Peter John ADDISON

( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 175

Regd. #  19914

Rank: Commenced training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 17 August 1981 ( aged 22 years, 6 months, 15 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed 6 November 1981 ( 22 years, 9 months, 4 days )

Constable – appointed 6 November 1982

Constable 1st Class – appointed 6 November 1986

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Kempsey

Service:  From  17 August 1981  to  9 July 1995 = 13 years, 10 months, 22 days Service

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

 National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  2 February 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Death location:  Main Street, Crescent Heads

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 5 months, 7 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at: Rose Garden, Innes Gardens Memorial Park, NSW: 

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s

PETER IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

&

Robert Bruce SPEARS

 ( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 227

ProCst # 98500

Regd. #  23854

Rank: Commenced training at Goulburn Police Academy on Wednesday 1 April 1987 ( aged 28 years, 16 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1987 ( aged 28 years, 3 months, 10 days )

Constable – appointed 26 June 1988

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Liverpool, Kempsey

Service:  From 1 April 1987   to 9 July 1995 = 8 years, 3 months, 8 days Service

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  16 March 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 3 months, 23 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?, Liverpool, NSW

Buried at:  ?

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

Compass Rose Garden, Innes Gardens Memorial Park, NSW: 

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s

ROBERT IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 12.35am on 9 July, 1995 the constables were performing night shift at the Kempsey Police Station when they were called to a malicious damage complaint at the nearby township of Crescent Head. Having attended one address in relation to the complaint they drove to a dwelling in Main Street, Crescent Head. There they parked the police vehicle in a driveway and began to walk toward the front door.

At 1.22am an urgent radio message was received from Senior Constable Addison requesting urgent assistance. It was later learned that the offender McGowan had hidden near the carport of the dwelling and, camouflaged and armed with a high-powered Ruger rifle, had opened fire on the two police.

While withdrawing to the police vehicle Senior Constable Spears received a severe wound to the head and collapsed onto the ground. After exchanging shots with the offender Senior Constable Addison quickly sought help from neighbours. While apparently seeking a house with a telephone so he could call for assistance for his partner, he was also shot to death.

The murderer then committed suicide with the rifle.

At the inquest into the deaths of the two constables the New South Wales Coroner Mr Derek Hand commended both men for their extraordinary courage. Special mention was made of Senior Constable Addison‘s bravery in that “No-one would have blamed him if he had decided to seek safety. Not only was he obviously concerned about Constable Spears but he was faced with an armed man who could have caused much more death and injury in the neighbourhood”.

Mr Hand also commended the brave actions of Detective Senior Constable Michael Clark, Ambulance Officer Edward Hill and Mr Gregory Barnett.

Senior Constable Addison was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 6 November, 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kempsey. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour.

Senior Constable Spears was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 June, 1987. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kempsey. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour.

New South Wales. State Coroner (1995). [Inquests into the deaths of Robert Bruce Spears, Peter John Addison and John Craig McGowan : transcript of the Coroner’s address, findings and recommendations of 13 October 1995.]. New South Wales State Coroner’s Court, [Penrith, N.S.W  ( no link )

Commemorative service
10:30am, Thursday 9 July 2015
Addison/Spears memorial site
Corner of Baker Dr and Killuke Cr,
Crescent Head

Valour not forgotten

A ceremony this month will mark the 20th anniversary of one of our darkest days.

STORY SHAUN FEWINGS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS BRANCH

On the face of it, it was a routine call to a domestic violence complaint but within an hour two police officers were ambushed and shot dead.

When Kempsey-based police officers, Senior Constables Peter Addison VA and Robert Spears VA arrived in the small mid north coast town of Crescent Head, they came under attack from a hidden assassin. Local electrician John McGowan was drunk and dressed in camouflage gear, hiding near a car port on his Walker Street property.

The 35-year-old, armed with a high-powered modified Ruger 14 rifle, opened fire on the officers as they got out of their 4WD. The pair took cover behind their vehicle and exchanged shots with the gunman.

As Snr Cst Addison got back in the car to radio for backup, McGowan shot his partner in the head.

Snr Cst Addison ran to a neighbouring house to seek help but it didn’t have a telephone. He continued to exchange shots with the offender but was also shot dead. The killer then turned the gun on himself.

It happened at 1.22am on 9 July, 1995 and remains one of the darkest days in the history of the NSWPF. The deaths led to major reforms, including the introduction of automatic pistols and bullet proof vests for first response officers, improved radio equipment and coverage, and advances in police tactical training.

A special ceremony will mark the 20th anniversary of their deaths at a memorial site within the town. Commissioner Andrew Scipione will present the widows of Senior Constables Addison and Spears with National Police Service Medals in honour of their courage, service and diligence.

Today the ranks of the NSWPF are filled with many officers too young to remember the Crescent Head shootings but who remain protected by the legacy of two brave police officers.July 2015Police Monthly3

Police Monthly July 2015 – Addison_Spears.pdf

$18 loader may have saved police life
Feb. 6, 2001, 9:02 p.m.

ONE of two police officers killed after being ambushed by a drunken gunmen at Crescent Head in 1995 may have survived if he had been issued with an $18 speedloader the Industrial Relations Court has been told.

NSW WorkCover Authority is proceeding with eight summonses against the Crown over alleged Occupational, Health and Safety Act breaches by the NSW Police Service stemming from the shooting deaths of Kempsey policemen, Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison.

The matter, being heard by Justice Hungerford, began in Sydney on Monday and is expected to take three weeks to complete.

Senior Constables Addison and Spears, both Port Macquarie residents, were shot by John McGowan on July 9, 1995 when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint.

In the preceding Coronial Inquest, Coroner Derrick Hand found the two officers had been ‘massively outgunned’, lacked bulletproof vests and were hampered by poor radio communications.

