Suffered: Diabetes mellitus Type II, Hypertension, Depression, Lumbar Disc disease
Event location: Bass Highway at Wiltshire, Tasmania
Age: 62 years, 11 months, 14 days
Funeral date: Friday 14 December 2012 @ 10am
Funeral location: Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Marshall St, Stanley, Tasmania
Buried at:
Memorial location:
BOB is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
IT IS WITH DEEP RESPECT & SADNESS THAT I LET YOU ALL KNOW OF THE PASSING OF RETIRED SENIOR CONSTABLE ROBERT “BOBBY” PAYTON, FORMER PT KEMBLA WATER POLICEMAN WHO WAS, ON SATURDAY MORNING, KILLED IN A MOTOR CYCLE COLLISION IN TASMANIA WHERE HE LIVED WITH HIS WIFE ON A LAVENDER FARM.
BOBBY WAS A MUCH LIKED BLOKE IN THE ILLAWARRA.
Ulverstone man dies in crash at Wiltshire Save
Dec. 8, 2012, 9:31 a.m.
The scene of a fatal accident near Wiltshire.
A 62-YEAR-OLD Ulverstone man is dead after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Bass Highway at Wiltshire this morning.
In a statement released this afternoon Police said they believe a car being driven east by a 47-year-old Devonport man was overtaking a removalist truck when it collided with a scooter, travelling in the opposite direction, ridden by the Ulverstone man.
As a result of the collision the rider was thrown from the scooter and died at the scene before paramedics arrived.
The driver of the car was uninjured, but taken to the Smithton Hospital for observation.
The name of the Ulverstone man has not yet been released.
An inquest has been opened into the matter.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the crash or any of the vehicles involved to contact Burnie Police Station or the Police Assistance number on 131444.
SAD LOSS: John Westergreen and Bob Payton work on the extensions to the Central Coast Community Shed. Looking on is John’s father, Frank. Mr Payton was killed in a road accident on Saturday. Picture: Grant Wells.
ON SATURDAY, the Central Coast community lost a man who spent his whole life serving people.
Bob Payton was killed when the scooter he was riding and a car collided near Wiltshire in Circular Head.
He was five minutes from his Forest farm, where he spent most weekends while living at Ulverstone.
Mr Payton was a volunteer and committee member with both the Central Coast Community Shed and the Men’s Shed, which share the same building at the Ulverstone Showgrounds.
Outgoing Men’s Shed president Len Blair said members were shattered when the news of Mr Payton’s death filtered through.
“We’re all struggling here. Many of the members are very upset.
“Bob was a fantastic volunteer and spent countless hours at the shed and will be sadly missed,” Mr Blair said yesterday.
The Men’s Shed held a committee meeting about the shed’s future after Mr Payton’s death.
Members were full of praise for Mr Payton’s work and the time he gave to the project.
He was the second-in- charge of the recent building works at the shed, which saw it double its work space at the showgrounds.
“I guess in a way it was good Bob got to see the shed get to the lock-up stage. He spent so many hours down here to try and get it finished.
“He was the sort of man who would do anything to help out and that’s what his entire life was.
“Bob was a police officer in New South Wales for 20 odd years and has always been a big part of the community. There was nothing he would say no to, he was just full of energy.”
The Men’s Shed members were to have their Christmas party on Friday, but it’s likely Mr Payton’s funeral will be held the same day.
“We have postponed our Christmas party until a later date, which will now become a memorial for Bob.”
PAYTON –
Mass of Christian Burial for the late Mr Robert John (Bob) Payton will be celebrated at the Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Marshall St, Stanley at 10 a.m. on FRIDAY, December 14, 2012.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
A CORONER has found that a driver overtaking on the wrong side of the Bass Highway killed a scooter rider in a head-in collision.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart released her findings into the death of rider Robert John Payton, 62, on Monday.
Mr Payton died on December 8, 2012 on the Bass Highway, Wiltshire on the North-West Coast.
The retired policeman was riding a motor scooter and died instantly when Clinton Lee Chauvin, who was driving on the wrong side of the road, hit his vehicle head-on.
About 8am on the day, Chauvin, driving a Mitsubishi wagon, decided to overtake an old, slow-moving truck and crossed over onto the wrong side of the road to do so.
Coroner McTaggart said this overtaking manoeuvre at that point was unnecessary.
“A long straight section of road was ahead which would have, if clear, been significantly more suitable for an overtaking manoeuvre,” she said.
“Most unfortunately, Mr Chauvin did not see Mr Payton’s scooter until he was in his incorrect lane and did not have any ability to avoid the crash.
“A prudent driver intending to overtake would have paid closer attention to the presence of oncoming vehicles.
“Additionally, Mr Chauvin placed himself in a position too close to the truck to have a proper view and overtook it despite such impaired view.
“The evidence also indicates that Mr Chauvin, when he was travelling further back from the truck had the opportunity to see the scooter on the road ahead but did not do so.”
Ms McTaggart said Mr Payton’s riding was appropriate at all material times.
“I find that Mr Chauvin contributed to Mr Payton’s cause of death by entering the incorrect lane in which Mr Payton was travelling on his scooter at a time when he had no clear view ahead, and in circumstances of failing to keep a proper lookout for oncoming vehicles,” she said.
“The circumstances of Mr Payton’s death are a tragic reminder of the dangers of overtaking another vehicle by travelling in the oncoming lane.”
Chauvin was charged with having caused the death of another person by negligent driving and overtaking when unsafe to do so.
He pleaded guilty to these charges on September 16, 2013 in the Burnie Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Don Jones jailed Chauvin for three months, wholly suspended for two years, and disqualified him from driving for eight months.
Memorial location: All Nations Park war memorial, Separation St, Northcote, Vic.
James, Andrea and Joshua Kilmartin.
First Constable Andrea Walsh at a service honouring the late Sergeant Brian Kilmartin.
Servicemen and women honoured the late Sergeant Brian Kilmartin.
[alert_blue]BRIAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue]
* NOT JOB RELATED
The Funeral of Sergeant BRIAN KILMARTIN will be held in the Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy, View Mount Rd, Glen Waverley on THURSDAY (October 10) at 2.00 pm.
POLICE HONOURS
Brian’s interment will take place at the Tatura Lawn Cemetery (Winter Rd) on FRIDAY (October 11) at 12.00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart Foundation would be appreciated. Envelopes at the Service.
The Age, Tuesday October 8, 2013
Messages:
KILMARTIN. Brian Gerard.
11.6.1964 – 30.9.2013
Beloved husband of Andrea.
Loved and loving father of Joshua and James.
Youngest son of Tom (dec. ) and Pat (Kyabram/Tatura) and brother of David and Chris, Tony and Angela, Dennis and Rosemary, Brendan and their families.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Killer, you are a legend of the job and will never be forgotten.
Steve “Trigger and Robyn Waite.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Always knowledgeable, always approachable. Best Sergeant we ever had. Rest In Peace
Nick and Jo Parissis.
KILMARTIN Brian Sergeant 24519
Members past and present of Northcote Police Station are saddened by the sudden loss of our highly respected work colleague and friend.
Killer, you were a man of few words but those words were always full of wisdom and humour. You will be sadly missed.
Condolences to Andrea, Josh, James and the Kilmartin family.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Sergeant 24519
Management and Staff of North West Metro Region, Division 5 extend their deepest sympathy to Andrea, Josh and James on the loss of Brian. Our thoughts are with you.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Sincere sympathy to our friend Andrea and Joshua and James on the loss of your beloved husband and father, Brian. He will be sadly missed
David, Rosemary, Linda, Sheryl, Judy, Grace, Alyx and all at North Balwyn Eye Clinic and Specialist Centre.
KILMARTIN. Brian. The Members of the Doncaster Junior Football Club are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our fellow member and friend. Sincere condolences to Andrea, Josh and James.
KILMARTIN. Brian. You will be missed by all of your old detective buddies and friends at the High Street Blues.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Thank you for your friendship, memories and wonderful sense of humour. You always made me laugh. I can’t believe you’re gone. Much love to Andrea, your beautiful boys and the Kilmartin family. Muzza Porter and family.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Sgt. 24519 Good man, great Sergeant Sadly missed by all at Reservoir Police Station.
KILMARTIN Brian Loved son-in-law of Judith Robinson, brother-in-law and uncle of Louise, Sarah and Aaron, Aimee, Samuel and Jessie Lucas; Peter, Sharon, Christopher, Laura and Alex Robinson; Paul, Elsa, Matthew and John Robinson. Simply the Best
KILMARTIN. Brian. Sergeant 24519 The Chief Commissioner, Officers and Employees of the Victoria Police Force regret the passing of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.
KILMARTIN. Brian. Cherished nephew and Godson of Bill (dec. ) and Marie Davies. Loved cousin of Jill, Denise, John, Anne, Nick and Cathy. Forever in our hearts
KILMARTIN. Brian Gerard. Loved brother of Dennis and Rosemary. Uncle of Thomas and Anna. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
KILMARTIN. Brian. From those heady days at Carlton and Fairfield until now. Killer, you will be sadly missed. Ray and Leanne Foster.
KILMARTIN. Brian. The President, Executive and Members of The Police Association mourn the passing of Sergeant Kilmartin and extend their deepest sympathy to his family. At Rest
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Northcote police officer posthumously honoured with Breavington Award
Julia Irwin, Northcote Leader
A NORTHCOTE police officer known for quietly going beyond the call of duty was posthumously recognised for his outstanding service to the community.
Peers at Northcote police station were unanimous in their decision to honour the late Sergeant Brian Kilmartin with the Breavington Award, which was presented to his widow Andrea and sons Joshua, 16, and James, 14, after a ceremony at All Nations Park war memorial last week.
Sergeant Kilmartin died from heart failure on September 30 last year, aged 49.
The award for policing excellence is presented annually in memory of former Northcote police officer and World War II prisoner of war Corporal Rodney Breavington.
Northcote police Senior Sergeant David Yates described the late Sergeant Kilmartin as a dedicated, kind and caring police officer.
“He was particularly caring when it came to the elderly,” Sen-Sgt Yates said.
“When an elderly man was reported missing in Fairfield, Brian came back on his own time and continued the search. That was the kind of man he was.”
During Tuesday’s ceremony, a plaque honouring Sergeant Kilmartin and former posthumous Breavington Award winners Senior Constables Mark Bateman and Fiona Robinson (killed in a car crash in May 2000), was unveiled on the war memorial usually reserved for military personnel.
Corporal Rodney Breavington, a former Fairfield resident, was executed by the Japanese in Singapore in 1942 during World War II after escaping from a prison camp where thousands of allies were held.
He and three other prisoners were forced to dig their own graves before facing a firing squad.
Breavington pleaded with his executioners to shoot him and free the other men but his captors ignored the plea.
He refused a blindfold and clutched a photo of his wife as he was shot dead.
Darebin RSL spokesman Bill Mountford said police, like other servicemen and women, put their lives on the line.
He said it was fitting that recipients of the Breavington Award who’d lost their lives while serving their communities should get recognition with a plaque on the war memorial.
But Mr Mountford said he hoped there would be no need for any more plaques to be awarded posthumously.
Probationary Constable – appointed 27 January 1989
Senior Constable – death
Stations: Windsor, Penrith HWP ( 9 years ), Manning Great Lakes LAC ( from April 2005 – 31 July 2007 ) Forster HWP – death
Service: From? ? 1988 to 31 July 2007 = 19+ years Service
Awards: Police Valour Award – presented on 7 August 2007 ( posthumously ),
Region Certificate of Appreciation,
State Emergency Service Medal.
