and the head of the Sydney police. In appointing Rossi, Bathurst intended to carry out a recommendation of Commissioner John Thomas Bigge that the police of the whole colony should be under one central authority. However, Governors Sir Thomas Brisbane and (Sir) Ralph Darling postponed the change. Rossi remained, therefore, executive head of the Sydney police only, although he had authority to correspond directly with the rural benches of magistrates and was himself a police magistrate. He felt the weight of his duties and in May 1827 was temporarily appointed to the less arduous post of comptroller, and in December acting collector of customs in Sydney. Despite Darling’s earnest request, this appointment was not confirmed and in 1829 Rossi resumed duty with the police. In 1833 the Sydney Police Act (4 Wm IV, no 7 NSW) introduced a new system, the application of which Rossi felt was too onerous for his health, already impaired by heavy duties. He obtained a year’s leave during which he was permitted to sell his army commission on condition that he retired from the police.
After retirement in November 1834 he lived on his property Rossiville in the Goulburn district. He had long believed himself a British subject, first because George III had assumed the crown of Corsica in 1794, and second because of his long service in the British army. In 1843, however, he found that he was still an alien in the eyes of the law and became anxious about his right to own land. On the representation of Governor Sir George Gipps in May 1844, the Colonial Office authorised the issue of letters of denization to Rossi. When the legal competency of denizens and naturalised aliens to hold land in the colony was questioned in 1845, Rossi’s case was noticed by the governor as one of particular hardship. To relieve the situation, an amending Act (11 Vic. no 39 NSW) was passed by the Legislative Council in September 1847 and given royal assent in October 1848. Rossi died on 26 November 1851.
Throughout his career in New South Wales, Rossi was surrounded by discreditable rumours. However groundless, they adversely affected his status as a magistrate and his influence on the Sydney police. For example the House of Commons was told in 1826 that he had instructed soldiers in Mauritius to ignore any indications of slave-trading; he was exonerated after a board of magistrates in Sydney examined the accusations and heard his explanation. Another harmful rumour was that his appointment in Sydney was a reward for personal services to George IV. Rossi, it was alleged, had been sent to Italy in 1819 with the secret commission to obtain evidence for the royal divorce and, under the pseudonym ‘Majorca’ or ‘Majocchi’, had been an important witness against Queen Caroline. No firm evidence substantiated the rumours but they persisted in Sydney, and the words ‘non mi ricordo in Queen Caroline Trial’ were noted against his name in a members’ list of the Australian Club compiled by Phillip Parker King in 1844. Rossi was involved in a local scandal when allegations of malpractice as a magistrate were brought against him in the Supreme Court in 1826. In giving judgement, the chief justice absolved Rossi from corrupt motives, but because his conduct had been irregular he was not allowed costs.
Some critics thought him unsuited for his post in Sydney because of his foreign origins and accent, and his inability to understand the nature of English law and customs. Bathurst himself seemed to doubt Rossi’s suitability and gave Darling authority to transfer him to another post if he saw fit. However, Darling was well satisfied with Rossi’s conduct, and Brisbane and Sir Richard Bourke commented favourably on his zeal and energy. In suggesting eligible names for a proposed local order of merit in 1844, Gipps included Rossi and bore high testimony to his character and to his long, honorary service on the Goulburn bench.
The Sydney Morning Herald Sat. 11 September 1937 p13
There is a large vault of the Rossi family. There is no inscription on it, but it would appear that Francis Nicholas Rossi (the elder), who died 26/1/1851, was the first occupant. He was a captain in the 3rd Reg., and Principal Superintendent of Police in N.S.W.
John became a Paraplegic when injured on duty during his Probation in 1969 and was invited by Commissioner Norm Allen to remain in the Force after suffering his injury. He retired HOD in 1982.
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Perhaps some members on here will remember John KIDD a former HWP Cyclist, who was involved in a serious accident with a brewery truck in the inner city about 1975 and as a result ended up a Paraplegic in a wheel chair. John as also a Vietnam Vet. and instead of being boarded out ( of NSW Police Force ) he wanted to continued as he was very interested in surveillance and collating of evidence, so in a wheel chair he was transferred to Lismore and worked with Detectives in charge of running sheets on some very heavy incidents such as the Murwillumbah Bank Robber, the double beach murders at Kingscliff, a couple of other serious murders involving Mr Asia Syndicate.