WorkCover alleges the breaches of the Act contributed to the deaths of the policemen and specifically refers to inadequate equipment and training and the alleged failure to provide self-loading firearms.

When the officers arrived at the home of McGowan he was armed .223 calibre Ruger Rifle.

Constable Spears was shot dead in McGowan’s first salvo before Const. Addison managed to enter a house across the road to use a phone for help, when he was told there was not one he left the house only to be shot dead himself.

McGowan then shot himself.

WorkCover alleges the Crown failed to ensure the health and safety of Const. Addison and Spears by not providing them with a speedloader or a self-loader weapon such as a the 9mm Glock pistol, which holds 17 rounds, now used by the service.

WorkCover’s Barrister Steven Crawshaw told the court a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then standard police weapon, a .38 Smith and Wesson, would have let Const. Addison reload more efficiently under pressure.

Police Service Barrister, Peter Hastings, QC, told the court Const. Addison did not appear to be reloading at the time he was killed so the issue was irrelevant.

The officers were issued with speed strip reloaders that enable rounds to be loaded two at a time.

The court heard Const. Addison had fired all six rounds from his revolver and investigators found his unused speed strip lying near his body.

WorkCover has also alleged that the police service failed to provide the two officers with training addressing in a practical way the tactics to be employed in a high-risk situation such as they were faced with and the systems the police service had in place to ensure training was deficient.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/983236/18-loader-may-have-saved-police-life/

Training of police attacked
May 3, 2001, 9:06 p.m.

SIX years after the shooting deaths of two Kempsey police officers a NSW court has found the NSW Police Service negligent in not providing adequate training and communications for the officers.

Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both Port Macquarie residents, were gunned down by a drunken John McGowan when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint at Crescent Head on July 9, 1995.

NSW WorkCover, in January, started proceedings against the NSW Police Service through the NSW Industrial Relations Court over breaches of the Occupational, Health and Safety Act in relation to the deaths of Constables Addison and Spears.

On Wednesday, Justice Barrie Hungerford found that the NSW Police Service failed to provide adequate training and radio equipment.

Justice Hungerford found that the radio communications equipment was inadequate.

In the judgement Justice Hungerford said Senior Constable Spears and Addison were placed at risk of injury in that they could not communicate with other officers and vice versa.

“This created a working environment in which there was a greater risk of physical harm,” he said.

Justice Hungerford said there was evidence that supported the proposition that the officers concerned had not received up-to-date training in the various matters relevant to operational situations.

“Those subject matters, specifically, were weapons handling, tactics in high-risk situations, method of approach to buildings, concealment and the use of lights and torches.

“The very nature of the circumstances as they existed at Crescent Head during the subject incident made relevant the type of training the two officers had not recently received,” Justice Hungerford said.

Justice Hungerford dismissed eight other charges brought against the NSW Police Service by WorkCover relating to firearms, firearm equipment and training and operational duties.

The case was adjourned for a number of weeks to give the Police Service time to prepare mitigating evidence to be presented to Justice Hungerford before he announces the penalty.

On that night in 1995, after talking to a woman complaining of domestic violence threats, Constables Spears and Addison attended McGowan’s house in Walker Street at Crescent Head.

It is believed an altercation occurred between McGowan and the two officers. At some point McGowan produced a modified Ruger 14 rifle and the two officers retreated behind their 4WD.

McGowan then fired a number of shots at the officers while they sheltered behind their vehicle. Both officers returned fire from their position. A short time later Constables Addison and Spears got into the 4WD.

While Constable Addison radioed that they were in trouble McGowan shot Constable Spears in the head.

Constable Addison then again radioed that an officer was down before retreating across the road and entering a house in a bid to use a telephone to call for help.

After realising the house didn’t have a telephone Constable Addison left the house and exchanged shots with McGowan who was still beside the police vehicle.

A witness stated that then Constable Addison might have emptied his revolver while retreating to the rear of the house he just exited.

For reasons which were not clear, it is believed that Constable Addison attempted to go forward, with an empty gun and his torch shinning, but was shot dead by McGowan .

McGowan then shot himself and was found the next morning slumped on the lawn.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/984635/training-of-police-attacked/

Police Service fined over shootings

THE NSW Police Service has been fined $220,000 for not providing adequate training to two Kempsey police officers killed in a shootout at Crescent Head in 1995.

Senior Constable Peter Addison and Senior Constable Robert Spears, both residents of Port Macquarie, were shot and killed by John McGowan when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint in the seaside village on the night of Saturday, July 9, 1995.

NSW WorkCover started proceedings, in the NSW Industrial Court, against the NSW Police Service in January 2001.

NSW WorkCover alleged a number of breaches of the Occupational, Health and Safety Act in relation to the deaths of Constables Addison and Spears.

In May of last year Justice Barrie Hungerford found that NSW Police had not provided Constables Spears and Addison with up-to-date training in high-risk situation tactics.

Justice Hungerford described the offence as being ‘extremely serious’ and noted that the officers had not undergone mandatory training in the use and reloading of weapons, use of torches, defensive tactics and communications.

In assessing the penalty, Justice Hungerford said the action taken by the Police Service since that fatal day to develop training programs and its previously clear occupational health and safety record.

“It is not unreasonable to conclude, in light of the clearly dangerous nature of the industry in which the Police Service operates, that the fact it has a clear occupational health and safety record is a weighty factor in its favour…,” Justice Hungerford said in his decision.

“Another relevant subjective consideration is the action taken by the defendant in respect of the Police Service in developing training programs for police officers, including the important program of ammunition training, and its leading role in that respect compared with police forces in other states,” he said.

WorkCover NSW acting general manager Michelle Patterson said “this tragic incident highlights the need for all employers to undertake appropriate risk management and to provide adequate training so that employees are able to carry out their duties”.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/988050/police-service-fined-over-shootings/

Their pops would be proud

The web of family connections and history has only brought the Addisons and Spears closer.