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 5 July 1967
Died on: Tuesday 31 July 2007
Cause: Died from injuries received, as a pedestrian, whilst Off Duty, saving the life of another
Event location: Manning St, Tuncurry
Age: 40
Funeral date: Monday 6 August 2007
Funeral location: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Taree
Buried at: Manning Great Lakes Memorial Gardens Portion: Mon Row: B129
Memorial: 1/ NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, D30 ( left wall )
2/ Manning Great Lakes – Manning 206 HWP vehicle bearing personalised number plates
Paul William MORRIS & Tracey Fergus
Manning Great Lakes 206 ( Manning 206 )
Manning Great Lakes 206 ( Manning 206 )
[alert_green]PAUL is mentioned on the NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall at the SPC
D 30 Left Wall[/alert_green]
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The Daily Telegraph 31 July 2007
Pedestrian cop killed in smash
The scene… where two off-duty police officers were struck by a car on the NSW mid-north coast today.
AN off-duty policeman has died after being pinned between his car and a second vehicle which crossed to the wrong side of a road on the NSW mid-north coast, police say.
Senior Constable Paul Morris, 40, died on Wharf Street, Tuncurry about 12.55pm (AEST) today after he was struck by the car, NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said.
Mr Moroney said a second off-duty officer, a 36-year-old woman, was also injured in the incident but had been treated and released from Tuncurry Hospital.
“We understand at this time that a motor vehicle approached from the opposite direction and, for reasons yet to be established, it appears to have mounted a median strip,” Mr Moroney told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
“It has travelled onto the incorrect side of the road and struck Senior Constable Morris, who was pinned beside his vehicle. He was killed by his injuries.”
The incident was witnessed by fellow officers, police said in a statement.
Mr Moroney said the policeman was a single man who was “close friends” with his female colleague.
The driver of the other vehicle had been taken to hospital in a state of shock, he said.
Mr Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione were tonight on their way to Tuncurry.
Police Minister David Campbell offered sympathy to the families of the two officers.
Highway patrol officers “held back tears” as NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney offered them support over the death of an off-duty colleague in a freak car accident.
One witness told police Senior Constable Paul Morris died as he pushed his girlfriend, an off-duty officer who was injured in the incident, out of the way of an out-of-control car on the NSW mid-north coast on Tuesday.
Snr Const Morris, 40, died on Wharf Street, Tuncurry, about 12.55pm (AEST) after he was struck by the reversing car that pinned him to his own vehicle, police said.
A 36-year-old woman, who was in a relationship with Snr Const Morris, was also injured in the incident but had been treated at Manning Base Hospital and discharged.
Mr Moroney and Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione rushed to Tuncurry late on Tuesday to console local officers, some of whom saw the fatal collision.
Tony Ritchie, spokesman for the commissioner, said Mr Moroney and Mr Scipione also visited Snr Const Morris’ parents on Tuesday night to offer their support.
“There was a gathering of highway patrol officers in another house,” Mr Ritchie said.
“They walked through, shared the comfort, shook hands and watched as big men held back tears as they talked about friends.
“Same with the parents, they offered what comfort they could.”
Mr Ritchie described the collision near the Bellevue Hotel, a favourite haunt of off-duty police, as “freakish”.
He said it appeared the car that hit the officers, described as a silver Subaru station wagon by one witness, became locked in reverse as it tried to park.
Another witness told police the car’s tyres were smoking as it veered out of control, he said.
“(Snr Const Morris) was standing on a median strip, he was just about to walk across the road to get into his car,” Mr Ritchie said.
“He had to literally walk across one lane to get into his car and (another) car in some bizarre way somehow locked itself into reverse and comes veering across one lane … over the median strip and knocked him further across the road into his car.
“(The car) could have been one foot either way, six inches either way and (Snr Const Morris) would have said ‘Gee, what was that all about’.”
Mr Moroney’s spokesman said police were still looking for witnesses but one had told them Snr Const Morris tried to save his girlfriend.
“One of the witnesses said he’s pushed her out of the way as the car’s come across the road,” he said.
“But (the witness was) looking the other way, mind you, and it was all in a split second.”
Mr Ritchie said police were still considering whether it was appropriate to charge the driver of the Subaru, who was also injured in the incident.
THE distraught girlfriend of a policeman who died while pushing her from the path of an out-of-control car has described how the hero officer’s actions saved her life.
Tracey Fergus was yesterday suffering physical injuries and a broken heart after the death of Senior Constable Paul Morris, her boyfriend of four years.
As the couple crossed the main street of Tuncurry, on the NSW mid-North Coast, on Tuesday afternoon a car suddenly reversed towards them.
Sen-Constable Morris tried to push Ms Fergus, who is also a police officer, out of the way, but both were struck by the vehicle.
The off-duty highway patrol officer took the full force of the car and died at the scene from massive injuries.
“That was Paul, he tried to push me out of the way as best he could,” a shattered Ms Fergus told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
“He was the best person in the world. He had a heart of gold.”
Nursing visible injuries from the incident, Ms Fergus smiled as her boyfriend’s family told of his three great loves – his girlfriend, his family and his fishing. “I sometimes wonder if fishing might have come first,” Ms Fergus said with a smile.
Just three weeks ago, Ms Fergus organised a surprise 40th birthday party for Sen-Constable Morris.
“I didn’t know whether he’d kill me for organising it or if he’d be OK about it,” Ms Fergus said.
But there was no mistaking how the policeman felt about the gesture.
The officer’s mother Marie Morris revealed: “He said to me afterwards ‘Mum, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me’.”
The investigation into the incident continued yesterday, with crash unit officers from Newcastle closing off Manning St in the town centre while they retraced the pair’s movements.
Sen-Constable Morris and Ms Fergus had been to a shop and were on a median strip waiting to get back to their car when the accident happened.
“It looks as if he’s been reversing back and somehow he’s come spearing across and hit the two officers, who were standing on the median strip,” a police spokesman said.
The 61-year-old male driver of the car was assisting police with inquiries late yesterday.
A full police funeral will be held for Sen-Constable Morris next week.
“He was a terrific policeman and he had the best group of workmates you could ever have,” his mother said.
The officer’s grieving colleagues visited his family after the accident, as did Police Commissioner Ken Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scippione.
Workmates struggling to come to terms with the popular officer’s death have been offered counselling.
REST IN PEACE SENIOR CONSTABLE Paul MORRIS
31 July 2007
NSW POLICE FORCE
A DEVOTED partner, professional colleague and great mate is how Senior Constable Paul Morris will be remembered.
His three great loves in life were his partner Tracey, his family and his fishing, although not necessarily in that order – his brother Peter revealed at his funeral service.
Hundreds of people attended the full police funeral at Taree’s Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church including Commissioner Ken Moroney, Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione and colleagues from Sydney and the Manning Great Lakes.
The Manning Great Lakes highway patrol officer was killed in a freak traffic accident in Tuncurry last Tuesday.
In an act of bravery, the off duty officer who was standing in Manning St with his partner Senior Constable Tracey Fergus, jumped in front of her, protecting her from an out of control car which had crossed the median strip.
He bore the the brunt of the impact and later died at the scene.
Senior Constable Morris joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee in 1988 and later assigned to Windsor following successful training. He moved into the highway patrol sector and this included a nine year period with the Penrith Highway Patrol. He successfully transferred to Manning Great Lakes Command in April 2005 where he continued his role in keeping the road toll down.
Commissioner Moroney said Senior Constable Morris’ death was a tragic loss.
“Senior Constable Paul Morris was the type of professional police officer the NSW Police Force could not afford to lose.”
He added he was honoured to confirm Senior Constable Morris had been appointed a posthumous commendation for bravery in recognition of his actions in Tuncurry last Tuesday when he put his own life on the line to protect his partner Senior Constable Tracey Fergus.
“I pay a special tribute to his partner Tracey and parents Bill and Marie for the dedication and support they unreservedly gave to Paul throughout his career. I offer my deepest sympathy on his tragic and untimely death.”
Peter told the congregation his brother’s death had left a huge hole in their lives.
“We have lost our best mate,” he said.
“While he may not be here in body he will be here in spirit.
“He had one of the biggest hearts. Paul you are our hero and we won’t forget you.”
A message read on behalf of Tracey gave a true picture of her life partner.
“He was a true gentleman. He was my soul mate. Not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face or come out with a cheeky one-liner.
“It’s not often in a lifetime you meet a man like Paul Morris.
“Thank you for honouring him.”
Local Area Commander Superintendent Peter Thurtell said Senior Constable Morris was a true professional, working hard to keep local roads safe.
“Paul was our friend and he will always be.
“Paul was our colleague and he will always be.
“He was the essence of what is good about policing and he will always be.”
“Tomorrow and beyond the police family will now turn its attention to Tracey.
“This is, I believe, how Paul would have insisted it be.”
Senior Constable Paul Morris posthumously received the Certificate of Service, Region Certificate of Appreciation and State Emergency Service Medal.
Selfless act of a courageous man … police colleagues carry the coffin of Sen-Constable Paul Morris. Picture: Rob McKell
ON crutches and visibly injured, Tracey Fergus yesterday recalled the golden heart of her hero boyfriend who sacrificed his life to save hers.
The injured policewoman smiled bravely as she accepted a police valour award for Senior-Constable Paul Morris at his funeral service.
He was killed last Tuesday while pushing Ms Fergus out of the path of an out-of-control car. The couple had been crossing the main street in Tuncurry, on the mid-North Coast, when a car driven by an elderly man veered towards them.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told mourners at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Taree that it was the quick-thinking actions of Sen-Constable Morris in pushing Ms Fergus out of way that saved her life.
“He is awarded for his selflessness and courage and for the swift and evasive action to remove his partner out of harm’s way,” Mr Moroney said.
In tributes farewelling the officer, the congregation heard of Sen-Constable Morris’s love of life, his family, his friends and his job in highway patrol – a role he carried out for 19 years.
“He was a highly regarded and respected man who served the community with courage, honour and distinction,” Mr Moroney said.
Despite her injuries, Ms Fergus smiled graciously as she accepted the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage medal on Sen-Constable Morris’s behalf.
In a eulogy read on her behalf, Ms Fergus said Sen-Constable Morris was a gentle, loving and caring man who had a heart of gold.
“Paul was a true gentleman not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face,” Ms Fergus wrote in the eulogy.
Superintendent Peter Thurtell described Sen-Const Morris as the “consummate professional” with an love of highway patrol.
“His colleagues looked forward to working a shift with him because they could be guaranteed hard work as well as good fun and lots of laughter,” Supt Thurtell said. “He is the essence of what is good about policing and he will always be.”
At the end of the funeral service, Sen-Constable Morris’s coffin was driven through a guard-of-honour, formed by officers who gathered to to farewell their colleague.
In a tribute to the highway patrolman, the procession was lead from the church by his former police car, Manning 206.
GPS of Grave: Lat: -34.4880559530445 Long: 150.81964650639043
Memorial: NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, A29 ( left wall )
Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly
GRAEME is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance* NOT WORK RELATED
Death of Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly, 52 old around 11.30am, today, Friday 16 August 2013, who was riding his push bike with a mate around Lake Illawarra ( the actual lake ) this morning and was riding up Mt. Terry when he stopped and said to his mate that he didn’t feel well.
Whilst standing next to his bike, he suffered a massive heart attack.
An Off Duty passing Paramedic commenced CPR and called for assistance. Helicopter assistance was also considered and I am informed that the Paramedics worked on Graeme for a lengthy and extended period and was conveyed to Hospital under Police escort but, unfortunately, he never regained consciousness from the time he fell.
He was aged 52 and was a Chief Inspector ( for those who don’t know him ) and a really nice bloke.
May he forever Rest in Peace and look over the rest of us.
The funeral for Graeme will take place on Monday, 26 August, at 1.00pm at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Harbour Street Wollongong. Guest’s to be seated by 12.40pm.
I would expect this to be a big funeral with standing room only – out onto the street.
He was a highly respected policeman who sought relief from his demanding role as chief inspector in his passion for cycling.
