Angela Rose TAYLOR

Victoria Police Force

[blockquote]The FIRST female Police Officer, in Australia, to be killed ‘ On Duty ‘[/blockquote]

Regd. #  24274

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, Melbourne City Watch-House

Service:  From  ?  to  20 April 1986

Awards:  National Police Service medal – granted 2016 & handed to her parents on the 30th anniversary of the Event date ( 27 March 2016 )

Born:  ? ? 1964

Died on:  20 April 1986

Cause:  Car bomb explosion – Murdered

Event date:  Thursday  27 March 1986

Event Location:  Outside of 336 Russell Street, Police Station, Melbourne.  Known as the

‘ Russell Street Bombing ‘

Age:  21

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Buried at:  Cremated

 Memorial at:  1/  Royal Melbourne Hospital – Angie Rose Taylor Ward – dedicated to Angie

2/   Angela Taylor Memorial Foundation – presented to the Dux of each Police Academy Squad

3/   Angela Taylor Fun Run

ANGELA IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May you forever Rest In Peace.

On March 27 1986, shortly before midday, Constable Taylor left the Russell Street Police Complex to collect lunches for her colleagues. As she stepped on to Russell Street, she passed within 1 metre of a car packed with gelignite. At this time, the gelignite was detonated and the car exploded, showering the area with shrapnel. Angela suffered severe burns to 70% of her body and was hospitalised as a result. However, she died on 20 April 1986.

Stanley Taylor and Craig Minogue were convicted and imprisoned over the bombing which was motivated by an intense hatred of police.

Victoria Police Association Journal   March 2006  p 10 & 11

It is 20 years since a car bomb exploded outside the Russell Street Police Complex – two decades since Constable Angela Taylor was mortally wounded as she crossed over Russell Street from the City Watchhouse.  The Police Association Journal editor Shirley Hardy-Rix spoke to Angela’s parents, Marilyn and Arthur Taylor to mark the anniversary of Angela’s death.

“It can seem like yesterday or it can seem like 20 years. But missing Angie is still as strong today as it was then; it’s just not accompanied with the pain.”

These are the words of a mother talking about a loved daughter 20 years after the criminal act that shocked the country and changed the Taylor family forever. Marilyn and Arthur Taylor admit that not a day goes by when they don’t think of their only daughter “not in a morbid way but in a joyful way”.

“That made me very proud.  Her graduation day was the part in my life when I was at the pinnacle, the top of the mountain. I’ve never been right up there since. I was so proud that she had helped others in her squad get through. She didn’t just do it for herself,” says Marilyn. She and Arthur were the proud parents on graduation day and happy participants in the celebrations that marked the beginning of what should have been a long and successful career.

In March 1986, Angela Taylor had just finished her probation and was working at the City Watchhouse. On March 27 – Easter Thursday – just on one o’clock, an explosion rocked Russell Street. A car bomb was detonated by a team of criminals. Angela was walking across Russell Street at that instant. Her injuries were horrendous and she would never recover. On April 20, after a long and courageous battle, Angela Taylor died.

“It is almost like we lost Angie twice. From the time of the bombing she never spoke to us again. Each of those dates is intermixed,” says Marilyn.

That day Marilyn Taylor was working at a small shop in South Melbourne. She heard on the radio that a bomb had exploded and a woman had been injured.

“I thought, ‘thank God it’s not my Ange’. I didn’t think of her as a woman, just as my Ange, my girl.”

When Marilyn Taylor walked down to the bank she saw a police car and just knew. It might have been a mother’s intuition. Marilyn wasn’t surprised to see the two police who came to tell her the news.

Arthur was also working that day and was later than usual getting home because he’d stopped to get some hot cross buns on the way. He was listening to the radio and heard the news that a policewoman was injured. He thought his daughter was safe because she was in the watchhouse.

“There was a car in the driveway and a couple of senior police. The penny dropped. I’m not a talkative person but I couldn’t shut up. I didn’t want to hear what they had to say so I just kept on talking. My worst fear was that she was dead – that’s what I didn’t want to hear.”