The trio of boys, their sisters, their parents, and their grandmothers are almost inseparable.

Next year, they will all attend Police Remembrance Day for the first time as a whole family to reflect again on the lives Bob Spears and Peter Addison.

“It will be an opportunity for all colleagues to show we haven’t forgotten what happened,” Superintendent Paul Fehon said on Monday.

“It’s for us to remember, and for us to let the families know we will never forget their bravery.

“There was an impact on so many people.”

Police chaplain Father Paul Gooley will lead the service, which will be co-celebrated by Fr John Casey who was the LAC’s chaplain 20 years ago and conducted Sen. Const. Addison’s funeral.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will then present the National Police Service medals to the widows of the two officers to mark the men’s heroism and diligence to duty.

Deputy commissioners Catherine Burn and Nick Kaldas will also be at the service, as well as former commissioners, politicians and the heads of Ambulance NSW and Fire and Rescue NSW.

Former State Coroner Derrick Hand, who investigated the murders, is another notable guest.

The general public is also invited to attend, with plenty of space available in surrounding parkland.

The slain officers’ families will lay wreaths, followed by Commissioner Scipione and fellow police.

The community are also able to lay a wreath. A reception will take place following the ceremony at the Crescent Head Country Club.

Families of slain officers Peter Addison and Robert Spears united by love

• Samantha Townsend
• The Daily Telegraph
• July 09, 2015  1:02PM

Senior Constables Peter Addison and Robert Spears, both 36, were killed by a gunman after responding to a domestic violence call in Crescent Head on the Mid North Coast on July 9, 1995.

Their children Glenn Addison and Jade Spears, who were 16 and 15 at the time, met after their fathers’ deaths and went on to get married.

The pair, with their children Blake, 14, Joe, 12, and Charlie, 10, joined their mothers Liana and Kathy as well as family and friends today at a ceremony in the coastal town to mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Liana (Addison) Stewart, said their families would always be connected not only because of their loss but through the marriage of their children.

“There has to be good come out of this,” Liana said. “Our families will always be connected.”

She said the ceremony was a special day for the family and she knew “without a doubt” their legacy would stay strong.

“It’s nice they have never been forgot,” she said.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione presented National Police Service medals to the widows of the slain officers today in honour of the men, who gave their lives while attempting to apprehend an armed offender.

The Kempsey-based senior constables had been dispatched to Crescent Head to investigate a report of domestic violence in the early hours of July 9, 1995.

As they arrived in Walker St, the policemen came under fire from drunken gunman John McGowan, dressed in camouflage gear and hiding near a carport.

The officers returned fire as they sought cover behind their four wheel drive. Addison tried to call for back-up on their police radio when Spears was fatally wounded.

In a desperate bid to seek help for his dying friend, Addison ran to a nearby house but it didn’t have a telephone.

As he tried to enter another property, still returning fire, the 14-year police veteran was also shot dead by the gunman, who then turned his high-powered rifle on himself.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the heroic officers had “stood their ground, defending themselves and their community from a cowardly assassin”.

“Peter Addison was not prepared to leave his wounded friend and colleague… together they made the ultimate sacrifice and we will never forget them for it,” he said

Their deaths led to major reforms within the force including the transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, improved radio coverage and equipment as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/families-of-slain-officers-peter-addison-and-robert-spears-united-by-love/story-fni0cx12-1227435275075

• Samantha Townsend Regional Reporter
• The Daily Telegraph
• July 09, 2015  12:00AM

Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison made the ultimate sacrifice when they were killed in the line of duty while protecting the community of Crescent Head on the Mid North Coast from an armed gunman on July 9, 1995.

Today is the 20th anniversary of their deaths and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has presented National Police Service medals to the widows of the slain officers in honour of the pair’s heroism and diligence to duty.

Spears and Addison, both 36, respectively the fathers of two and three children, had moved to the Mid North Coast for a better lifestyle.

The Daily Telegraph reported at that time that on the night on July 8, 1995, the officers had kissed their families goodbye and headed out for the late shift at Kempsey Police Station.

At 12.35am the officers received a distress call about a domestic violence incident at nearby Crescent Head from the former girlfriend of electrician John McGowan.

When they arrived into the township around 1am, The Daily Telegraph Mirror reported the police officers were confronted by a drunken McGowan dressed in camouflage gear and armed with a high-powered rifle.

THE DAY MURDER CAME TO MY SLEEPY BEACH TOWN

The officers were armed with police-issue .38 Smith and Wesson revolvers.

A call for back-up was made around 1.22am.

A NSW police spokesman told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that Spears was fatally wounded first, having been shot in the head.

Unable to get radio assistance, the spokesman said Addison dashed to a nearby home to use the landline but the occupants did not have one.

On his way to a second house, Addison was shot dead.

McGowan then turned the gun on himself.

In the hours after the incident, police swarmed into the town, warning residents to stay inside their homes.

At that stage they did not know the gunman had killed himself.

It has been reported that police found his body around 9am.

Not long after the senior constables deaths, the fallen officers were awarded the Police Force’s highest honour, the Commissioner’s Valour Award.

Their deaths led to major reforms within the force including the transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, improved radio coverage and equipment as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says the shootings of two police officers at Crescent head is the darkest day in the NSW police history.

Around 250 people gathered at Crescent head including families and friends of the dead officers where their widows were awarded with medals for officers valour.

“Senior Constables, Peter Addison and Robert Spears, walked into an ambush,” he said.

“Human instinct would demand you remove yourself from harm’s way in a situation like that, but not these brave officers.

“They knew they had to try to stop this gunman who could have gone on to kill or injure others.

“They stood their ground, defending themselves and their community from a cowardly assassin.