Tributes have flowed for long-serving officer Graeme Donnelly, 52, who died of a heart attack while riding around Lake Illawarra last Friday.
Friend and cycling companion Wally Erven said Insp Donnelly loved cycling because it allowed him to de-stress.
“Being in the police force, it gave him a separation,” he said.
Insp Donnelly was the father of junior Australian cycling champion Aaron Donnelly – and Mr Erven said the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree.
“Aaron’s not a professional cyclist for no reason – it’s in his genes and he got that from his father.”
Wollongong acting superintendent Tim Beattie said the policing community had been shocked to learn of Insp Donnelly’s death.
Insp Donnelly spent his career based in Wollongong until about 12 months ago when he transferred to Sydney and was attached to a specialist police unit.
“Graeme was a highly respected member of the police force who performed a significant amount of his service in the Illawarra area,” Supt Beattie said. “He is regarded by all those who knew him as being a good bloke.”
A tribute has also been posted on the Cycling NSW website.
“His loss is greatly felt by the Illawarra Cycle Club and the NSW cycling community,” the statement read.
Insp Donnelly’s funeral will be held at Wollongong Catholic Cathedral, 36 Harbour Street, at 1pm on Monday.
He was one of a kind and his death will leave a hole in the life of his family, friends and the police force.
On Monday a sea of blue police uniforms surrounded an overflowing St Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral in Wollongong as officers paid their last respects to Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly.
Insp Donnelly, 52, died on August 16 after having a heart attack while riding around Lake Illawarra with friends.
Yesterday his cycling companions joined police colleagues and formed a guard of honour stretching from the cathedral along Harbour St.
Insp Donnelly’s colleague Peter Lindwall and friend Neil Foster gave a joint eulogy.
They described the high-ranking officer’s passion for the police force and his love for his wife Kerri and sons Aaron and Brad.
Mr Lindwall said the sheer number of fellow officers in attendance, including NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, was testament to how highly Insp Donnelly had been regarded in the community.
“He was a person no-one ever had a bad word to say about,” Mr Lindwall said.
He also made reference to Insp Donnelly’s previous career as a butcher and his skills behind a barbecue.
In a statement read at yesterday’s service, Aaron Donnelly said his father’s entire life had been dedicated to helping others.
“I don’t think there’s a person here who hasn’t been impacted by his kindness,” he said.
Mr Donnelly’s wife Kerri said her husband had been a “selfless” man who gave his time “to so many people”.
In a statement also read to the service, she recalled how proud he had been when his Brad announced he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer.
Mr Scipione also spoke at the service and posthumously awarded Insp Donnelly the National Police Service Medal.
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 GRAVE OF GRAEME FRANCIS DONNELLY GRAVE IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROAD, PAST THE NEW CRYPTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING BUILT WHICH ARE ALSO ON THE EAST AND TO THE NORTH OF THE OFFICE. THE GRAVE IS ABOUT 3 – 4 ROWS BACK FROM THE ROADWAY AND FACES AWAY FROM THE ROADWAY.
Grave location: Wollongong Memorial Gardens, Berkeley Rd, Berkeley, NSW
Retired Sgt Geoff Richens – taken in 2009
Geoff was stationed in the Illawarra area ( Wollongong & Warilla ) for many years leading up to his Retirement.
He was attached to Warilla HWP, Warilla Traffic Sergeant, Wollongong General Duties. He spent most of his service in the Illawarra.
Geoff stared his Police training at the Redfern Police Academy, Bourke St, Redfern on the 7 August 1967. He died on the 7 August 2013.
[blockquote]
May you forever Rest in Peace Geoff.
It was a pleasure working with you.
Cal
[/blockquote]
Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS, 66 old, former Regd. No. 12803.
Geoff passed away on 07/08/2013 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 10am on Thursday 15th Instant at Parsons Funeral Home, Princes Highway, BULLI.
Constable Geoff Richens – about 20 old.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
15 August 2013
Funeral for Retired Sgt Geoffrey Enoch RICHENS at Bulli.
Gabrielle Patricia McDONALD
| 10/12/2013
Gabrielle Patricia McDONALD – nee Eggleston
aka Gabby
late of Maryland
Wife to Andrew McDonald # 22289
NSW Police Academy Class # 242C
“possibly” a Rejoinee
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 26685
Rank: Commenced training at Goulburn Police Station on Sunday 30 July 1989 ( aged 19 years, 5 months, 5 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 25 January 1990 ( aged 19 years, 11 months, 0 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Detective Sergeant
Stations: ?, Inner City ( Sydney ), Newtown Detectives, Balmain ( 8 Division ), Newcastle, Lake Macquarie L.A.C., Northern Region Professional Standards
Service: From 30 July 1989 to 3 July 2013 = 23 years, 11 months, 3 days Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours
Born: Wednesday 25 February 1970
Died on: Wednesday 3 July 2013
Cause: Depression – Suicide – hanging – ON DUTY
Previous attempt in 2012 inside Newcastle Police Stn
Age: 43 years, 4 months, 8 days
Funeral date: Thursday 11 July 2013 @ 11am
Funeral location: Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, Sandgate Rd, Shortland
GABBY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance – Canberra
* BUT SHOULD BE. Last checked 2 Aug 2019 24 Jan 2024
GABBY IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance – NSW Domain
Grave location:
Grave of Gabrielle Patricia McDONALD – nee Gabby Eggleston
Class 242C Goulburn – Attested 25 January 1990 Gabby EGGLESTON, Front row, 3rd from right
Late of Maryland
Gabrielle passed away on 03/07/2013.
Her funeral is proposed to be held at 11am on Thursday 11th Instant at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, 262 Sandgate Road, SHORTLAND.
Dearly loved wife of ANDREW, loving mother of JESSICA and JOSH. Loved daughter and daughter-in-law of CARMEL and NORM (dec’d) EGGLESTON, FRAN and WARREN McDONALD.
Sister and sister-in-law of PETER and MAREE, MEL and JULIE, MARIA and MARK, ANDREW and AREEYA, ANGELA and MARK, SUE and STEVE, PATRICK and CAROLINE, NICOLE and NIGEL, GREG and loved aunty of their FAMILIES.
The Relatives and Friends of GABRIELLE are warmly invited to attend her Funeral to be held in Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, Sandgate Rd, Shortland on THURSDAY 11/7/13 Funeral Liturgy commencing at 11am. An interment will follow at Sandgate Lawn Cemetery.
Family of NSW policewoman who took her own life suing state for millions
Exclusive by the National Reporting Team’s Lorna Knowles
Updated
The family of a policewoman who took her own life is suing the state of New South Wales for millions of dollars, for allegedly failing to protect her from harm.
[blockquote]
Key points:
Andrew McDonald has filed three negligence claims against the state
The claim alleges his wife did not receive adequate care after attending several traumatic incidents
It also alleges police failed to investigate a previous suicide attempt
Newcastle mother-of-two Sergeant Gabrielle McDonald developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression after witnessing a string of horrific incidents on the job.
She took her own life on July 3, 2013, the day after a police medical officer had declared her as fit for duty.
Her husband Andrew McDonald has filed three negligence claims against the state of NSW on behalf of himself and his two children, Jessica and Joshua.
His statement of claim, filed to the NSW District Court, said over the course of her career, McDonald attended numerous traumatic incidents, including domestic disputes, assaults, car accidents, suicides and murders.
She was particularly distressed by the drowning of a 17-year-old boy in 2009 and a double road fatality in 2010, but did not receive any counselling, debriefing or monitoring after the incidents, the statement of claim alleges.
In late 2010, she was promoted to Detective Sergeant in the Professional Standards Unit, Northern Region. But she struggled with the heavy workload, which included two stints relieving for her supervisor.
In 2012, McDonald attempted suicide in an office at the Newcastle police station, but police never investigated the incident.
“It’s investigation 101,” Mr McDonald, who was also a police officer, told the ABC.
“That’s what police do and it’s appalling that it was never done.”
Police medical officer found suicide attempt ‘was not genuine’
The day before McDonald took her own life, she was sent to see a police medical officer, Dr Naresh Verma.
Mr McDonald told the ABC, Dr Verma determined her previous suicide attempt was not genuine and he did not believe she had PTSD.
“All the staff thought well, OK, things must be on the improve, maybe Gabrielle is not sick at all, maybe she’s pulling the wool over our eyes and that was clearly wrong,” Mr McDonald said.
Dr Verma did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The police force determined that McDonald should be transferred to another police station the next day.
According to the statement of claim, she was summoned to a meeting without warning and without a support person to be told she was being moved.
McDonald left the meeting in a distressed state, drove to a state forest and took her life.
Mr McDonald said he had one last telephone conversation with his wife.
“She said I can’t go on any more. I’m not getting better. I’m such a burden. They keep kicking me down at work. All I’m trying to do is keep my hours up. You know, this is hopeless,” he said.
“And I said: ‘You can’t do this’. I pleaded with her and begged her not to.
“She said I love you and the kids. We talked about all the things we’d done together, but nothing I said would make sense to her, she was just that determined to do it”.
McDonald ‘did not receive proper monitoring’
Mr McDonald’s lawyers allege that the police service ought to have known the meeting would cause her distress and that she was at risk of self harm.
They allege the NSW police force was negligent because it failed to maintain a safe system of work to avoid injury to McDonald.
It had also allegedly failed to provide her with adequate training to perform her duties and to take precautions for her safety, “putting her in a position of peril”.
The service is also accused of failing to provide adequate training on how to recognise the symptoms of psychiatric injury.
“The deceased did not receive any or proper monitoring of her condition while she continued to work in a stressful environment,” the claim states.
The claim also alleges the police force had failed to devise a system for the flagging of police officers involved in numerous distressing or traumatic incidents.
As a result of its negligence, McDonald had suffered a major depressive disorder, chronic PTSD, alcohol abuse and death by suicide, it is alleged.
Mr McDonald said he now suffered from an adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety.
He was on track to become a superintendent, before he was medically retired.
He is claiming about $900,000 in future lost earnings, in addition to damages and interest. He is also seeking damages on behalf of his two children.
Damages are limited to $750,000 in the NSW District Court, but it does have the discretion to lift the cap.
In a statement to the ABC, the NSW police force said it could not comment specifically on the tragic circumstances which led to the death of a serving officer.
“NSW police continues to improve its practices and procedures, having made significant advances over many years to minimise the psychological impact of policing duties on our officers, who frequently undertake stressful and difficult work,” the statement said.
“As a major priority, NSW police encourages the reporting of these impacts and offers a range of services to support, guide and educate our staff.
“These support services are comprehensive and effective.
“It is well understood that every officer’s circumstances are unique and most often extremely complex with regard to the impacts of psychological injury.”
Gabby was my partner Newtown D’s. She was rock solid, loyal and supportive. She spoke her mind and was honest in opinion and views.
Gabby was from the Eggleston family of the Hunter & loved horses and racing. She taught riding to kids with patience & care. Gabby also helped place horses with the Mounted Section NSW Police.
Along with Gabby & Deb Hayton, we had a tough feminine perspective to our office in the 90’s.
Sad to know when she was in need, Gabby felt alone.
Gabby was loved by many and will be missed by all!
Buried at: Kanahooka Lawn Cemetery, Eastern side before office, several rows from roadway
Memorials: Bev Lawson Trailblazer’s Award – National Women in Policing
BEV is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
Bev Lawson suffered from a stroke in her Tarrawanna (Wollongong) home on 21 January 1998 as she prepared to attend the funeral of a retired Police woman, Ruth Styles, at a country centre.
Ruth Styles was an Inspector having previously been stationed at Warilla NSW.
Bev Lawson was transported to Wollongong Hospital and died at 10.20am on the 22 January, 1998 in Intensive Care.
Her funeral was held at Figtree on the 28 January, 1998.
Bev was aged 58 at the time of her death.