What followed was a rollercoaster. Marilyn and Arthur say they were carried on by events. They had no control. Their whole motivation was to be at the hospital. Each day they would get up and drive to the hospital. At the end of the day they would drive home and collapse into bed.

In 1986 Marilyn and Arthur weren’t offered any counselling to help cope with their grief.  “I thought if I saw a counsellor they would make it better – make me better but that is not what it does.”

Since Angela’s death many of those who knew their daughter have drifted out of their lives. “It is such a painful thing for so many people. Even the ones who loved Angie sometimes find it difficult to talk to Arthur and me.  And it is not that they don’t care about us, it is just too painful.”

The Police family haven’t forgotten Angela Taylor and this is a great comfort to her family. The Angela Taylor Memorial Foundation was established and the dux of every graduating squad receives the Angela Taylor Award.

These initiatives have all been part of the healing process.

Every year there is the Angela Taylor Fun Run. Marilyn and Arthur are always there to welcome the winners over the finish line and present trophies. It is an important day for them.  Marilyn admits in the early years she only went along because she had to but now she wouldn’t miss it.

“At first I did it because I had to – now I do it because I want to and I don’t know when that page turned.  Everyone who comes along – they are all special.  It gives us a lot of pleasure.”

Marilyn and Arthur receive great comfort out of the services held on National Police Remembrance Day. It is a special day in their calendar. In recent years they have become close to the Senior Police Chaplain, Jim Pilmer.

“We love Jim. He’s a special man. He is one of God’s chosen. He is a genuine man who gives great comfort to those people in the greatest pain. I love his services and we love going along to the Remembrance Day evening service. I like to hear the list of names read out and pray with the families and then go to the little chapel for private prayer. It is a closure for the day.”

Today Marilyn and Arthur are doting grandparents and spend time with their five grand-daughters. Four of these girls bear Angela’s name – Brooke Angela, Laura Angela, Alyssa Rose and Alex Jasmine Rose.

“They give another dimension, but nothing fills the hole of Angie,” says Marilyn.

In their garden are three Angela Taylor roses. They would love to see the rose named in honour of their daughter at the Police Academy and in each police station garden across the state.

The men responsible for the Russell Street Bombing were brought to justice. Marilyn and Arthur did attend the final day of the committal hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court across the road from the scene of the bombing.

Marilyn refused to look at the faces of the men who killed her daughter. Arthur attended the sentencing at the conclusion of the Supreme Court trial. Marilyn couldn’t face it.

“That’s how we keep a positive attitude. We don’t want these people to have any other part of my life. They’ve taken away more than is almost possible to cope with. They are not going to get in because I am not going to hate them because that would be soul destroying for me and those I love,” says Marilyn.

“We’ve avoided getting angry. Sometimes it is very hard to avoid getting angry and hating. It is such a negative emotion it would take over our lives and that wasn’t going to happen,” adds Arthur.

Marilyn and Arthur Taylor are wonderful people. They are filled with love when they could be torn apart by hate. They look at all that has been done in their daughter’s memory and are filled with pride.

“We are very proud and very humbled by the legacy of having the unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital dedicated to Angie and all the other memorials they have put up in her name. I know there are a lot of people who do a lot of work and put in a lot of time and effort into not letting Victorians forget these wonderful people who get up in the morning and put on the blue uniform because they love to do it.”

http://www.tpav.org.au/_documents/Journals/2006/March/2811e12e-ba48-45cd-b211-65339f4f374b/Jnl_2006_Mar_P10_11.pdf

The Angela Taylor rose

Release date: Fri 31 March 2006

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=4619

Shortly after 1.00 pm Thursday, 27 March 1986, a massive explosion occurred near the southern entrance to the Russell Street Police Complex when a car bomb was detonated. As a result of this act three people were injured, damage was caused to the façade of the police building and the central business district was thrown into confusion for hours as emergency workers struggled to cope with the disaster. Later Forensic tests showed the bomb had consisted of 50 sticks of gelignite packed into a motor car and surrounded by small pieces of metal which were meant to act as “shrapnel”. The investigation into the setting of the bomb began at once and continued for months. During that time two of the injured – Magistrate Ian West and Constable Carl Donadio recovered from their wounds. However Constable Angela Taylor who had suffered extensive burns to her body died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital 20 April 1986.