“Peter Addison was not prepared to leave his wounded friend and colleague…together they made the ultimate sacrifice and we will never forget them for it.”

A memorial plaque was unveiled in the town in 1996 just a few hundred metres away from the street where the officers were slain.

The plaque reads: “The Kempsey Shire Council on behalf of the community, has erected this memorial acknowledging the personal courage and sacrifice of Senior Constables Peter Addison and Robert Spears, who gave their lives while attempting to apprehend an armed offender on the 9th July, 1995.”

Police Commission Andrew Scipione joined a host of other dignitaries at the Crescent Head memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of their deaths.

A long list of dignitaries including former Police Commissioners, Tony Lauer and Neil Taylor, attended today’s ceremony to honour the officers for their bravery and dedication to duty.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/crescent-heads-police-killings-two-decades-on-ceremony-will-mark-sacrifice-made-by-senior-constables-on-duty/story-fni0cx4q-1227433992584

The NSW Police Heritage story

p 261 & 261

Historical Firearms

1920s to 1972 — REVOLVERS & SELF LOADING PISTOLS

Following the shooting murders of Senior Constables Peter John Addison and Robert Bruce Spears at Crescent Head, on the 9
July, 1995, the Police Association pressed for a serious review of the firearms on issue to general duties police, with the aim of having
the .38 special Smith & Wesson model 10 revolver replaced with a self loading pistol.

The model 10 had been in service for 30 years. Addison and Spears were shot dead by John McGowan, who was armed with a .223 calibre Ruger Mini 14 self loading rifle.

McGowan had several loaded magazines and his rifle was painted in camouflage paint.

The two policemen went to McGowan’s residence in Walker Street, Crescent Head, following a complaint that McGowan made threats to his former girlfriend. Addison and Spears exchanged shots with McGowan but were obviously outgunned. It appeared that when Spears tried to reload his revolver, the speed strip containing his ammunition fell to the ground. McGowan shot himself dead after shooting Addison and Spears and his rifle was found next to his body. It was estimated that McGowan fired 30 shots from the rifle,
with some of McGowan’s bullets hitting neighbouring houses and killing a stray dog.

Peter Addison joined the police in 1981 and Robert Spears had been in the police since 1987. Both men were posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour.
Since the late 1980s, the adequacy of the revolver for police duties had been in question and the self loading pistol was favoured as a replacement for the Smith & Wesson model 10 revolver. In 1998, the Glock model 22 self loading pistol chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge was being issued to replace the .38 calibre Smith & Wesson model 10 revolver.

The Glock is not the first type of self loading pistol that has been issued to NSW Police.
From the late 1920s, until phasing in of the Smith & Wesson model 10 revolver in the 1960s, an assorted variety of pistols and revolvers were used for police use, many coming from confiscated and surrendered stocks as well as government purchase. Throughout this period leading up to 1965, revolvers such as the .32 Colt Police Positive, the Colt Pocket Positive and also the .38 special Smith & Wesson model 10, were issued to ranks below sergeants 1st class were issued with .25 calibre self loading pistols. While this may have been the desired mode of issue, the types of pistols and revolvers issued depended on things such as supply and availability.

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Friday 14 July 1995, page 6

14 Jul 1995 – Firearms amnesty follows tragedy – Trove

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Monday 10 July 1995, page 1

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128286561

Dallas Leonard TIDYMAN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  School of Traffic and Mobile Policing – Goulburn

Service:  From  8 December 1980  to  15 August 1994 = 13+ years Service

Awards:  National medal – granted 2 December 1994 ( posthumously )

Born:  24 August 1957

Died on:  15 August 1994

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident ( Police motor cycle )

Death location:  Lachlan Valley Way, Boorowa

Age:  36

Funeral date:  ? August, 1994

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  ?

[blockquote]

Memorial location:  ? Lachlan Valley Way, left hand side 5 kms from Boorwoa

Lat: -34.543611
Long: 148.731389

[/blockquote]

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

At 2.30pm on 15 August, 1994 Senior Constable Tidyman, a senior motor cycle instructor, was riding at the rear of a column of trainee police cyclists. While travelling along the Lachlan Valley Way, Boorowa he was struck by an oncoming vehicle and fatally injured. The offending driver had apparently lost control of the vehicle before veering across the roadway and colliding with Senior Constable Tidyman’s cycle.

The constable was born in 1957 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 8 December, 1980. At the time of his death he was attached to the School of Traffic and Mobile Policing, New South Wales Police Academy, Goulburn.

[divider_dotted]

John Sidney PROOPS

New South Wales Police Force

Joined NSW Police Force via the Police Cadet system on 20 February 1967

Cadet # 2256

[alert_yellow]Regd. # 13782[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  NSW Police Cadet – commenced 20 February 1967

Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1969

Senior Constable – appointed 26 June 1978

Sergeant – appointed 24 January 1985

Final Rank:  Sergeant

Stations:  ?, Lakemba – mid 1970’s – ( 13 Division ), Breath Analysis Section ( B.A.S. ), Ashfield ( 1987 ), Enfield ( 9 Division ) – Death

Awards: Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct ( Imperial ) – granted on 24 June 1977 – ( Cst ) – Apprehend an armed man

National Medal – granted 3 September 1985 ( SenCon )

1st Clasp to the National Medal – granted 3 October 1995 ( Sgt )

Born:  Monday 26 June 1950

Died:  Saturday 22 May 1993

Age:  42

Event Date:  Saturday  22 May 1993

Event Location:  Ashfield

Cause:  Heart Attack during arrest

Funeral Date:  23 July 1993

Funeral location:  Woronora Cemetery

Buried:  Cremated

1/ Ashes:  Henry Lawson Garden Walk

Section E, Plot 0012

2/ Memorial location:  Woronora Cemetery, Police Garden

On 22 May, 1993 Sergeant Proops and Probationary Constable Katie Thompson went to a dwelling in Enfield to arrest an offender for a breach of a domestic violence order. During a struggle with the offender the sergeant is thought to have suffered a fatal heart attack.