Because Bev, and other females of her time, were only ” Sworn In ” as ” Special Constable ” – I am not sure where Bev exactly sat in relation to ” Seniority ” within her Academy Class. Her other classmates ( Males ) who were ” Sworn In ” as Probationary Constables, had the Registered numbers 10985 to 11085 ( roughly ).
Under the current Registered number system, Bev would have slotted into a number somewhere within that range.
A look back at 33 years of the Illawarra Police Charity Ball – in photos
It all started when a cop stopped to ponder the difficulties facing cancer patients forced to travel to Sydney for treatment, writes Cydonee Mardon.
Wollongong was home to one of the most influential police women of our time.
Bob Burrage, Susie Elleman, Bev Lawson, Shelley Fort & Darren Kelly
Bev Lawson was the first female superintendent, the first female chief superintendent, first district commander and in 1996 she became the first female deputy commissioner of NSW.
Deputy Commissioner Bev Lawson in 1998.
Not only did she pave the way for women in policing, but she gave birth to a tradition that has raised thousands of dollars and helped thousands of people across the Illawarra.
In 1985, Sergeant Lawson, of the Wollongong patrol, wanted to find a way to bring police and the community together in a social setting.
But her main purpose was to help people in need.
Money raised from the 2011 police charity ball went to Motor Neurone Disease Services at Port Kembla Hospital. Motor Neurone sufferers Cathy Buzak, and Paul Nixon with Superintendent Wayne Starling got to experiment with iPads to communicate.
A survivor of breast cancer, then Sgt Lawson was all too familiar with the struggles that people in the region had accessing treatment in Sydney.
The emotional and physical burden of distance was something that concerned her.
So she set about organising a charity ball to raise funds that could help patients get to Sydney.
The first charity ball became a reality on Friday, August 1, 1986 at The Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow.
There were 200 guests.
Raffle prizes included a $1000 travel voucher from Ansett, a microwave oven and $200 worth of house paint.
We are really proud of the amount of money we have raised as a community and the help we’ve been given to so many important services in the Illawarra.
Money raised was donated to Bulli Hospital’s palliative care ward and the Wollongong Cancer Awareness Support Group.
Both causes were close to Bev’s heart. She had been in remission for nearly five years.
In 2012, Assistant Commissioner Michael Fuller, Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn, Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and Superintendent Wayne Starling.
”When we were considering these options, I thought about people having to travel to Sydney daily for their treatment,” she said at the time.
“I really don’t know how some of them get up there, or more specifically how they cope.”
The ball then became a vehicle to reach out to the community – a way of encouraging charities to speak up and a way for the police to show they were about more than locking up crooks.
A partnership was born that has so far netted $320,000.
At the time of her death from a stroke in January 1998, Ms Lawson was Australia’s highest-ranking female police officer and even as she rose through the ranks, she and her family remained strong supporters of the ball.
“Her vision of a community working together to benefit those in need still remains strong and has been adopted by the current committee,” said Inspector John Klepczarek.
“It’s always been the criteria that the ball has to has to help the local community.
“We tend to shy away from the big charities that get lots of donations and we pick those that struggle or are less heard of,” he said.
“One year we raised money for an entire kitchen to feed the homeless … another time it was ipads for pallative care patients at Port Kembla hospital.”
Bruce Rowles from Aspect South Coast School in Corrimal with Inspector Bryan Rugg and little Arvon Allott. Picture: Adam McLean
“We had a year where a couple went through bad trots with young babies so we put money towards Wollongong Hospital’s children’s ward.”
One of the committee’s proudest associations is with the University of Wollongong’s graduate school of medicine and clinical skills. Each year the top-placed student who dedicates their services to regional nursing receives the Illawarra Police Charity Ball medal.
Inspector Klepczarek, who was committee president for 15 years and current vice-president, said the most well-attended ball to date was the year police officers farewelled then Assistant Commissioner Christine Nixon.
Some 450 people attended the ball to pay tribute to the Wollongong commander who went on to become Victoria’s police commissioner.
She’s one of many of the top brass who graced the dance floor over the years.
Commissioners Peter Ryan, Tony Lauer, Ken Moroney and Andrew Scipioni are just a few. Plain clothes notables who’ve made an appearance include Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, former NSW Governor Maria Bashir and even reality TV personality for a time, Big Brother winner Peter Corbett.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will attend this year’s ball on July 27 at the Wollongong University Hall. The venue is testimony to the growth and popularity of the event since those early days at the Frat.
Children with autism will benefit. Aspect South Coast School caters for more than 130 students across the Illawarra, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven local council areas.
The ball committee meets in January every year to decide which charity will next benefit.
“It’s not a police event, it’s a community event. We get more people attending who aren’t police officers. We are extremely proud we’ve been able to carry on the work of Bev Lawson and keep her vision alive.”
To have your charity considered, write to the Illawarra Police Charity Ball Committee, PO Box 430, Wollongong 2500. Visit www.policecharityball.com.au
Two people have been arrested after a senior police officer died after sustaining critical injuries in an axe attack in Sydney’s north-west.
Police say Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson was among a number of officers called to a dispute between neighbours at ScheyvilleRoad in Oakville about 2pm (AEDT).
About two hours later, Detective Inspector Anderson was seriously injured in what is understood to have been an axe attack.
Det Insp Bryson Anderson killed with an axe on Thu 061212
After treatment by paramedics he was rushed to Windsor Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said a 19-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman had been arrested at the scene and taken to Windsor Police Station where they were assisting investigators with their inquiries.
Mr Scipione said Detective Inspector Anderson was from a police family and had left a wife and three children.
“They are, as you imagine, distraught, but taking strong support from not only their immediate family, but the police family.
“We will console officers that were part of this particular operation.
“They, as you would also imagine, are traumatised and all support services have been put around them.
“I’ve got to say the strength and courage that is being shown inside (the hospital), not only by the police that are there, but also by the family, is incredible.”
Photo: Police say the officer was called to a dispute between neighbours in Oakville.
Det Insp Bryson Anderson killed with an axe on Thu 061212
Mr Scipione said he could not provide too many details of the events leading up to the attack given the investigation was in its early stages.
“I understand the (neighbourhood) dispute did involve the use of some weapons, but again having said that, we want to get to the bottom of this investigation before we start making too many statements,” he said.
“Suffice to say it was a violent neighbourhood incident that caused the police to attend and there were many police there.
“Some time after they first attended, there was an interaction which led to the death of Inspector Anderson.
“I understand they were trying to communicate with affected parties and were looking to resolve this peacefully.”
Mr Scipione said Detective Inspector Anderson had worked for him more than 10 years ago and paid tribute to his skills as an investigator.
“He was nothing short of a role model to those officers that come after him,” he said.
“Today is a stark reminder how dangerous this job is. These people do this in such a way they put their lives before the lives of others.
“You have an idea what the price is today.”
Anyone with information about the incident are being asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers website.
RIP Bryson
A tribute from our Commissioner
Today ( Wednesday 12 December 2012) we honour a brave man. Bryson Anderson. A police officer, and so much more.
A man who was so deeply respected by the community in which he lived, worked and devoted much of his spare time.
A true man of the people. His service to the community was far greater than simply those days when he wore that blue uniform with such pride and distinction. And of course, Bryson was a loving husband, father and brother to his own family. To this family we owe so much. A debt of gratitude for the support you gave Bryson as he went about his duties. Police officers understand that each day they go to work, they put their lives on the line. This tragedy reminds us all of the sacrifice that goes with that understanding. Our community will always rely on men and women of courage who are willing to put up their hands to serve and protect. Bryson Anderson stood tall in their ranks. Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, friend, you have left us with an enduring legacy, a standard to which we can all aspire and for which we are forever grateful. You will always be remembered.
Andrew Scipione
12 December 2012
Valedictory for Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson
Date
As delivered by NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM
At 3.30pm on the 6th of December 2012, Detective Inspector Bryson Charles Anderson arrived at the scene of a neighbourhood dispute at Oakville near Windsor that had escalated beyond all reason.
He went to lend support to fellow officers who were seeking to bring matters to a peaceful resolution.
It was not to be.
The approach of police was resisted and Detective Inspector Anderson was fatally wounded.
Detective Inspector Anderson was rushed by ambulance to Hawkesbury Hospital but died as a result of his injuries.
Bryson Charles Anderson began his career as a trainee police officer on the 18th of August 1986 and attested on the 7th of November 1986.
His first general duties posting was here in Parramatta. That was followed by others to Granville and Ermington.
While at Granville in 1991, Constable First Class Anderson commenced criminal investigation duties, successfully gaining his designation as a Detective in November 1993.
Bryson’s designation was a defining moment in his policing career and he quickly displayed an aptitude and an enthusiasm for criminal investigation that was soon recognised by his commanding officers.
At Castle Hill, Task Force Boyne, Ermington, Rosehill and then within Special Crime and Internal Affairs, Bryson honed his detective skills. He was dedicated, analytical and meticulous.
A thoroughly good bloke. I worked with Bryson … and I can vouch for that.
In 2004, promoted to sergeant, Bryson returned to general duties. This time it was to Hawkesbury Local Area Command, where he was to spend three years as a supervisor.
In 2007criminal investigation was again to beckon, Bryson seizing the opportunity to return to Special Crime and Internal Affairs … now known as Professional Standards … where he applied his skills to covert investigations. There he was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector in 2009.
What was to prove Bryson’s final posting was back in Hawkesbury. He took up the role of Duty Officer in Hawkesbury Local Area Command on the 19th of December 2010, and served with distinction in that role until the moment of his passing.
Throughout his service Detective Inspector Anderson undertook extensive internal training in his chosen policing specialisation.
He was awarded the NSW Police Medal; the National Medal; as well as the first and second clasps to the NSW Police Medal.
In 2003 he received a Commissioner’s Unit Citation for highly professional investigations.
He will posthumously receive the first clasp to the National Medal and the third clasp to the NSW Police Medal.
Impressive as they are, the bare facts I have recounted do Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson little justice. Those who knew him … know that Bryson the man transcended … in achievements and in potential … any chronology of this type.
Those that know it best of all are Bryson’s wife, Donna, and his three children, Olivia, Darcy and Cain. It is with them that Bryson, devoted husband and father, was closest. And it is they who, tragically, must now manage without his love, strength and support.
Bryson’s father, Rex; mother, Shirley; and brothers Warwick and Damian also know the calibre of the man. Bryson’s is a profound loss, but be assured his life was just as profound a credit to you. I know for certain that he enriched the lives of all of us in the NSW Police Force who had the good fortune to know him.
What the record does not disclose is Bryson’s wholehearted embrace of community service.
Even when on holiday, Bryson was thinking of what he could do for others. On packing his bags last year for Vanuatu, in with the board shorts and sunscreen he found room for gifts and sporting equipment for the local village kids.
The demands of policing are great: more than enough for most of us, and often more than a full-time job. But not for Bryson. He was retained as a fire-fighter, serving for eight years between 1994 and 2002 at Number 81 Station, Windsor, rising to the rank of Deputy Captain.
And it didn’t stop there. Bryson coached a number of junior soccer teams for the Colo Soccer Club. And on the day before he died he took part in the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, held in Windsor, an event which five months earlier he volunteered to organise.
Bryson loved the Hawkesbury area, where he lived and worked most of his adult life.
And innumerable people, from the Hawkesbury and elsewhere, loved and admired Bryson in return. His personnel file is full to overflowing with complimentary remarks and letters of appreciation, many from the community and victims of crime, moved to write in gratitude for the care, dedication and professionalism with which he went about his work.
In Vanuatu, upon hearing of his passing, the villagers whose lives Bryson had so selflessly touched while on holiday held a service in his memory.
He was equally admired by his fellow police officers, myself among them. On the one hand, a tenacious and committed police officer, driven to pursue offenders for the darkest and most serious of crimes. Yet retaining the most extraordinary empathy, compassion and concern for the victims of those crimes.