The Russell Street Bombing refers to the 27 March 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters complex in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The explosion was caused by a car bomb hidden in a stolen 1979 Holden Commodore.

The blast seriously injured 21-year-old Constable Angela Taylor, who died on 20 April, becoming the first Australian policewoman to be killed in the line of duty. A further 22 people were injured. The explosion caused massive amounts of damage to the police HQ and surrounding buildings, estimated at more than A$1 million.

The Age newspaper reported that the blast had such an impact because of the open-floor design of the offices acted like a claymore mine, sending more shrapnel as the blast ripped through the floors, seemingly adding more pressure to the blast as it followed its path. The station has closed down and been converted into apartments.

In the course of the investigation, a group of people including Stan Taylor, Peter Reed, Craig Minogue and Rodney Minogue were apprehended. The motive for the bombing seems to have been revenge against the police, as the bombers had previously been arrested and still resented their jail terms. In court, Taylor, Reed and Craig Minogue were convicted; Rodney Minogue was eventually acquitted on appeal.

On 7 October 1985, gelignite and detonators were stolen from the Tryconnel Mine at Blackwood. On 25 March 1986, a Holden Commodore was stolen. Both crimes were later found to provide equipment needed for the construction of the bomb.

On 25 April 1986, ten Victoria Police officers raided the Kallista home of Peter Michael Reed at 5.45 am. It was alleged that upon attempting to enforce the arrest by forcing entry to the premises, Reed produced a .455 Smith and Wesson revolver and fired at police, seriously injuring Det Sgt Wylie. Reed was then fired upon by Det Sgt Quinsee and arrested. Reed was charged with attempted murder, recklessly causing serious injury, using a firearm to prevent apprehension and possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances in addition to charges related to the Russell Street bombing. Reed later stated at his trial in unsworn evidence that:

“the police started the shooting and I only used his firearm in self defence.”

On 30 May 1986, police arrested Stanley Brian Taylor during a 2 am raid on his Birchip home. Brothers Craig and Rodney Minogue were arrested in a Swan Hill motel at 5.15 am later that day.

The crown did not allege that any person played any particular role in the bombing, but that each of them were members of a team which planned the bombing and caused the bomb to explode. Evidence against the accused was as follows:

Gelignite and detonators used in the construction of the bomb were of the same type as those stolen from Tryconnel Mine.

Gelignite was found at Reed’s house wrapped in newspaper containing fingerprints belonging to Rodney Minogue.

Craig Minogue owned a pair of side cutters which produced cuts similar to those found on detonator wires.

A file with traces of brass deposits matched with brass deposits found at the bomb site.
a block of wood from which a wooden part of the bomb had been sawn was found at Craig Minogue’s premises.
tinned copper wire, similar to that used with detonators found at the bomb site, was found at Craig Minogue’s premises.
residue of gelignite matched residue found at a previous address of Craig Minogue in Lower Templestowe.
evidence from a witness that Craig Minogue called around Easter 1986, to ask about the use of detonators.
a witness testified that Craig Minogue was seen driving a 1979 Holden Commodore around the CBD prior to the explosion.

– wiki

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=92297987

Young police constable, 21, killed in the Russell Street car bombing is awarded with a service medal 30 years after the tragedy

• Constable Angela Rose Taylor, 21, was killed when car bomb exploded
• She died of her injuries 24 days after Russell Street police station bombing
• Young policewoman has been remembered 30 years after the tragedy
• She was posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal 

By Jenny Awford For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 18:10 EST, 24 March 2016 | Updated: 19:26 EST, 24 March 2016

The young policewoman killed after a car bomb exploded in front of the force headquarters in Melbourne has been remembered 30 years after the tragedy – and awarded a service medal.

Constable Angela Rose Taylor, 21, died from her injuries 24 days after the bombing of Russell Street police headquarters on Easter Thursday, 27 March 1986.