John carried on a brilliant job and he stayed in the job until about 15 years ago when his health failed him, he had all sorts of problems including having both legs amputated.
John, under the circumstances, done a great job, he was very popular with his fellow workers.
Unfortunately John passed away last Friday he was about 69 – 70 old.
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May you forever Rest In Peace
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Daryl Vernon VENABLES
| 05/03/2016
Daryl Vernon VENABLES
( late of Cronulla )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 17666
Joined NSW Police Force via the NSW Police Cadet system on 2 February 1976
Cadet # 3244
Rank: NSW Police Cadets – started 2 February 1976
Probationary Constable – appointed 5 September 1977
Constable – appointed 5 September 1978
Detective Sergeant – retired
Stations: ?, Philip Street ( 1978 ), Macquarie Fields, Broken Hill, Chatswood, Major Crime Squad North West, Wagga Wagga – retirement
Service: From 2 February 1976to 7 September 2007 = 31+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 22 July 1993
Born: 5 September 1958
Died on: Thursday 25 February 2016
Cause: possibly cancer
Age: 57
Funeral date: 3 March 2016 @ 1pm
Funeral location: South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, SUTHERLAND
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: ?
Daryl Venables Black jewfish caught on Melville Island. Clearwater fishing lodge. Put it on your bucket list! April 14, 2014 at 3:39pm Daryl Venables Daryl Venables I would like to thank all those who sent best wishes for my birthday. What may seem to be a small thing, is greatly appreciated by me as I struggle with this insidious cancer. Any small thought can mean so much when you are doing it tough. (Trust me I am no SNAG, but just a normal bloke doing his best to deal with the disease). Look forward to saying the same words next year. September 7, 2014 at 11:49pm
Photo taken at TDC reunion held at Manly 2008. Trying to make a point on another important issue.
DARYL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance*NEED MORE INFO
Fu
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Loving husband of Kerrie, father of Glenn, Scott and Patrick. Lifelong mate of the T. D. C.
“Ciao for now OBE you big Galoot!”
All friends are invited to attend a celebration and commemoration of his life on Thursday March 3, 2016 in the South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, Sutherland at 1:00pm.
For the purposes of this website ‘P‘ = represents those Police joining Pre 1 March 1862 when NSWPF “Officially” commenced.
Service: Irish Constabulary ( from 1 March 1841 – 24 December 1845, Resigned ) = 4+ years Service,
English Constabulary ( London Police from 11 May 1846 – ? ) = 7+ years Service
Emigrated to Australia, aboard the ship Bangalore, in 1854 aged 32, arriving 13 January 1855 at Port Jackson, NSW.
NSW Police Ranks – Service 1: 13 January 1855 – Constable
? February 1855 – Sergeant
? ? 1857 – acting Inspector
Resigned 11 May 1857 = 2+ years Service
Service 1: NSW Police Force ( Colonial Constabulary 13 January 1855 – 11 May 1857 ) Sydney, Penrith ( for 6 – 7 years ), City Police ( Sydney )
NSW Police Ranks = Service 2: ? – 1882 Sergeant
Service 2: ( Rejoinee – NSWPF ) – ( 4 October 1859 – May 1882 )?, Sgt – Summons Room of Water Police Court, Sydney – Retirement = 13 years Service
‘the below article, dated 2 May 1882, states he rejoined the NSW Police on 4 October 1869 but NSW State Archives has him joining on 4 October 1859 ( 10 years earlier & being born in 1822, not 1823 )
Total of 37+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1822, Arnay, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland
Died on: Saturday 17 March 1900 at his residence ‘Avoca’, 103 Arthur St, Nth Sydney
Cause: Illness – ?
Age: 77
Funeral date: Monday 19 March 1900 @ 3pm
Funeral location: his residence ‘Avoca’, 103 Arthur St, Nth Sydney, NSW
Buried at: Gore Hill Cemetery, Pacific Hwy, St Leonards, NSW
Inscription Location of grave but no tombstone visible Additional Information from Gore Hill Cemetery Graves Index: Tubman, Henry – Age 77, buried 19/03/1900. Other notes: North Sydney. Tubman, Faith – Age 77, buried 11/11/1926. Other notes: [none] Welsman, Clifford Robert Henry – Age 18, buried 21/06/1941. Other notes: 67 Dalton Street Mosman. Welsman, Stephen – Age 55, buried 08/11/1943. Other notes: (Ashes). 67 Dalton Road Mosman. Welsman, Ethel Frances – Age 73, buried 24/11/1964. Other notes: (ashes). 251 Ben Boyd Road Neutral Bay.