He showed initiative and leadership; intelligence and perseverance; dedication and humility; and, memorably, a ready smile and an engaging way. Bryson drew people to him, without guile and without effort. The workplace was a better place for him being there.
The tributes from his fellow officers were immediate and many. They tell variously of a proud husband and father, a keen motor cyclist, an active participant in sporting clubs, and, invariably, of a superb police officer.
He made his vast store of policing wisdom available to young officers but never imposed it. More likely were those officers to hear from Bryson an encouraging “Just play your natural game, it’s first class” – one of his favourite sayings – to go with some tip or insight he’d somehow manage to convey.
Reflecting on her career, one officer … echoing the thoughts of many others I am sure, wrote: “Bryson you are an amazing officer and an even nicer gentleman. I formed this opinion 20 years ago as a naïve female probationary constable. I still hold the same opinion now. You will be truly missed”
There can be no doubt Bryson will be missed.
He lived for the community, died serving it and deserved much better.
His death reminds us that law and order are not givens. They come at a price and that price, on occasion, is a prohibitive one.
With Bryson’s death we realise, suddenly, even if belatedly, that ours is a society worth defending.
We realise that our hard won freedoms and protections are vulnerable and easily demolished.
We realise that not only is each individual’s life precious and fragile … but that so too is our way of life.
We meet Bryson’s death with grief and tears, but that can’t be allowed to suffice.
If he could lend us his voice, I’m sure Bryson would agree that now is not the time to be timid or defensive. It is not a time to be apologetic, nor a time for retreat.
The anger and regret we all feel – for Bryson’s sake and for the sake of all of the officers who have fallen before him – need to find constructive expression. As a society we need to rise up to repudiate violence, however and wherever we can, with all the energy we can muster.
For his wider police family … of which all police officers and their families are a part … Bryson’s death will neither be forgotten nor be in vain. Bryson’s courage and conviction inspire us now … and will into the future. We will continue to protect and serve the community as Bryson did. Of that he can be sure.
It is my honour today to posthumously confer two awards on Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson.
The National Police Service Medal: recognising Bryson’s ethical and diligent service in protecting the community.
And the Commissioner’s Valour Award for the conspicuous action and exceptional courage he displayed at the incident in Oakville where he lost his life. After being attacked with a knife and sustaining wounds that would prove fatal, Detective Inspector Anderson went to the aid of a fellow injured officer without hesitation.
In part the valour citation reads:
Conferred for conspicuous merit and exceptional bravery whilst under attack during the execution of his duties at Oakville on Thursday, 6 December 2012.
By his conspicuous actions and exceptional courage in a dangerous situation, Detective Inspector Anderson evinced the highest standards of the New South Wales Police Force and is so conferred with the Commissioner’s Valour Award.
I am deeply honoured, and indeed privileged, to be able to represent every member of the New South Wales Police Force here today to farewell a man who served his community with courage, honour, and distinction.
A loving husband and father.
A prized friend and colleague.
A police officer.
Our prayers are with you Bryson. May you rest in peace.
Homily for the Funeral Mass for Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Parramatta
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 02:57:38 PM
Any death is a loss. The death of a loved one before time is worse. A senseless, violent, innocent death is even more appalling. But a death in the line of duty hits us especially hard. Why is that?
Our word police comes from the Greek word polis, meaning the city-state, its citizens and civilisation. Police are appointed to keep order in the polis and protect persons and property. The word politician comes from the same root, for they too work for the people, with our bureaucracies and courts. Yet none of these is in the front-line the way police are.
We all shelter behind our police officers’ sense of law and order, their character and courage, their instincts, reactions, negotiating and other skills. Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson devoted his life to providing such shelter for his family, friends and community. He lived for this and this was a gift to us all; he died for this and this affronts us all.
His fellow officers also mourn his passing, as Commissioner Scipione testified. I first got to know the Commissioner and his people in the lead-up to World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. It was a time when hundreds of thousands of youth threw them kisses and told them God loved them and they loved them. If only it was always so! One such beloved of God and people was described in our first Scripture reading today (Wisdom 4:7-15). Being virtuous, untarnished and God-pleasing, the man in that passage was ready for God sooner than most.
Bryson’s fellow officers tell me he was such a man, and that his integrity inspired them. That his death has left them in shock is a sign of that bond within the police family said to be as thick as blood.
Of course, policing was literally in Bryson’s blood, as his father and brother both served in the force, Rex for many years here in Parramatta. When I saw Donna and the family after the terrible news, there were policemen present as if they were his own brothers. Such a death must make all officers aware of their own mortality, must bring to the surface daily anxiety for the safety of the public, their comrades and themselves, and so too for beloved spouses who might be widowed or children orphaned. But it also brings out into the open their fraternity and courage.
Thousands are here today to pray for Bryson and the Anderson family, to share in their natural sorrow and supernatural hope. But proud as they must be and however comforted by our presence, they still have the very personal grief of ones who’ve lost husband, father, son and brother.
Perhaps they are asking themselves: How could an argument over a bird cage end so horribly? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God permit such things? Well, God could have made us robots, obedient to His every command. Instead He took the great ‘gamble’ of making us free, able to choose good or evil. He does everything to persuade, encourage, inspire us to live lives of service and self-sacrifice.
Some of us do. Most of us try. Some don’t. When bushfires, floods or other natural evils hurt innocent people, we know that these are part and parcel of a world that is beautiful and bountiful but has its own law and order.
The real mystery for us is man-made evil: why human beings do terrible things to each other, why they misuse the godlike gifts of freedom and intelligence. Like those in our first reading, we “look on uncomprehending”. Few of us will face death by an assailant’s knife or have that happen in our family. But when our own crosses come, we too must try to make some sense of it. In Jesus Christ, we believe, God fully embraced our human condition, including His own violent death as an innocent man before his time.
Why was it necessary for Christ to suffer? Because that was where humanity was. To redeem us, He had to go where we are. So God became a real human being, with friends and enemies, hopes and fears, who wept for His dead friend Lazarus, and later cried out tired, frightened, abandoned.
God in Jesus Christ is the great realist: no evasion, no false front, no easy escape; no pretending away the sin of the world or the suffering of ordinary lives. But He did what any man, any God-made-man, could do.
The problem of evil drives some to atheism, some to despair. But it draws some to the Crucified One, to unite their sufferings with His, as He united His whole being with them at Christmas and beyond.
This doesn’t ‘magic away’ all that is unpleasant; we may still ache that someone we love has been stolen from us. Our hearts may be troubled as Jesus’ was (John 12:27, 13:31). But in time faith can bring new perspective, the courage to face the human condition, the grace to grow through this stage of our life, and compassion for others who suffer also.
Any faith or philosophy worthy of us must face evil straight on. Every police officer knows this. Euphemisms and positive thinking will not do; neither will glorifying evil or emptying it of its mystery. From the side of the Crucified God flows the blood and water of human life and death. But from there, too, flows hope for every hurting heart, every fragile person, even for the dead.
2012 is the sesquicentenary of the New South Wales Police Force and was supposed to be a year of celebration for them. Yet it began with the killing of Senior Constable Dave Rixon and ends with the killing of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson. He is the 14th to be killed on duty since 1980. Death is no respecter of office, rank or character. And so this week a family, a force, a whole state join Christ in His Passion. We are joined with Him in His mortal combat with evil: proposing the good and beautiful and true to all; preventing violence and injustice where we can; comforting the victims, those who suffer for justice’s sake and those who mourn them.
In our Gospel passage, Christ called Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life for every troubled heart (John 14:1-6). His life offers us the way, as it did to Bryson, the way of justice, mercy and peace. Christ’s death offers us the truth, as it did for Bryson, the truth about human fragility and promise, freedom and intelligence for good or evil. And His Resurrection offers us the life, as it does for Bryson, life eternal for every noble soul.
2012 should have been a year of celebration for police officers and still it should be: a celebration of what is most worthy in the force and in those who bring it credit. It should have been a time of pride and joy for the Anderson family: that will come later, as they treasure what Bryson gave to them and to us all.
But for now: “We seem to be giving Bryson back to you, O God, who gave him to us.
Yet, as you did not lose him in giving him to us, so we do not lose him by his return. For
you do not give as the world gives, O Lover of souls: what you give you never take
away … For life is eternal, and love immortal, and death is only an horizon, and the
horizon is no more than the limit of our sight.
“Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further. Cleanse our tearful eyes that
we may see more clearly. Draw us closer to yourself, that we may know ourselves to be
nearer to Bryson, now that he is with you. And while you prepare a place for us (John
14:1-6), prepare us also for that happy place, that where you and he are, we may be
also, for evermore.” (Prayer of Fr Bede Jarrett OP)
Bryson ANDERSON IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
Mitchell Barbieri and his mother Fiona plead guilty to their roles in killing of decorated officer Bryson Anderson
Amy Dale
The Daily Telegraph
November 05, 201412:24PM
Police officers arrive for the trial for Fiona and Mitchell Barbieri charged with the murder of Inspector Bryson Anderson. They pleaded guilty to their roles in his death at the start of the trial this morning. Picture: John Grainger
THE mother and son charged with killing decorated police officer Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson have pleaded guilty on the morning their trial was due to start.
Detective inspector Bryson Anderson, 45, who was killed when he attended a neighbourhood dispute in Oakville on December 6, 2012.
Mitchell Barbieri pleaded guilty to murdering the 45 year old officer, while his mother, 47, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty of the officer’s manslaughter.
The pleas came as the jury were about to be empanelled and begin to hear the opening address.
Bryson Anderson was killed on December 6, 2012, after being called to the pair’s Oakville home, in Sydney’s north west.
Fiona Barbieri’s plea to manslaughter is being accepted on the grounds of “substantial impairment”, the court heard.
It is expected a sentencing hearing will take place next year.
Mitchell Barbieri, 21, is facing a mandatory life sentence without parole for murdering a police officer.
The Supreme Court was packed with family, colleagues and friends of Det Insp Anderson, some of whom shed tears as the guilty pleas were announced.
Artist impression of Fiona Barbieri and her son Mitchell in the dock of Central Local Court last year. Artist impression by Bernd Heinrich
Flanked by police officers, Det Insp Anderson’s brother Warwick Anderson thanked the investigating officers for their “support and strength” and the hard work of the DPP.
He said the family was very mindful of the officers who were with his brother on the day he died and who continued to suffer physical and psychological injuries.
“The thoughts, care and prayers of our family go out to them,” he told reporters outside court.
There was still a significant way to go for his family to come to terms with the “senseless and tragic loss of Bryson”, he said
Justice Robert Hulme adjourned the case until next Wednesday, when the Crown will begin calling evidence on sentence.
Defence counsel will give their submissions to court on November 24.
Family and friends of murdered Detective inspector Bryson Anderson and police
Funeral location: St Paul`s Anglican Church, Church St. Tamworth
Grave location: lawn portion of the Tamworth Regional Council Cemetery, Showground Rd. Tamworth.
GPS: -31.0903969, 150.9007111
David IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
David RIXON
David RIXON
Funeral for David Rixon
memorial plaque at the front of Tamworth Police Station.
Stubby cooler
SenCon David Rixon
Senior Constable
Father of six, shot and killed at Tamworth, NSW, Australia, today Friday 2 March 2012. May you forever Rest In Peace with the rest of our Brothers and Sisters who have paid the ultimate price in Policing.
There is a memorial fund to support the family of S/C Rixon who are dealing with a loss at this time. Donations can be made to this fund with the following details: Account name: David Rixon Memorial Fund, Account number : 269978 (add S1 at the end for Internal transfer by PCU members) Police Credit Union BSB: 815000
David and Fiona Rixon have six children.