She was the first policewoman to be murdered in the line of duty in Australia.

Her brother Michael Taylor paid tribute to the young officer at a memorial service on Thursday opposite the old Russell Street station, saying that she always had ‘a disdain for injustice’.

He recalled how as a three-year-old she fended off bullies by swinging a broom because they were teasing him over his leg calipers.

‘She had a strong belief we should all be treated equally,’ Mr Taylor said.

Constable Taylor was posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal at the memorial which was attended by officers, family and friends wearing pink roses in her memory.

It was given to her parents Marilyn and Arthur by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton on behalf of Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

Two men were convicted of the horrific crime which left Constable Taylor dead and 22 others injured.

One of the bombers, Craig Minogue, could soon apply for bail as his 28-year non-parole period comes to an end this year.

His co-accused, Stanley Brian Taylor, 59, was jailed for life with no minimum set.

Mr Ashton said while any parole decision is up to the parole board, he hoped Minogue ‘stays behind bars’.

Minogue, who was almost illiterate at the time of his arrest has gone on to complete a bachelor of arts degree, and has also obtained his Masters and PHD behind bars.

He also runs a website, on which he apologises for his behaviour in 1986.

‘I understand the pain and suffering that I have caused. I am very sorry for the crimes of my past, and I regret those actions very much and wish that I had not done them,’ he wrote on the site.

‘Thirty years is a very long time in prison, I was 23 when I came in and I will be 53 when I am eligible for release.

‘I hope to be able to somehow pass on to others the value that I have found in education and learning during that time.

‘That contribution I can make depends to a large extent upon others, and whether or not I am going to be given a chance to make a positive contribution,’ he said.

But Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin does not believe Minogue is reformed.

‘I am not convinced that he is the reformed Craig Minogue he is making himself out to be,’ he told 60 Minutes recently.

He went on to explain how Minogue murdered a man not long after being sent to prison for his part in the Russell Street bomb case.

‘Now if Craig Minogue is released tomorrow who’s to say it is not the old Craig Minogue who gets released.

‘What if you take his parking spot, you know, what if you bump into him in a bar?

http://video.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2016/03/24/5731756171013765268/640x360_5731756171013765268.mp4

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.

Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.

He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.

‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.

‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.

The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.

In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.
Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.
He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.
‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.
‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.
The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.
In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

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Man jailed thirty years ago for a Melbourne car bomb which killed a young policewoman is up for parole – but one officer who was there doesn’t think he’s reformed

• Convicted killer Craig Minogue may be eligible for parole this year 
• Minogue was jailed for his part in the Russell Street bombing in 1986
• A car bomb exploded near a police station killing a female officer
• He also killed a fellow inmate once he was put behind bars
• He has used his time behind bars to obtain a PHD 

By Belinda Cleary For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:09 +11:00, 21 March 2016 | Updated: 07:43 +11:00, 21 March 2016

A killer who has served thirty years behind bars for his part in the detonation of a bomb outside a metro police station may soon be eligible for parole.

Two men were convicted of the crime, Stan Taylor was sentenced to life without parole, and Craig Minogue was given 28 years without parole, which has now been served.

At 15 seconds past one on Easter Thursday afternoon in 1986 Russell Street, Melbourne best resembled a warzone.

 

A car bomb parked strategically outside the police complex exploded killing 21-year-old police woman Angela Taylor and 22 officers and civilians.

Minogue, who was almost illiterate at the time of his arrest has gone on to complete a bachelor of arts degree, and has also obtained his Masters and PHD behind bars.

He also runs a website, on which he apologises for his behaviour in 1986.

‘I understand the pain and suffering that I have caused. I am very sorry for the crimes of my past, and I regret those actions very much and wish that I had not done them,’ he wrote on the site.

‘Thirty years is a very long time in prison, I was 23 when I came in and I will be 53 when I am eligible for release.

‘I hope to be able to somehow pass on to others the value that I have found in education and learning during that time.

‘That contribution I can make depends to a large extent upon others, and whether or not I am going to be given a chance to make a positive contribution,’ he said.

But Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin does not believe Minogue is reformed.