Memorial at: ?
HENRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
THE FRIENDS of Sergeant TUBMAN are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late beloved WIFE, to move from his residence, 111 Prince-street, a quarter to 2 p.m., THIS DAY, the 8th instant, for the Necropolis.
THE FRIENDS of Mr. HENRY TUBMAN, Sergeant of the Sydney Police, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased WIFE, Maria Anne Tubman; to move from his residence, No. 111 Prince-street, THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, at a quarter before 2 o’clock, for the Necropolis.
J. and G. SHYING and CO., Undertakers, 719, George-street S.
We learn that Sergeant Henry Tubman, of the City Police Force, is about to retire upon an allowance granted under the provisions of the superannuation Act. It is probably that there are few persons who have had so much experience of the police force, and fewer still who as policemen have been witness of so many stirring events as has Sergeant Tubman. That officer has worn the uniform of a protector of life and property for more than 39 years.
During that period he has served in the Irish, the English, and the colonial constabulary, and been a witness of some of the scenes of strife engendered in Ireland by the agitation for the repeal of the Union, a spectator when O’Connell addressed an assemblage of 150,000 people, one who was armed with a sawback cutlass at the time of the Chartist riots, and a witness of the opening of the first International Exhibition in London in 1851.
SergeantTubman joined the Irish constabulary as a constable on the 1st March, 1841, and was first called upon to do duty at proceedings in connection with a general election held at Erldunda. The election lasted three days, and as the question of the repeal of the Union was agitating the people’s minds there was a considerable amount of excitement attended by riotous proceedings.
Constable Tubmanresigned on the 24th December, 1845, and joined the London police force on the 11th May of the following year. He was amongst those who had to do duty during the period that the Chartistsgave so much trouble. As it was thought that the Chartists contemplated a wholesale slaughterof the police force, the constables were armed with sawback cutlasses, and were employed on duty in pairs.
In the year 1854 some difficulty was experienced in Sydney in retaining constables, owing to the attractions which the newly discovered goldfields then presented. The local Government sent to England for a number of men, who had had previous experience as constables, and against whom there were to be no marks for drunkenness. It was also stipulated that any men to be sent to the colony must have borne an excellent character.
Forty-six men were selected, amongst whom was 32 year old Constable Tubman. They came to Sydney by the ship Bangalore, which arrived in Port Jackson on the 13th January, 1855. Three weeks after his arrival Mr. Tubman was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and two years later he was raised to the rank of acting inspector.
Mr. Tubman retired from the force by resignation on the 11th May, 1857, but he rejoined on the 4th October, 1869. For the last five or six years he has hold the position of sergeant in charge of the summons room of the Water Police Court, where his courteous demeanour has secured him many friends.
Sergeant Tubman, who ¡s now upwards of 60 years of age, retires on an allowance of 5s. 10d. per day, which is equal to two-thirds the amount of his daily pay.
We understand that provision has also been made for the immediate retirement of’ Senior-constable John Carton, the trooper who has been stationed at Manly Beach for the last 15 or 16 years.
At the ST. LEONARDS POLICE COURT, yesterday, before Mr. G. W. F. Addison, S.M., J. O. Phillips, summoned by the Inspector of Nuisances for the Borough of St. Leonards, for using on his premises nightsoil brought from elsewhere without permission, was fined 40s., and complainant’s costs £1 11s. 6d., levy and distress, or 14days.
John McClinchy, summoned by Henry Tubman, Inspector of Nuisances for the Borough of Victoria, for obstructing him when acting under the authority of the Nuisances Prevention Act, was fined £3, and costs 7s., levy and distress, or one month.
Anton Ham was ordered to pay 10s. per week for 12 months towards the support of his wife, the first payment to be made at St. Leonards police station on Monday next, with 5s. 10d. costs.
Mr. Henry Tubman, late Inspector of Nuisances to the Borough of East St. Leonards, has been re-appointed, out of 120 applicants to the position, at a salary of £150 per annum. He was inspector to that borough, and also to the borough of Victoria, at each place receiving a salary of £80 per annum. He will, of course, resign his position at Victoria.