David James RIXON – touch pad at National Police Wall of Remembrance, ACT
Details of Death:
Shortly before 0800hr on Friday, 2 March 2012, Senior Constable Rixon from Tamworth Highway Patrol stopped and spoke to the driver of a vehicle at 10-12 Lorraine Street, West Tamworth for the purposes of a random breath test. As Senior Constable Rixon approached the vehicle, the offender drew a firearm and shot him. Senior Constable Rixon was able to return fire from his service pistol, which hit the offender. Senior Constable Rixon was able to place ahandcuff on the offender, before he collapsed from his injuries and died at the scene. He was unable to be revived.
Senior Constable Rixon joined the New South Wales Police Service as a Trainee on 28 October 1990 and was attested as a probationary Constable at the New South Wales Police Academy, Goulburn on 26 April 1991.
He was initially posted to Hamilton Patrol in Newcastle and soon after was posted to Belmont Patrol.
He was confirmed as Constable on 26 April 1992.
He commenced duties in Highway Patrol at Waratah in the Hunter area on 12 February 1995, and shortly afterwards, on 7 May 1995, he transferred to Gunnedah Highway Patrol.
On 14 July 1996, Senior Constable Rixon transferred to Tamworth Highway Patrol, where he remained posted until the time of his death.
He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner‘s ValourAward.
RIXON, David James
Dearly loved husband of Fiona
Loving father of Renae, Jemma, Scott, Mathew, Hayley and Patrick.
Loved son, stepson and son-in-law of Gwen & Max Russell, Ken Rixon, Kathryn & Robert Brooking, loved step brother and brother-in-law of Katie and Beau, Tammy, Leanne (dec), Rachelle, Nadina and Damien.
The relatives and friends of David Rixon were respectfully invited to attend his funeral.
The Service was appointed to commence at 10.30 am, Thursday, 8th March, 2012, at St Paul`s Anglican Church, Church St. Tamworth, thence for interment in the lawn portion of the Tamworth Regional Council Cemetery, Showground Rd. Tamworth.
Presented to the family.
The inscription reads:
27947
Senior Constable
David James Rixon
Oxley Local Area Command
NSW Police Force
2nd March 2012
* * * * *See flyer for a huge fund-raising evening that we are holding at City Diggers Club, Wollongong, on the 2 June. As you can see the entertainment line up is unbelievable.Please feel free to share this flyer with your friends. $5,000 from the evening will be donated to the Senior Constable David Rixon Memorial Fund. David left behind a wife and 6 children when he was tragically killed recently. His friends from within the New South Wales Police have set a target of $1,000,000. This is our way of showing support. Please do not put off getting your tickets as we are capping the evening at 250.
NSW policeman honoured after on-duty death
It was meant to be a regular day for Tamworth police officer and father-of-six David Rixon.
The NSW highway patrol officer was carrying out a routine breath check in 2012 when the driver, Michael Jacobs, pulled out a revolver and shot him in the chest.
He returned fire, hitting Jacobs in the abdomen, leg and shoulder, called for back-up and handcuffed Jacobs before collapsing.
His killer went on to receive life-saving surgery and a life sentence.
But Senior Constable Rixon died at the scene, leaving behind a heartbroken wife and six children.
Three years later, he has been honoured for his bravery.
Sen Const Rixon is one of 25 people to receive an Australian Bravery Decoration on Wednesday from Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.
Mr Cosgrove says Sen Const Rixon and the other recipients are a source of courage, support and inspiration, but he acknowledged there can be devastating consequences resulting from their bravery.
“Sadly, there are those whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us,” he said.
“Today, to their families, I express the nation’s sadness at your loss but pride in your loved ones’ actions.”
The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community who selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.
The recipients are nominated by members of the public, with the governor-general deciding the awards.
They vary from Mustafa Ruhi Akkan and Nattapat Penpanussak, who helped police apprehend a man who stabbed three backpackers in 2000, to Jamie Alan Strong, for helping rescue two people trapped in a burning house in 2014.
One of the highest honours, the Star of Courage, is awarded to a 21-year-old RAAF pilot named James Wallace Hocking.
In 1944, he saved his crew and the English township of March by flying his stricken bomber away from civilian danger. He died when the plane crashed into a nearby field.
There are four levels of decoration and a Group Bravery Citation, an award for a group of people involved in a single incident. They are the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage, the Bravery Medal, Commendation for Brave Effort and the Group Bravery Citation.
Police Commissioner statement: “The NSW Police Force Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, has commended Senior Constable David Rixon for his service as a NSW Police Officer, following the announcement that he will receive a posthumous Australian Bravery Award.
Snr Cst Rixon died after being shot during what should have been a routine traffic stop in Tamworth on 2 March 2012.
Snr Cst Rixon stopped the man, believing him to be a disqualified driver, when the man produced a gun and shot him.
Despite being critically injured, Snr Cst Rixon returned fire and arrested the man.
Commissioner Scipione said Snr Cst Rixon was a deserving recipient of a posthumous Australian Bravery Award.
“Snr Cst Rixon died under tragic circumstances while protecting the community in what should have been a routine traffic stop,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“His death affected his family, friends, the local community, and the entire NSW Police Force; and today’s award is testament to the fact that his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“Snr Cst Rixon’s courage and conviction under incredibly difficult circumstances continues to inspire us and strengthen our resolve to protect the community,” Commissioner Scipione said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Troy Grant said this award is testament to the courage and dedication the men and women of the NSW Police Force display every day.
“Senior Constable Rixon put his life on the line to protect the community and he paid the ultimate price. “This award recognises his actions and his bravery on that day. “My thoughts are with Senior Constable Rixon‘s family and the NSW Police Force.”
An officer and a gentleman: Remembering Senior Constable David Rixon a year on
By Kitty Hill
March 1, 2013, noon
A SOMBRE anniversary falls today as police officers and community members join the family in remembering fallen Tamworth police officer Senior Constable David Rixon a year after his death.
On March 2, 2012, Senior Constable Rixon was fatally shot on a routine traffic stop in West Tamworth.
Senior Constable Rixon’s wife Fiona and their children will be joined by officers from across the state to mark the anniversary, many of whom have spent the past week completing a charity walk in his honour.
Officers will form a sombre march to Tamworth Police Station to arrive at 8am, where the flag will be lowered to stand at half mast.
NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, will unveil a plaque honouring Senior Constable Rixon, during a ceremony at Tamworth Community Centre at 11am.
Fiona Rixon said she will take a private moment during the day to remember her husband, the man who she described as her “other half”.
“He was my best friend, we did absolutely everything together, everything,” she said.
About 60 police officers of the 140 who walked arrived in Tamworth last night after a 370km journey titled “Our Mates, Our Families,” which began in Wyong last Monday.
Rainy weather welcomed the walkers as they completed the last few kilometres of their 10-day trek, ending at the Longyard Hotel.
Senior Constable Rixon’s stepdaughter and Probationary Constable Jemma Galea, who walked alongside four officers from the Oxley Local Area Command, said today’s memorial services would be bittersweet for her and her family.
“I guess it’s hard to say how it will affect you until the day,” Probationary Constable Galea said.
Completing the last of the walk alongside her mother yesterday, she was wearing the bright pink cap she wore for the the duration of the walk.
The cap was the subject of a personal joke between her and her stepfather.
“David said to me when I bought it, ‘When are you ever going to wear that hat?’” Probationary Constable Galea said.
“So now I wear it, to remember him.”
Senior Constable David Rixon’s stepdaughter and probationary constable Jemma Galea who wore a bright pink cap as a joke between her and David. Photo: Marina Neil
Ms Galea said the walk was harder than expected, and she was full of “sore muscles, blisters and a bit of sunburn”, and everyone was looking forward to a hot shower before the fundraising event at Wests’ Diggers last night.
The walkers camped along the way, passing through six police local area commands, many of whom sent officers to Tamworth to help out in the days and weeks after the tragedy.
Organising police from Tuggerah Lakes said they were inspired by the Cooee recruitment march, a famous walk that began in Gilgandra in 1915 with 35 men, its ranks swelling to 265 by its end in Sydney, all eager to join the Australian war effort for WWI.
Oxley Local Area Commander Superintendent Clint Pheeney said his officers were honoured to take part in the walk, and ceremony, to remember their former colleague.
“David’s death was heartbreaking for all of us at Oxley Local Area Command,” Superintendent Pheeney said.
“But when a police officer is killed it’s not only the local police and their immediate colleagues who are touched, it’s the entire police force and community as a whole.”
“I’m extremely proud of all the officers who have taken part in the gruelling walk as it shows their resolve and determination to honour their mate, and to raise funds for not only his family, but the families of other fallen officers.
“I’m particularly proud of all of David’s colleagues here at Tamworth who have continued to do their job on a daily basis since his death, even though all their hearts have been broken.
“David has never been far from our minds and this will certainly be the case tomorrow, especially during the ceremony. The plaque will serve as a permanent honour to him in the community and one I’m sure all who knew him will be extremely proud of.”
Commissioner Scipione said the relay-style walk from Wyong Police Station to Tamworth was raising money for both the NSW Police Legacy and the David Rixon Memorial Fund.
“Last year we experienced the tragedy of losing two of our officers and so we all have extremely heavy hearts today,” Commissioner Scipione said. “However the ceremony gives us the opportunity to reflect on Senior Constable Rixon’s life and career, and to remember the outstanding husband, father, friend and colleague that he was.
“The walk and ceremony are testimony to the honour that exists among those who have chosen to become part of the police profession. It also demonstrates our respect, our grief and our resolve to continue, despite the hardships that may confront us.”
The official ceremony will take place at 11am at Tamworth Community Centre in Darling St.
Michael Allan Jacobs becomes first person jailed for life without parole for killing police officer, Senior Constable David Rixon
Amy Dale, Chief Court Reporter
The Daily Telegraph
October 04, 20132:45PM
THE man who shot Senior Constable David Rixon has become the first person jailed for the term of his natural life for murdering a police officer.
Michael Allan Jacobs has this afternoon been sentenced to life with no parole for murdering Sen-Constable Rixon, the crime described by Justice Richard Button as “a life irrevocably taken”.
Jacobs is the first person to be convicted of murdering a police officer since the O’Farrell government introduced legislation in 2011 to ensure such an offence is punished by a sentence of life with no parole.
He said the murder of a police officer “is a direct assault on the system of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.”
“The offender informed the intention to kill him,” Justice Button said.
“That intention may have been held utterly fleetingly and irrationally … but it has been established to a criminal standard.”
Court artist sketch of Michael Allen Jocobs.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher joined more than 20 police officers in court for the landmark sentence.
Sen-Constable Rixon was shot once in the chest with a bullet fired from a .38 calibre revolver after approaching Jacobs’ stopped Holden Statesman for a random breath test early on March 2 last year.
The policeman returned fire and hit Jacobs three times, leaving the man with “an out of control drug addiction” critically wounded, before he collapsed from his injuries.
“The offender almost died from his injuries,” Justice Button said, adding that in his dying moments Sen-Constable Rixon had handcuffed Jacobs to arrest him.
The court heard Jacobs screamed “ah die, I’m sorry sir, sorry” just after the shooting and while “lying gravely wounded could be heard repeatedly saying ‘I’m sorry.'”
But Justice Button said he couldn’t be more satisfied “that the offender is responsible for this murder.”
Police arrived shortly after the shooting but Sen-Constable Rixon couldn’t be revived, while Jacobs received lifesaving surgery and eventually recovered after spending more than a month in hospital.
The Crown claimed he was high on ice at the time, making him more prone to aggression, and shot the policeman to avoid being locked up and convicted for repeatedly driving unlicensed.
Justice Button said of Jacobs‘s motive to avoid “being briefly refused bail or at worst a sentence of a matter of months … the offender saw fit to fire a handgun at a police officer.”
He said Sen-Constable Rixon would have had “less than a second before the shot was fired.”