‘I am not convinced that he is the reformed Craig Minogue he is making himself out to be,’ he told 60 Minutes recently.

He went on to explain how Minogue murdered a man not long after being sent to prison for his part in the Russell Street bomb case.

‘Now if Craig Minogue is released tomorrow who’s to say it is not the old Craig Minogue who gets released.

‘What if you take his parking spot, you know, what if you bump into him in a bar?

‘He is trying to get parole and he is trying to demonstrate to a parole board he is no longer a risk,’ he said.

 

Mr Rankin held back tears when remembering the death of Ms Taylor three weeks after she was injured in the bomb blast.

He helped put out some of the fire on the 21-year-old officer’s clothes and hair.

‘She was thrown across street dreadfully burnt,’ he said.

‘She was a fine young woman that lost her life,’ he said choking back tears after remembering the day, April 20, he found out she had passed away in hospital.

The police officer remembers the bombers had ‘a strong desire to kill as many people and injure as many people as possible’ with their contraption.

In fact the blast could have been a lot worse, a police investigation at the time found not all of the explosives found set into the car went off as was planned because the detonator was used wrong.

Paul Hetzel was a member of Taylor and Minogue’s gang, he helped police gain convictions, but in 1992 his partner’s granddaughter vanished.

Seventeen years later convicted child killer Leslie Camilleri came forward claiming to have killed Prue Bird of his own accord. Mr Hetzel believes she was taken from them in revenge.

‘I thought this is pay back just felt sick in the guts.’

Mr Hetzel said Minogue had threatened shortly after the explosion.

‘He was saying about that any bastard ever spoke about it and that, you know, they will be killed.

‘And that’s when he said wouldn’t it be a shame if anything happened to your little Prue.’

Minogue denies any involvement in the girl’s disappearance and murder. But police are not convinced.

‘There is no doubt in my mind Camilleri commit crime with others and that this crime is a payback for the Russell Street bombing,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Fisher told 60 minutes.

Minogue has said he intends to repay the community for his crimes by accepting the sentence, admitting his guilt and apologising, by making an effort to rehabilitate himself and by not re-offending upon release.

Minogue was not handed down extra time for the murder of his fellow inmate Tsakmakis in prison.

He is currently being held in a medium-security prison in Victoria.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3501405/Craig-Minogue-parole-thirty-years-Russell-Street-bombing.html

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 http://www.remember.org.au/Memorials/Scholarships/Angela-Taylor-Memorial-Scholarships

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Remembering Constable Angela Taylor

https://youtu.be/ktopk7Ff_iQ

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Forensic Investigators – Russell Street Part 5 HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrrMjRWket8&ebc=ANyPxKpWxnwJ2vgDT9orrGP7USgrmeJaNlGt3itEYD1DAFWjNNpzIk2Q4Po-MFFFoC8ggwQR_ofM48DGgV6tKDNkD1G6Lm6GFw

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Russell Street bomber dies in custody

October 19, 201610:44pm

Helen Velissaris  Australian Associated Press

Douglas George EDDY 

aka  Doug

Late of:  ?

“possible” relative in ‘the job’:  M.B. EDDY, NSWPF # 18260 ?

W.L.J. EDDY, NSWPF # 16868 ?

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class 097

Regd. #  10785

Rank:  Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 28 October 1963 ( aged 21 years, 3 months, 21 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 11 October 1963 ( aged 21 years, 4 months, 29 days )

Constable – appointed 28 October 1964

Constable 1st Class – appointed 28 October 1968

Senior Constable – appointed 28 October 1972

Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ?

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 11 January 1986

Senior Sergeant – appointed 30 September 1987

Final Rank:  Senior Sergeant – Retirement

Stations:   ‘D’ District ( 1964 ), ?, Casino – retirement

Service:  From 28 October 1963 to  26 July 1997 = 33 years Service

Awards:  National medal – granted 11 December 1980

1st Clasp to National Medal = granted 15 December 1989

Born:  Tuesday 7 July 1942

Died on:  Saturday  19 March 2016

Cause:  ?