Constable Thompson attempted to revive the sergeant however she was unsuccessful. He was conveyed by ambulance to the Western Suburbs Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The sergeant was born in 1950 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 February, 1967 as a cadet.

At the time of his death he was stationed at Enfield.

Beyond Courage

[divider_dotted]

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

Note:  It was also interesting to learn that Sergeant Proops while attending another domestic dispute some years earlier, survived a spear-gun wound to his chest. Apparently, the spear lost much of its penetrating force after striking the sergeant’s police notebook in his tunic pocket.

 

 

 

---

https://youtu.be/fJzzb2qJgEo

Youtube Video of the Kokoda Trek

NSW Police Force

April 7 2019·

At just 10-years-old Warren became a NSW Police Legatee, when his father, Sergeant John Proops, passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack while on duty.

Warren has been part of the NSW Police Legacy family for 25 years and took part in the very first trek to Koko

da. Now, he’s returning to the track to help support the team through the physically and emotional journey that is Kokoda.

To support Warren and the NSW Police Legacy team in Papua New Guinea, you can donate here: https://2019kokodatrek.gofundraise.com.au/pa…/MichaelFuller0

National Police Remembrance Day
29, September 2000

National Police Remembrance Day has been marked by a minute’s silence at services throughout Australasia.

Remembrance Day is held every year on St. Michael’s Day, the patron saint of police, for all officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

During the last 12 months, 10 officers have died in the course of their duties in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

233 officers have been fatally wounded while on duty in NSW since 1862. Their names are recorded on a memorial dedicated last December in the Sydney Domain.

The Sydney Service has been attended by Police Minister Paul Whelan, Commissioner Peter Ryan and senior members of the NSW Police Service.

During the service candles were lit by Warren Proops, son of Sergeant John Proops who died on 22 May 1996, Eloise and William Heron, son and daughter of Detective Sergeant William Heron who died on 6 January 1999 and Jessica Ede, daughter of Senior Constable Dallas Tidyman who died on 15 August 1994.

NSW Police Commissioner Peter Ryan said the day offers police and members of the public the chance to remember all officers who have lost their lives while serving their community.

“This important day gives us all the chance to pay our respects to these officers and to reflect upon the role in our society that police play,” he said.

“Police officers killed in the course of their duty must never be forgotten.”

https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20001028194133/http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/media/detail.cfm?ObjectID=245&SectionID=media

The Canberra Times of 24 May, 1993 briefly reported the sergeant’s death.

“POLICE DEATH
SYDNEY: A police sergeant collapsed and died in a struggle with a man he had been questioning about a domestic dispute in Sydney on Saturday night.

Another police officer had broken his leg in a clash later with the man, who allegedly had breached a domestic violence order, a police spokesman said.

Sergeant John Proops, 42, collapsed in the struggle with the 32-year-old man at a house in Enfield.

The man was remanded in Central Local Court yesterday.”

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126990828

July 4, 1996

Police involved in evil business: judge

By GREG BEARUP, Chief Police Reporter

A District Court judge launched an extraordinary attack on police yesterday, claiming they had been involved in the “evil” business of judge-shopping.

He said it appeared that many of those involved in the matter before him had lied.

Judge Phelan, hearing an appeal by Mr Stephen Smith in the District Court, said in a preliminary appraisal of the case that many police had followed a “screed” when giving earlier evidence before a magistrate and when they got beyond the screed their evidence lacked credibility.

There also appeared to have been an assault upon Mr Smith and that no police were able to explain his injuries.

Judge Phelan said if the matter proceeded, and the police witnesses were called against Mr Smith, it would be likely that he would refer a number of matters to the Attorney-General and the Ombudsman alleging that police had fitted evidence and then lied in court.

The Herald understands that staff from the Police Royal Commission had already shown an interest in the matter.

In May 1993, two police officers went to a house in Enfield where it was alleged Mr Smith had breached a domestic violence order.

It was alleged he had resisted arrest and one officer, Sergeant John Proops, had suffered a fatal heart attack.

Police alleged Mr Smith then tried to attack another officer, Sergeant Southam, and that Sergeant Southam suffered a broken ankle.

Mr Smith alleges he was tackled into Sergeant Southam by other officers and then beaten with a torch. He was later convicted of breaching a domestic violence order, resisting arrest and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Phelan said yesterday that a doctor’s report indicated Mr Smith had an injury to his head, consistent with being hit with a torch, a cut on his forehead, bruises over his body, a broken rib and bruises to his legs.

“… the injuries can only be explained rationally and solely by a police attack upon the appellant which the officers have all denied and this leads to the conclusion that many of the police officers are lying,” Judge Phelan said.

He said that a small dog had apparently been kicked in the head and lost its eye during the arrest and that police could offer no explanations as to how this had happened. The dog later died. The judge also stated there had been behind-the-scenes moves to have him removed from the case when it came to an appeal.

“I find it obnoxious and suspicious that there have been police manoeuvres to change the prosecution person [assigned] to these matters,” Judge Phelan said.

“If judge-shopping is an evil, as it is, equally evil is prosecution shopping. I also find it obnoxious and suspicious that there have been manoeuvres to have another judge conduct the appeal.”

The matter will resume before Judge Phelan in the Downing Centre District Court this morning and it is expected that the Director of Public Prosecutions will then make a decision about offering evidence in the case.

https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/19970113060325/http://www.smh.com.au/daily/content/Jul/4/national/960704-national2.html

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Wednesday 9 June 1976, page 10

Adam David BROOK

New South Wales Police Force

Son of Richard ‘Dick’ BROOK, NSWPF # 9570 ( R.I.P. )

Started at Goulburn Academy with Class 246 on 29 July 1990.