David Rixon murder: Michael Jacobs gets life in jail
The sun had only recently risen over the roof of Tamworth police station when the white, dark-windowed bus arrived.
One by one about 30 officers filed on and settled in for a six-hour journey that they hoped would end with justice for a fallen comrade and perhaps a small measure of closure for those left behind.
Eight hours and 400 kilometres later, a NSW Supreme Court Justice gave the family, friends and colleagues of murdered police officer Senior Constable David Rixon the result they desired – a life sentence for the man responsible for his death.
In a landmark decision, Michael Alan Jacobs, 49, became the first person sentenced to life in prison under new laws requiring a mandatory life sentence for anyone who murders an on-duty police officer in NSW.
”Let this serve as an example to all those in the future who think it’s OK to harm our police officers,” NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher said after the sentence was handed down.
”This decision today draws a line in the sand.”
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione after the sentencing at Darlinghurst Courts with Fiona Rixon, (and family) wife of Senior Constable David Rixon and his colleagues from Oxley LAC. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
Nearly a quarter of the Oxley Local Area Command were present to hear the sentence, forming a guard of honour as Senior Constable Rixon‘s widow, Fiona Rixon, and their children left the court.
”I’m very proud of my children – we’ve been through this hurricane, tornado, roller-coaster ride, whatever you want to call it, for the last 18 months,” an emotional Mrs Rixon said.
”Hopefully now life will be a little bit more quiet.”
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione with a family member after the sentencing at Darlinghurst Courts. Senior Constable David Rixon was killed while on duty. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
On March 2 last year, Jacobs shot and killed Senior Constable Rixon, a 40-year-old father of six, during what was to have been a regulation breath test on Lorraine Street, West Tamworth.
During a month-long trial earlier this year, the court was told that the experienced highway patrolman had recognised Jacobs as a disqualified driver and followed him from nearby Gunnedah Road to the quiet side street.
Senior Constable Rixon’s police microphone recorded him saying ”G’day mate, how you going?”
In an increasingly distressed voice he is then heard to say: ”I’m just gonna breath test you, buddy.”
Jacobs then fired a single shot from a .38 calibre pistol that went straight through Constable Rixon’s left wrist and into his chest, puncturing his heart and lung.
The officer returned fire, hitting Jacobs in the leg, abdomen and shoulder. He collapsed soon after.
Jacobs is heard to say ”die … I’m sorry sir, sorry, sorry”.
The officer’s last act was to handcuff his killer.
Jacobs later claimed that it was not he but a local drug dealer, Terrence James Price, who fired the fatal shot after the policeman ”interrupted” them in the middle of a drug deal, but this was rejected by the jury.
In sentencing Jacobs to life in prison, Justice Richard Button said the 49-year-old had no apparent motive for committing the crime and had shown little or no remorse.
”It is almost impossible to believe that, in order to avoid a short period of being denied bail or, at worst, a sentence of a matter of months for driving whilst disqualified, the offender saw fit to fire a handgun at a police officer,” he said.
”The murder of a police officer in such circumstances is a direct assault upon our system of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.”
As well as providing some relief to Senior Constable Rixon’s family and fellow officers, the life sentence represents a landmark decision for the state’s mandatory life sentencing laws.
Jacobs’ case was seen by many as a test of the laws, introduced in 2011, which require judges to impose a life sentence on any offender found guilty of murdering an on-duty police officer.
Crucially, Justice Button found that Jacobs’ crime met all the criteria set out in the mandatory life sentence legislation, including that he had acted with the intention to kill the officer.
”That intention may have been held only fleetingly and utterly irrationally, but nevertheless I consider that it has been established to the criminal standard,” he said.
”The result is that the mandatory life sentence is to be imposed.”
The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: My question is addressed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Will the Minister inform the House about National Police Remembrance Day?
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: I thank the honourable member for her question and I again welcome the opportunity to share the details of this significant day for the New South Wales Police Force with the wider community. National Police Remembrance Day was observed on Friday 28 September 2012. It is a day held in memory of police officers across the country who have died in the line of duty. On that day I had the honour of attending a service held at the New South Wales Police Wall of Remembrance in the Domain at which the 251 officers who have given their lives to protect the people of New South Wales since the formation of the New South Wales Police Force 150 years ago were rightly honoured.
It was a solemn reflection of the ultimate sacrifice those officers made and their legacy. The service included special acknowledgement of Senior Constable David Rixon, who was killed on 2 March 2012 whilst on duty in Tamworth. Senior Constable Rixon‘s tragic death was a salient reminder of the dedication police give to the service and protection of our communities. In upholding the law and keeping the people of New South Wales safe, police put their lives on the line on a daily basis. National Police Remembrance Day honours the courage and bravery of all police officers across the country. It is also an important day to remember police officers who have lost their lives as a result of illness and in other circumstances.
National Police Remembrance Day recognises the families of all serving police officers and the families of those who did not make it home at the end of their shift. New South Wales Police Legacy is a not-for-profit organisation that looks after the families of deceased police officers in New South Wales. The organisation does an invaluable job providing financial and emotional support to more than 1,000 widows and widowers and 200 children across New South Wales. Importantly, New South Wales Police Legacy ensures that these families remain part of the wider police family. The police family is a close-knit group of people who support each other and their families.
Also in attendance at the service at the Wall of Remembrance was 12-year-old Elayna Day and her grandmother. Elayna was only six years old when her father, Sergeant Graham Clifford Day, died but she remains a firm member of the police family. She is the proud recipient of the 2012 Commissioner’s Scholarship. The New South Wales Police Legacy scholarship will assist Elayna as she enters high school next year to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She is a prime example of the fine work undertaken by New South Wales Police Legacy in supporting the families of our fallen police officers. The need for an organisation like Police Legacy highlights the risks associated with being a police officer. It is a difficult, stressful and dangerous job. In informing the House on the significance of National Police Remembrance Day, I would like to take this opportunity to thank police officers across the State, all of whom are serving and protecting the people of New South Wales. Their commitment is acknowledged and respected, their bravery and courage is honoured and admired and I thank them for their contribution in ensuring that we have a safe community.
Service: From pre 13 February 1998 to 11 November 2006 = 8+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: 12 July 1965
Died: 11 November 2006
Age: 41 old
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident
Incident location: F3 Freeway, Somersby
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: Point Clare General Cemetery, Coolam Avenue, Point Clare. GPS 33 26′ 6″S / 151 18′ 44″E
Buried at: ?
Peter Gordon WILSON
Peter Gordon WILSON with Caitlin & Amy?
Peter Gordon WILSON with Amy, Caitlin & Callum
Peter Gordon WILSON – Grave
Point Clare General Cemetery, Coolam Avenue, Point Clare. GPS 33 26′ 6″S / 151 18′ 44″E
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On 11th November 2006 the senior constable was performing Highway Patrol traffic duties on the F3 Freeway at Somersby when he was struck by a passing motor vehicle, causing fatal injuries.
The senior constable was born in 1965 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on 13 February 1998. At the time of his death he was attached to the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol.
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Police officer killed on duty
AAP
November 12, 200612:00AM
A 41-YEAR-OLD police officer conducting speed checks on a busy freeway north of Sydney has died after being struck by a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was on radar duty on the F3 Freeway at Somersby, on the NSW central coast, when he was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero about 6.45pm (AEDT) yesterday.
Police are still investigating the incident, but believe the four-wheel-drive struck the officer after it was hit from behind by a black Toyota Hilux utility truck.
The Scottish-born officer and father-of-three suffered injuries from which he later died in Gosford Hospital.
NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney today paid tribute to Const Wilson, saying his death was a tragic reminder of the danger of police work.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn this tragic news and I extend my condolences to the family of the officer involved,” he said.
“All officers in the field face dangers every day and this is a tragic reminder of the very nature of police work.”
Const Wilson leaves behind a fiancee and three children aged between eight and 14.
Mr Moroney said a charity golf day which had been organised by the officer would still go ahead.
Const Wilson was attached to the Highway Patrol in the Brisbane Water Local Area Command.
No charges have yet been laid in relation to his death, but police have seized both vehicles for further investigations.
A report also is being prepared for the NSW coroner.
Const Wilson was the second police officer killed on the state’s roads yesterday, with a Queensland detective dying after a multi-vehicle crash south of Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast.
Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin, 42, was killed when two cars and a truck collided near Woolgoolga about 10am (AEDT).
Fellow officer 43-year-old Detective Senior Constable Paul Meese, who was in the same car, was injured and a 60-year-old woman passenger in the second car also was hurt.
Both were taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital, where they are in stable condition.
The two police officers were travelling in an unmarked car to a number of locations around NSW as part of a Queensland Police investigation.
TO MANY they would seem among the most mundane of police duties: manning a radar camera or getting motorists to take breath tests.
For Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, doing just that at one of the black spots on the fast-flowing F3 on the Central Coast was a necessary risk.
But in good visibility at 6.45pm on Saturday he was struck by a four-wheel-drive vehicle while manning a radar camera in a turning lane in the scrub-lined centre median strip.
Police investigations are continuing into the accident less than two kilometres north of the Somersby interchange, but it is believed the north-bound Mitsubishi Pajero was struck from behind by a black Toyota HiLux utility, causing it to veer across two lanes into the path of Senior Constable Wilson, who was manning the radar with another patrolman.
The sight of the officers in the emergency service vehicle turning gap had caused other motorists travelling in the 110kmh zone to brake for fear of receiving speeding tickets.
Senior Constable Wilson’s colleague escaped being struck and called for an ambulance, but the Scottish-born father of three – two daughters aged 14 and 8 and a son aged 11 – died in Gosford Hospital that night.
The death was the second for the Gosford-based Brisbane Water Highway Patrol in four years, the last that of Senior Constable Chris Thornton, 35, who died on April 13, 2002, during a pursuit in Woy Woy.
It was also the second death of a policeman in NSW within nine hours on Saturday, the first being that of Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin, 42, of the Queensland Homicide Squad.
He was killed in an accident on Saturday morning while travelling near Woolgoolga as part of an investigation into a Queensland case.
The families of both officers were offered and have accepted police funerals with full honours.
The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, said police would help get Senior Constable Wilson’s parents to Australia from Scotland for his funeral later this week.
Mr Moroney went to Gosford yesterday to meet Senior Constable Wilson’s distressed colleagues, his children, his former wife, Wendy, and his partner, Kylie.
Mr Moroney said Senior Constable Wilson, an officer of eight years, had organised a charity golf day to raise funds for children at Gosford Hospital this Wednesday. It will go ahead.
“I think the great strength that we draw as police is the great strength of the police family. I think that is doubled by the strength that comes from the general community,” Mr Moroney said.
(Ryde—Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, and Minister for Police) [2.32 p.m.]: I know all members of this House will join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and police colleagues of Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson. As the House is probably aware, Senior Constable Wilson, a police officer from the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol, died tragically on Saturday night while undertaking highway patrol duties on the F3. The death of Gordon, as he was known, is a distressing reminder to all of us of the dangers of police work. In working to keep the community safe, this dedicated officer paid with his life. There are few jobs that require people to face up to that kind of risk on a daily basis. We honour and admire all those in New South Wales who pull on the uniform every day, and I place on record my thanks to them all.
I understand that Gordon Wilson was a popular man, not only among his colleagues in the Brisbane Water Highway Patrol but in the community generally. He was an avid soccer enthusiast, and in recent weeks had devoted himself to organising a charity game between local police and firefighters. The game was to be a curtain raiser to a Central Coast A-League fixture, the proceeds of which Gordon had arranged to go to the children’s ward of Gosford Hospital. Gordon spent considerable time helping to organise the game using his characteristic energy, good humour and leadership to motivate others to take part. The game will be a huge success. It will also be a fitting tribute to a man who cared for his community, both on and off the job. On behalf of the people of New South Wales I say thank you to Gordon Wilson for his dedicated service. He will be laid to rest with full police honours on Friday at Gosford Anglican Church. On behalf of the House I extend sincere condolences to Gordon’s family, friends and colleagues. Their loss, personal and profound as it is, is felt by us all.