TUBMAN.—The Friends of Sergeant JOHN THOMPSON are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of his late FATHER-IN-LAW, Henry Tubman, ex-Sergeant of Police ; to leave his late residence, 103 Arthur-street, North Sydney, at 3 p.m. THIS DAY, for Gore Hill Cemetery.
TUBMAN.— The Friends of the late Mr. HENRY TUBMAN, ex-Sergeant of Police, are kindly invited to attend his Funeral ; to move from Avoca, 103 Arthur- street, North Sydney, THIS MONDAY, at 3 o’clock, for the Gore Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. P. KIRBY and SON,
Undertakers,
7 Elizabeth-st., and 113 Miller-st., N. Syd. Tel., 875.
An ex-senior sergeant of police and a pensioner in the person of Mr. Henry Tubman died at his residence, Arthur-street, North Sydney, on Saturday last.
The deceased, who was well advanced in years, had seen considerable service in the force. There was a large attendance of police officers at the funeral on Monday, the Police Band being also present.
TUBMAN — At his residence, ‘ Avoca,’ Arthur street, North Sydney, Henry Tubman, ex Senior-sergeant of Police, aged 77 years. Dearly beloved father of Mrs A. H. McEachern, of David street, Albury.
The subject of the appended paragraph from Sydney paper was the ‘father-in-law of Mr. A H. McEachern, of Albury ; — Henry Tubman, an ex-police sergeant, died on Saturday at North Sydney at the age of 77 years. The deceased appears to have been ill for a considerable time, and had had consequently a protracted confinement to his house. A few years ago Mr. Tubman filled the office of inspector of nuisances to the East St. Leonards Council, and about the period of the amalgamation of the Council he was one of the unsuccessful candidates.
The funeral on Monday was attended by several members of the local police force.
Tubman joined the Royal Irish Constabulary when 18 years of age, thence he passed to the London Police. In 1854, the Government of New South Wales called for volunteers from the London Police, and Tubman was one of those accepted. He came here in the ship ‘ Bungalore,’ in company with the present Superintendent Reid.
Being a steady and zealous officer, he rose in the force, and became inspector about the year 1856. He was transferred to Penrith, and after six or seven years’ service, returned to Sydney until May, 1882, when he retired on a pension.
“He leaves behind a widow & 4 children”. This shows that me ‘may have’ remarried after the death of his wife, Maria Anne Tubman, in January 1880, whilst living at 111 Prince St. The ‘second wife’ may ‘possibly be’ Faith TUBMAN who either died on, or was buried on, the 11 November 1926 in a grave next to Henry. Methodist 1, A, 149 of Gore Hill Cemetery, NSW.
The St. Leonards circuit has recently lost by death two of its most venerable church members. The first to lay down the burden of life was Mr. Thomas Swinger, ……….
The next to be removed Henry Tubman, from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant, was Mr. Henry Tubman, one of the oldest members of the St. Leonards Church, and a trustee for the Parraween property. He died at his residence in Arthur Street, North Sydney, on Wednesday, 17th. March, in his 78th. year, and his body was laid in the grave in the beautiful cemetery at Gore Hill, on Monday, 19th. ultimo.
For six long months he was afflicted, but his fortitude and submission to the Divine will were unfailing. He loved prayer, reading of the Scriptures, and the visits of Christian friends. In the last hours of his life he suffered greatly, death was hard work to him physically but his faith did not fail him. His lips were often seen to move in prayer, and the Lord in whom he trusted fulfilled his promise and did not leave nor forsake him in his mortal struggle.
Mr. Tubman was a retired sergeant of the Police Force of the Colony, having joined it upwards of 40 years ago, and was at one time a well known member of our church in the Bourke Street and York Street circuits. He had resided at St. Leonards for the past 18 years.
In THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES – Probate Jurisdiction. – In the Will of HENRY TUBMAN, late of North Sidney, in the colony of New South Wales, Gentleman, deceased.- Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Probate of the late Will of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to FAITH TUBMAN and HUGH ABERCROMBIE, the Executor named in the said Will, and all notices may be served at the office of the undersigned.