Attested with Class 246 on 25 January 1991.

Regd. # 28037

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Corrimal,  Bulli

Service:  From 29 July 1990  to  30 April 1993 = 2+ years Service

Awards:  Nil

Born:  ? ? 1969

Died:  30 April, 1993

Cause:  Suicide – firearm – Service revolver

Event location:  inside Bulli Police Station

Age:  24

Funeral date:  ? May 1993

Funeral location:  Wollongong Memorial Gardens, Berkeley Rd, Berkeley, NSW

Buried at:  1st Rose Garden 12, plot 398A

http://austcemindex.com/inscription.php?id=1133597

Constable Brook died as a result of a self-inflicted bullet wound at the Bulli Police Station locker room on 30 April, 1993.

Adam is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Location of Event:

May you forever Rest In Peace

Kenneth John SHORT

aka  Shorty  &  John

New South Wales Police Force

Academy Class 211

ProCst # 96609

Regd. # 22101

Rank:  Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday ? ? 1985?

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 21 June 1985 ( aged 22 years, 11 months, 2 days )

Constable – appointed 21 June 1986

Stations:  Bankstown ( 19 Division ), Engadine ( 24 Division ) & Police Rescue Squad – Engadine

Service:  From  9 April 1985  to  11 July 1990 = 5+ years Service

Awards:  Nil

Born:  Thursday  19 July 1962

Died on:  Wednesday  11 July 1990

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Collision – On Duty – front passenger ( raining )

Event location:  Old Princes Hwy & Old Bush Rd, Yarrawarra, NSW

Age:  27 years, 11 months, 22 days

Funeral date: Monday  16 July 1990

Funeral location:  St John Bosco Catholic Church, Engadine

Buried at:  Woronora Memorial Park, Linden St, Sutherland

General Plaque Lawn

Section:  Wattle Lawn  Lot:  19

Lat/Lng: -34.03618, 151.04945

KEN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 9.30am on 11 July, 1990 Constable Short was the observer in a police vehicle travelling along the Old Princes Highway, Yarrawarra. The police were attending an armed holdup at the ANZ Bank, Jannali and when approaching the intersection of Old Bush Road the police vehicle veered across the roadway and collided head-on with another car. Constable Short was killed instantly.

There was also a Student Police Officer ( S.P.O. ) in the back seat of the Police vehicle at the time of the collision.

The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 April, 1985. He was sworn in on Friday 21 June, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Engadine.

On the day of his funeral, the procession drove past Engadine Police Station – travelling between the Church Service and the Cemetery.

Before he joined ” the job “, Ken was shot by an unknown assailant at George’s Hall @ 1983.  That incident was attended by Greg McMahon with Sgt 1/c Alec Morton. Shot in a very private part and very lucky to have not suffered a lasting injury.

RIP Ken.

Grant Charles EASTES

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  18467

Joined via NSW Police Cadets on 4 July 1977

Cadet # 3345

Class 161 of 1978

Rank:  NSW Police Cadet – started 4 July 1977

Probationary Constable – appointed 9 February 1979

Senior Constable – appointed 9 February 1988

Stations:  Manly ( 1978 ), Narrabri HWP, Lismore District Accident Investigation Squad

Service:  From  4 July 1977  to  13 January 1990 = 12+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Tuesday  9 February 1960

Died:  Saturday  13 January 1990

Age:  29 yrs 11 mths 4 days

Cause:  Illness – Suicide – overdose – P.T.S.D.

at Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Qld

Funeral  date: ?

Funeral location:

Buried at: Casino Lawn Cemetery

Memorial location:

Grant IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 13 January, 1990 Senior Constable Eastes took his own life in a Brisbane Motel. On 20 October, 1989 he had been one of the first police to arrive on the scene of the horrific bus crash upon the Pacific Hwy, Cowper, ( commonly referred to as the Grafton bus crash ) in which twenty one people died and twenty two more were injured. At the time it was the worst road accident in Australia’s history. Following the accident the senior constable reported off duty on sick report, suffering from Acute Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome.

The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet on the 4 July, 1977. At the time of his death he was attached to the Lismore District Accident Investigation Squad.

From the book, Picking up the pieces by Don Woodland, Simon Bouda:  page 159

[blockquote]It was during that time that I had a lengthy conversation with a highway patrol officer, Grant Eastes.  I could sense that this man was in quite a bad way, finding it hard to cope.  It was just his attitude, what he was saying, how he expressed how he was feeling.  As we talked he brought up all these other incidents on the highway that he’d attended in recent months.  I was so concerned that I mentioned the conversation to some senior police officers and later, Major Errol Woodbury, who was one of the State’s senior police chaplains at the time.[/blockquote]

From the book, Picking up the pieces by Don Woodland, Simon Bouda:  page 164

[blockquote]

A postscript to the Grafton tragedy.  Three months after the accident, 29 year old Senior Constable Grant Eastes, the officer I was so concerned about on the night of the tragedy, was found dead in a motel room in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.  He’d taken an overdose of pills.

Grant’s father Ken told journalists his son’s life had been destroyed by the sight of the dead and injured at the Grafton bus crash scene.

I’m afraid to say his suicide didn’t surprise me.  Here was a crash investigation officer who had witnessed a real slathering of fatal accidents up and down that highway.  The bus crash was the catalyst for his suicide. It was just too much.

[/blockquote]

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=PhJj1DhGp_QC&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=senior+constable+grant+eastes&source=bl&ots=CC_3-fhxn-&sig=ZMIjSgfrs8ypwFb6oMkw62eCaz4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LOHTUsrcEIXTkQX324DADQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=senior%20constable%20grant%20eastes&f=false

Glenn Donald RAMPLING

AKA RAMPO

Late of ?

NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 162

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  18596

Rank:  Commenced Training at the Academy – Monday  15 January 1979

Probationary Constable – appointed 2 April 1979

Senior Constable – appointed 2 May 1988

Service:  From 15 January 1979 to 13 June 1989 = 10+ years Service

Stations:  Mounted Police Unit, Brewarrina, Ballina Detectives

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Saturday  5 September 1959

Died:  Wednesday  14 June 1989

Age:  29

Cause:  Motor vehicle accident – Passenger – Urgent Duty – Pursuit of SMV

Wardell, NSW

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?, Ballina

Grave location:  East Ballina Cemetery

Plot:  RC C 5 Grave 15

GPS:  28*51’43″S / 153*35’28″E

-28.8619   153.5911

DOUBLE POLICE FATALITY

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

About 11.25pm on 13 June, 1989 police in Byron Bay commenced a high speed pursuit of a panel van. The pursued vehicle drove south in the Coast Road, followed by the Byron Bay Police vehicle, and into Ballina. As both vehicles continued south through Ballina, a local Highway Patrol vehicle driven by Constable 1st Class P. Beaver ( # 20992 ), with Senior Constable Rampling and Constable 1st Class Figtree as passengers, joined the pursuit. More police vehicles arrived to assist as the pursuit continued through the township of Wardell. About five kilometres south of Wardell the Ballina Highway Patrol vehicle began to draw level with the offending vehicle. As it did so, the driver of the pursued vehicle drove across to the centre of the roadway and clipped the front of the Byron Bay Police car. As a result, the police vehicle veered across the road and skidded in loose gravel before colliding with a power pole.
All three police were trapped for some time in the badly damaged police car and when freed were conveyed by ambulance to the Lismore Base Hospital. Constable Beaver recovered from internal injuries received, however Constable Figtree died before he reached hospital and Senior Constable Rampling died a short time later.

Senior Constable Rampling was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 January, 1979. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Detectives.
Constable Figtree was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 November, 1983. At the time of his death he was attached to the Ballina Highway Patrol.
Beyond CourageGlenn, whilst working with the Mounted Police Unit, would often work traffic duty on Anzac Pde, Kensington.  He is described as a Champion boxer ( Australian Police Boxing Champion ) & athlete, the funniest guy, a loyal mate & great husband & Dad.*****

Attended this morning quite a moving 30 year memorial service for Glenn Rampling and Peter Figtree killed in a car chase near Ballina. May they rest in peace.

Both Wayne Rixon and Glenn Rampling formed part of a 3 man team at the Mounties, going around mainly to country fairs performing vault tricks with the draft horse. Tragically both lost their lives in High Speed pursuits after leaving the Mounties for other duties. RIP, both were good men.

Allan Wayne McQUEEN SC, VA

New South Wales Police

Goulburn Police Academy Class 227

Probationary # 98444

Regd. #  23???

Rank:   Constable

Stations:  Sydney District Anti Theft Squad

Service:   From pre 26 June 1987  to  5 May 1989 = 1+ years Service

Awards:  Star of Courage ( SC ) ( Posthumously )

Commissioners Valour Award ( VA ) ( Posthumously )

Born: Friday  1 June 1962

Died On:  Friday  5 May 1989

Event:  Shot – wounded – Murdered

Event location:  Woolloomooloo

Event Date:  24 April 1989

Died:  5 May 1989 ( 9 days after event )

Cause:  Murdered – shot twice

Age:  26 yrs  11 mths  4 days

Funeral date:  9 May 1989

Funeral location:  St Mary’s Anglican Church

Buried at:  Cremated.  East Ballina Cemetery, McQueen Family Wall, Sec: Niche, Lot # 2

GPS: 28*51’47″S / 153*35’26″E

Memorial: 1/ Yurong Parkway, Phillip Park , Sydney, 2000

GPS:  Lat: -33.872583 / Long: 151.213778

2/ Sydney Police Centre, McQueen Room, 151 – 241 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills.

3/  Police Launch McQueen???.

ALLAN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

[divider_dotted]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19890430&id=4DRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4933,9248506&hl=en

                        The Sydney Morning Herald        12 May 1989     p2 of 74

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19890512&id=rDJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2205,1063653&hl=en

http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/crime/display/100949-constable-allan-wayne-mcqueen

The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday, May 10, 1989

Moving tributes for police nice guy ‘Big Al”

By LINDSAY SIMPSON ” Chief Police Reporter As one of “Big Al’s” best mates read a moving eulogy, burly police officers, hats in hands, bowed their heads and cried. Big Al was Constable Allan Wayne McQueen, the well-mannered policeman from Kyogle who died in the line of duty, shot trying to apprehend a suspected car thief in Sydney.

Constable McQueen, who had been in the force two years, had been picked to work with the Anti-theft Squad a training ground for young officers on their way to becoming detectives. Big Al, who spent three years trying to become a police officer, was known by that name “not so much because of his height but because of his heart”, said Cheryl Coleman, whose husband had shared a house with Constable McQueen in Coffs Harbour.

As Senior Constable Steve Tedder, who gave one of the eulogies said, “Big Al had the basic love and desire to become a police officer”. In 1986, while running his own cleaning business in Coffs Harbour, he built his own house and several local police officers became his flatmates. At that stage he had five jobs and was studying at night for his HSC English in an attempt to become a police officer. About this time, before he was even in the force, he saved a man’s life. The man had quarrelled with his girlfriend outside a local night club and had head-butted a pane of glass. The glass had cut his throat and Al tore his shirt off and stemmed the flow of blood while waiting for the ambulance.

Big Al. who trained as a boxer and played Rugby League, was not always the muscle builder he was at the time he joined the force. His former Rugby League coach at Kyogle High School, Mr Stan McBride, said that in the 14-year-old competition he had been the second smallest kid in the group.