Mr CHRIS HARTCHER
(Gosford) [2.34 p.m.]: On behalf of all members of New South Wales Coalition, and on behalf of the citizens of Gosford, I pay tribute to Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, who died last Saturday night on the F3 while serving the community. Senior Constable Wilson was born in Scotland and is survived by his fiancée, two daughters and a son. The children are aged between eight and 14. Known as Gordie, Senior Constable Wilson was attached to the highway patrol in the Brisbane Water Local Area Command and was stationed at Gosford. I did not have the privilege of knowing him personally, but he was well known to the shadow Minister for Police, the Hon. Michael Gallacher. Only three weeks ago Mike Gallacher met Peter Wilson at a function at the Mingara Recreation Club which was held in honour of the national servicemen who served our country.
That night Peter Wilson spoke extensively to Michael Gallacher about how proud he was of his family and of his involvement in Scottish highland dancing. He talked about the upcoming highland dance festival on the Central Coast, which is due to take place in 2007, and his involvement in organising the festival, which will be attended by thousands of people from all over the world. He spoke also of his great pride and support for the Hibernian Soccer Team, which is based in Edinburgh. I note that the New South Wales Commissioner of Police has said that a charity golf day, which had been organised by Peter, will still go ahead. We have all lost a fine police officer. The people of the Central Coast and the community of New South Wales have lost a fine man. May he rest in peace.
Members and officers of the House stood in their places.
TWO days before he was killed on duty, New South Wales police officer Peter Gordon Wilson told his three children he was going to remarry.
Senior Constable Wilson, 41, had dated girlfriend Kylie McFarland on and off for seven years and the pair had recently chosen a wedding ring.
Before he went to work last Saturday, the couple went through their normal routine, which made her feel more secure about the dangers he faced as a highway patrol officer, Ms McFarland told more than 1000 mourners at the Gosford Anglican church today.
He kissed her and told her he loved her before she said “take care and stay safe”.
The Scottish-born officer was killed later that day while making speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was hit by a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Today’s congregation, which included police officers from as far away as Tasmania, was told it was his favourite stretch of road.
When he died in Gosford Hospital later that night, his 11-year-old son Callum turned to Ms McFarland and said he also wanted to be a police officer.
Ms McFarland today said she felt most pained for his children, including Caitlin, 14, and Amy 8, and his parents Bill and Elma and sister Hazel.
As for herself, she would miss the little things.
“No one can say my name like he can,” she said.
NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, who visited Ms McFarland on Sunday, Police Minister John Watkins and Opposition police spokesman John Gallacher were among the mourners.
The congregation was told Snr Const Wilson, known as Gordy to his mates, served 12 years with the Royal Air Force before moving to Australia.
He became a probationary police constable in February 1998 and joined the highway patrol about four years later.
Mr Moroney posthumously awarded Snr Const Wilson the NSW Police Medal for his work during a collision involving 34 cars in Calga in October 2004.
“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” the commissioner said.
Uniformed officers, who stood with their heads bowed during the service, later lined the closed street outside the church.
Snr Const Wilson’s colleagues acted as pall bearers and wept openly as his casket was driven from the church past hundreds of officers, who saluted as it passed.
A highway patrol officer knocked down and killed while conducting speed checks has been posthumously awarded the NSW police medal.
Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, was operating speed checks on the F3 at Somersby, north of Sydney, when he was run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle on Saturday.
The Scottish-born officer and father of three died later in Gosford Hospital. He had been in the force for 10 years.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney announced that Const Wilson would receive the honour during the officer’s funeral in Gosford.
More than 1,000 people packed into the Gosford Anglican church to farewell the policeman, who was known as Gordy.
Const Wilson’s fiancee Kylie McFarland and one of his two daughters, Caitlin Wilson, gave eulogies during the service.
Mr Moroney presented the medal to Const Wilson’s son Callum and his parents, who were flown in from Scotland.
The congregation, which included officers from Surry Hills in Sydney’s inner city to Tasmania, was told the award was presented for his excellent work during a collision involving 35 vehicles in Calga on October 22, 2004.
“Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson was the type of professional police officer that we could ill afford to lose,” Mr Moroney said.
“I’m honoured to announce that I have, with agreement from the minister of police, (given) the posthumous award for the NSW police medal to Peter.”
With hats under their left arm and heads bowed, many uniformed officers listened to Ms McFarland recount the routine she shared with her fiance before he went to work.
She said they would spend time together before he kissed her and told her that he loved her. Her reply would be “take care, stay safe”.
Such a routine, she said, made her feel more secure about his role as a highway patrol officer.
Ms McFarland thanked police, including Mr Moroney who visited her on Sunday morning, for attending the service.
Their 11-year-old son Callum, she said, had turned to her at Gosford Hospital soon after his father died and announced that he too wanted to be a police officer.
At the conclusion of the service, uniformed officers and detectives dressed in black suits stood on either side of the closed road outside the church and saluted as Const Wilson’s coffin was driven to the cemetery.
Seven police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Australian community will have their names added to the National Police Memorial in a ceremony in Canberra today.
Touch-stones will be added to the memorial for the following officers who have died on duty in the past year:
Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin – Queensland Police Service
Constable Brett Irwin – Queensland Police Service
Constable Damien Murphy – Western Australia Police
Senior Constable Peter Wilson – NSW Police Force
Federal Agent Mark Scott – Australian Federal Police
Commander Brice Steele – Australian Federal Police
The touch-stones will be illuminated for the first time during the National Police Remembrance Day service. The service is an annual event involving police from all over Australia and the Pacific nations.
The National Police Memorial was opened last year with the names of 719 fallen officers inscribed on brass touch-stones – with their date and place of death – distributed randomly across the wall.
The memorial honours all police killed on duty, dating back to the 1803 death of Constable Joseph Luker in Sydney. National Police Remembrance Day is also the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, renowned as a fighter of evil and also the Patron Saint of Police.
National Police Remembrance Day will commence with a dawn service at Queanbeyan, where the NSW Police Chaplain will bless the seven touch-stones. The main service will be held from 5pm at Wendouree Drive, Kings Park, Canberra.
Senior Constable Peter Wilson passed away on 11 November 2006 – New South Wales Police Force
Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson joined the New South Wales Police Force as a student police officer on 18 May 1997 and was promoted to constable in early 1999 and a senior constable in 2002.
Senior Constable Wilson was dedicated to ensuring road safety and the implementation of associated traffic law enforcement programs. He was an outstanding example to others to follow in the best traditions of professional policing, courage and commitment.
Senior Constable Wilson was awarded the prestigious New South Wales Police Medal in recognition of his integrity and diligence, not only to the police force but to the people of New South Wales. After 10 years in the service, Senior Constable Wilson was killed on duty by a motor vehicle in November 2006.
His enthusiasm, professionalism and personal efforts as a very dedicated highway patrol officer will never be forgotten by the New South Wales Police Force.
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Coroner recommends overhaul of police radar checks
The death of a New South Wales police officer in a roadside accident three years ago has prompted a coroner to recommend an overhaul of the way radar speed checks are carried out.
Forty-one-year-old senior constable Peter Gordon Wilson was killed when he was struck by a four-wheel-drive while carrying out hand held radar checks in November 2006.
The accident happened on a blackspot of the F3 on the New South Wales central coast.
In handing down his inquest findings today, deputy state coroner Hugh Dillon said police speed checks on foot are extremely dangerous and that should have ben recognised by management well before the accident.
Thirteen recommendations have been made including the elimination of speeding operations by police on foot on multi lane roads, where the limit is greater than 80 kilometres an hour.
REST IN PEACE SENIOR CONSTABLE Peter Gordon WILSON 11 November 2006 NSW Police
TO MANY they would seem among the most mundane of police duties: manning a radar camera or getting motorists to take breath tests.
For Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson, 41, doing just that at one of the black spots on the fast-flowing F3 on the Central Coast was a necessary risk.
But in good visibility at 6.45pm on Saturday he was struck by a four-wheel-drive vehicle while manning a radar camera in a turning lane in the scrub-lined centre median strip.
Police investigations are continuing into the accident less than two kilometres north of the Somersby interchange, but it is believed the north-bound Mitsubishi Pajero was struck from behind by a black Toyota HiLux utility, causing it to veer across two lanes into the path of Senior Constable Wilson, who was manning the radar with another patrolman.
The sight of the officers in the emergency service vehicle turning gap had caused other motorists travelling in the 110kmh zone to brake for fear of receiving speeding tickets.
Senior Constable Wilson’s colleague escaped being struck and called for an ambulance, but the Scottish-born father of three – two daughters aged 14 and 8 and a son aged 11 – died in Gosford Hospital that night.
The death was the second for the Gosford-based Brisbane Water Highway Patrol in four years, the last that of Senior Constable Chris Thornton, 35, who died on April 13, 2002, during a pursuit in Woy Woy.
It was also the second death of a policeman in NSW within nine hours on Saturday, the first being that of Detective Sergeant Stewart Kerlin, 42, of the Queensland Homicide Squad
‘Our boys haven’t been forgotten’: Policemen honoured in Brisbane Water row
September 15, 2015 3:16pm
Geraldine Cardozo Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate
(L-R) Sarah Matthews, Kylie Kerr and Tracey Holt remember their police officer partners at Gosford waterfront. Brisbane Water LAC officers will be taking to the water in honour of the policemen.
When Sarah Matthews returned home after her shift at Gosford Hospital on the evening of April 13, 2002 and spotted a row of waiting police cars she thought the neighbours were having a noisy party.
“It never struck me what was coming next,” remembers the emergency nurse who was told the worst — her fiance Senior-Constable Chris Thornton had been killed on duty hours earlier.
“It didn’t hit me. Even when I was told. I don’t think that’s something that ever leaves you.”
This week Miss Matthews, Kylie Kerr and Tracey Holt will get together to remember their partners, Sen-Constable Thornton, Sen-Constable Peter Gordon Wilson and Sergeant Richard Whittaker, who all died on duty while with the Brisbane Water Local Area Command.
(L-R) Brisbane Water Inspector Paul Nicholls, Tracey Holt, Brisbane Water Commander Daniel Sullivan, Sarah Matthews and Kylie Kerr at Gosford Waterfront ahead of the NSW Police Legacy row. Picture: Mark Scott
On Thursday officers from Brisbane Water LAC will take part in a paddle to raise money for NSW Police Legacy to support the families of fallen officers.
“You never want to be a part of Legacy but now we are part of this unique group and without Legacy we wouldn’t have each other,” Miss Matthews said.
But for two of the women, the close bond was forged by their shared loss and haunting similarities in how their partners lost their lives.
Sen-Constable Thornton, 35, died in a motor vehicle accident while on patrol in Woy Woy in 2002, while Mrs Kerr’s long-term partner Sen-Constable Wilson, 41, was killed when he was hit by a car while carrying out speed checks on the M1 at Somersby in 2006.
Both men were based at Brisbane Water LAC, both died in car accidents on a Saturday night, and both had the same patrol car number — 202.
Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson with fiance Kylie Kerr.
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
Senior Constable Chris Thornton was killed on duty during a high-speed pursuit at Woy Woy in 2002.
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
Mrs Holt, whose husband Sgt Whittaker was stationed at the Gosford drug unit and was involved in drug investigations at the time of his death when he died from a brain haemorrhage in 1991, said the annual paddle is a “beautiful day”. “It is amazing the effort Daniel Sullivan and the team put in to keep the memory going of old work mates and have a good time doing it,” she said.
Sergeant Richard Whittaker who died on duty with Brisbane Water Local Area Command in 1991. Picture: Supplied