TUBMAN.-In loving remembrance of our dear husband and father, Henry Tubman, who died 17th March, 1900, at his residence, 103 Arthur-street, North Sydney. Inserted by his affectionate wife and children.
TUBMAN- In affectionate remembrance of our dear husband and father Henry Tubman, died 17th March, 1900. Inserted by his affectionate wife and children.
TUBMAN.-In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Henry Tubman. who died March 17. 1900, at North Sydney. Inserted by his affectionate wife and children.
McEACHERN.— March 22, 1909, at Manly, of Bright’s disease, Rebecca Emily Estella, dearly loved third daughter of Archibald H. and Rebecca McEachern, of Albury, and granddaughter of the late Henry Tubman, Esq, of North Sydney, aged 23 years.
John Carton was born in the County of Wexford, Ireland in 1836.
Constable Carton, who took over the top job in 1867, was the first officer to live at Manly police station, which was completed shortly before he took up the post. Interestingly, Constable Carton lived at the station with his wife and five children. The station had stables and 2 cells, one for males and one for females. Their ‘patrol’ extended up to Palm Beach. Prior to the station being built, the area was covered by Police from Sydney.
The first person arrested after the building was completed was one of the stonemasons, for “celebrating too boisterously”. He was thrown into the station’s new lock-up shortly after the work was completed.
According to a Mr MacRitchie, (Historian) he was a brave man.
He risked his life trying in vain to save a man from drowning at South Steyne on New Year’s Day in 1878. He also led efforts to put out the fire that swept through West Esplanade in 1877, destroying several houses. This was before there was any fire service in Manly.
Senior Constable Carton died of tuberculosis in 1882, aged 46.
He is mentioned in a number of ‘trove’ articles regarding ‘fatals’ he attended on the northern beaches. They sometimes gave his rank as Constable and Sergeant. He died 23/05/1882 at Manly. On a death notice it is mentioned that at the time of his death he was a ‘Senior Constable’ Not ‘former’ Senior Constable.
He is buried in the Catholic section of Manly Cemetery along with his wife.
Freeman’s Journal ( Sydney ) Saturday 26 October 1878 p 13 of 24
MANLY
Mr. John CARTON has been appointed our agent for the above place.
( It is NOT known if the John Carton in this article is the John Carton from the Police Stn )
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 2 May 1882 p 7 of 10
…… We understand that provision has also been made for the immediate retirement of Senior-constable John Carton, the trooper who has been stationed at Manly Beach for the last 15 or 16 years.
Freeman’s Journal ( Sydney ) Saturday 3 June 1882 p 11 of 24
CARTON. –
May 23, at his residence, Manly Beach, John Carton, in the 47th year of his age, leaving a sorrowing wife and five children, also many friends, to mourn their loss. On his soul sweet Jesus have mercy.
Plans for new medal to recognise slain, seriously injured WA police
Nicole Cox
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 manifestedon 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,
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)
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,
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!
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadets on 16 May 1966
Cadet # 2158
Academy Class 115
Regd. # 13318
Rank: Police Cadet – started 16 May 1966 ( aged 16 years, 9 months, 27 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 28 July 1968 ( aged 19 years )
Constable – appointed 28 July 1969
Constable 1st Class – appointed 28 July 1973
Senior Constable – appointed 28 July 1977
Sergeant 3/c – appointed 2 September 1984 ( Seniority date should have been 31 August 1984 )( Loss of 2 days Seniority )
Detective Chief Inspector
Stations: ? , Observation Squad, Darlinghurst ( 3 Division in the 1970’s ), CIB during the 1970’s, CIB Pillage Squad, 31 Division in 1985, SDCC around 1986, Crime Management Unit, N.C.A., NSWCC, Child Protection – Major Crime Squad – South – retirement
Service: From16 May 1966to 5 July 2003 = 37 years, 1 month, 19 days Service
Age at Retirement: 53 years, 11 months, 7 days
Years in Retirement: 12 years, 7 months, 8 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 29 June 1984
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 2 February 1995
Born: Thursday 28 July 1949
Died on: Saturday 13 February 2016 at 10am
Cause: Cancer
Age: 66 years, 6 months, 16 days
Funeral date: Friday 19 February 2016 @ 9am
Funeral location: Woronora General Cemetery and Crematorium, 121 Linden Street, Sutherland
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
BENNY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
Funeral location:
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