Ballina townspeople also came to the funeral service. One local, Mrs Val Studdert, said she had never met Allan McQueen but had come out of respect for what he had done. “If we don’t have law and order, we have nothing,” she said.

The pallbearers wore pistols. Perhaps that’s the way it has to be these days, but they touched the pretty white wooden church in the green countryside with vulgarity. They were big, strong young men and their bulky police uniforms made them bigger, so that when they came to the narrow church door carrying their mate’s coffin, they could barely squeeze through. In any case, the coffin seemed too narrow for a young man as big as Allan McQueen.

Nearly 300 police went to his funeral in Ballina yesterday along with his mother and father, Mr John and Mrs Shirley McQueen, and 300 family and friends. They spilled out of St Mary’s Anglican Church into a church hall, where the service was shown on video, and out of the hall on to the grass, where they listened through loudspeakers.

If we are to still violence, we must cherish life. Yesterday, 26-year-old Allan McQueen’s life was cherished. Today, others will cherish the life of 32-year-old David Gundy, the unarmed man killed in a police raid following Constable McQueen’s mortal wounding. Spring had sung in both men for only a while before life escaped them in violence. Senior Constable Graham White told the mourners that Allan McQueen had been a man of honour, love and integrity and a man whose word could be relied upon. He did not search for riches but for life itself, said Constable White. “Today he would be saying, ‘Let’s get on with it. Let’s not have all this fuss and bother’.”

Detective Senior Constable Steve Tedder said that the day McQueen received the letter of his acceptance into the force, “his face lit up as if Manhattan had lit up”.’ Constable Tedder lived with Constable McQueen in Manly and called his mate “Big Al”. “What a joy he was to live with,” he said. Constable McQueen had made more friends in 18 months in Manly than Constable Tedder had in 28 years.

Colleagues of slain policeman Allan McQueen weep as he is laid to rest in Ballina yesterday. One of his favourite expressions was: “Not a problem“. Another was: “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” Constable Tedder said it was somehow appropriate that Allan McQueen began his long battle for life on April 24, the day before Anzac Day. That was the day Allan McQueen became a hero. Police Commissioner John Avery said Constable McQueen had exhibited the qualities of a police leader of the future. “His father said it was a waste of a fine young life, and I agree,” said the Commissioner. “His was an unforgettable example of courageous service that will enshrine his name in the annals of the history of NSW.” Mr Avery quoted Virgil: “Blessings on your young courage, boy, for that is the way to the stars.”

Outside the church, a senior policeman said: “There’s a finality to heroism.” Mr Athol McQueen, a cousin and the boxer who knocked down champion Joe Frazier in the 1964 Olympic Games, said: “I hope there are more young blokes around like him.”

” The police band played a funeral march for their colleague, past Sunnyhaven Flats. The open-faced country folk let the tears run down their cheeks. As the cortege passed a place called Camelot, on the way to the Lismore Crematorium and another place called Goonellabah, an old woman stood at the roadside and said : “Poor little fellow.” At the crematorium flowers spelled out the letters NSWP -New South Wales Police on the hillside.

A young policeman picked up a rose and handed it to a young woman. , ‘ Mr John McQueen wipes away a tear as he stands with his wife Shirley at their son’s funeral.

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123586879/

---

 

https://www.opengov.nsw.gov.au/viewer/e97f9949de7fce571e09f3baa392f1a4.pdf

John Irving BURGESS

New South Wales Police Force

Goulburn Police Academy Class # 216

Regd. # 22455

Rank: Commenced Training – 28 October 1985

Probationary Constable – appointed 17 January 1986

Constable – appointed 17 January 1987

Final Rank: Constable

Service:  From 28 October 1985 to 29 April 1989 = 3+ years Service

Stations:  ? ,Balmain ( 8 Division ) – death

Awards:  ? nil find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Monday  25 April 1960

Event date:  Thursday  27 April 1989

Event location:  Booth St & Jonston St, Annandale, NSW

Event type: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Caged vehicle – Urgent Duty ( Passenger: Cst Andrew Mortimer )

Died:  Saturday  29 April 1989

Age:  29 yrs  4 days  ( 4 days into his 29th year )

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland

Buried at:  Cremated;

Ashes – Wall of Memories, Panel 30, GG, 0256

JOHN IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance but the DATE is INCORRECT

Should read 29 April 1989

About 2.25am on 27 April, 1989 Constable Burgess was driving a caged police vehicle in Booth Street, Annandale. Constable Andrew Mortimer was observer in the vehicle and they were responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad police. At the intersection of Johnston Street, the police vehicle collided with a semi trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died two days later ( on the 29 April ) at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when life support systems were turned off.

The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 October, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

The Canberra Times

Monday  1 May 1989   page 3 of 36

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/122258616

Further reading:  https://police.freom.com/woronora-cemetery-wall-of-remembrance/

Location of collision: 

John Hedley WARD

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ?

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  ?

Service:  From  ?  to  ?

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1959

Died on:  Friday  17 March 1989

Cause:  Motor vehicle collision – Police motor cycle

Age:  ?

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  ?

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

[alert_yellow]? is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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

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

 [divider_dotted]

 Event location: 

[divider_dotted]

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

[divider_dotted]

Shortly after 10.40pm on 17 March, 1989 Constable Ward was riding a police motor cycle home along Milperra Road, Milperra at the completion of his rostered shift. Near Ashford Avenue an offending driver who was fleeing the scene of a minor motor vehicle accident lost control of his speeding vehicle. The vehicle crossed onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided with Constable Ward’s cycle. The constable suffered severe head and internal injuries and was found to be dead on arrival at the Bankstown District Hospital.

The constable was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 24 July, 1982. At the time of his death he was attached to the Balmain District Highway Patrol.