Age:  73 years, 8 months, 12 days

Funeral date:  Wednesday  23 March 2016 @ 1.30pm

Funeral location:  Traditional Funerals Chapel, 636 Morayfield Road, BURPENGARY, QLD

Buried at:  Cremated

 Memorial at:  ?

DOUGLAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  *NEED MORE INFO

 Funeral location: 

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

 Stuart Charles LIVINGSTONE

aka  Deadrock & Livo

New South Wales Police Force

NSW Police Academy Class 154

Regd. #  17550

Rank:  Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday ? ? ?

Probationary Constable – appointed 4 April 1977 ( aged 22 years, 8 months, 14 days )

Constable – appointed 4 April 1978

Senior Constable – appointed 4 April 1986

Detective Sergeant – Retirement

Stations:  ?, Kings Cross ( early 1970’s ), Wagga Wagga Detectives, Wentworth Detectives, Dareton Detectives ( late 1980’s – early 1990’s ), Forbes – retirement

Service:  From  ?pre 4 April 1977  to  10 February 2006 ( Retirement ) = 29 years Service

Aged at Retirement:  51 years, 6 months, 20 days

Time in Retirement: 10 years, 1 month, 6 days

Awards:  National Medal – granted 28 April 1993 ( Sgt )

Born:  Wednesday 21 July 1954

Died on:   Wednesday  16 March 2016 in St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney

Cause:  ?

Age:  61 years, 7 months, 24 days

Funeral date:  Tuesday  22 March 2016 @ 10.30am

Funeral location:  St John’s Anglican Church, Court Street, FORBES

Buried at:  Cremated

 Memorial at:  ?

STUART is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  *NEED MORE INFO

 Funeral location: 

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

Olly ISAAC

Queensland Police Force – Public Servant

Regd. # ?

Rank:  Public Servant

Stations:  ?

Service:  From  ?  to  16 March 2016 = ? years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? ?, New Zealand

Died on:  Wednesday  16 March 2016

Cause:  Depression – Suicide

Age:  ?

Funeral date:  Wednesday  23 March 2016 @ 10am

Funeral location:  Broadwater Road Uniting Church
481 Broadwater Road Mansfield, Qld, 4122

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial at:  ?

OLLY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  *NEED MORE INFO

 Funeral location: 

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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16 MARCH 2016:

Ladies and Gents,

It is with heavy hearts that we report the death of a serving QPS member today.  Our deepest condolences to family, friends and the entire Centenary Patrol Group in Brisbane. We understand that your friend and colleague was a highly valued and extremely well thought of member of your team.

To all directly involved, we cannot ease your pain but rest assured that our thoughts, and those of all your blue brothers and sisters nation wide are with you now…

Joseph Frederick Marist BINGHAM 

( late of Rosemeadow )

New South Wales Police Force

Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 26 April 1949

Cadet # 812

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  7417[/alert_yellow]

Uniform #:  3533

Rank:  NSW Police Cadet – started 26 April 1949

Probationary Constable – appointed 16 October 1952

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 21 February 1977

Inspector – retirement

Stations:  ?, North Sydney, Wollongong, Newtown, The Rocks, Liverpool ( 22 Division – ‘ I ‘ District ), Bankstown, Revesby, George St North – 4 Division ( 1981 ), Petersham ( 1980’s ), Campsie ( 13 Division Traffic Sgt 1969 ) – retired

Service:  From  26 April 1949  to  16 May 1988 = 39 years Service

Awards:  no find on It’s An Honour – but was Awarded:  Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Born:  16 October 1933

Died on:  Friday  11 March 2016

Cause:  Heart failure

Age:  82

Funeral date:  Thursday  17 March 2016 @ 11.30am

Funeral location:  South Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington

Buried at:  Cremated

 Memorial at:  located at Leppington Rose Garden – where the Children’s grave’s are.  Both Joe and his wife – Colleen Mary BINGHAM nee Daley, have a plaque each ; on one head stone.  They both passed away 14 days apart, Colleen on the 25 February 2016 & Joe on the 11 March 2016 after being married for 58 wonderful years.

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

 [divider_dotted]

 Funeral location: 

[divider_dotted]

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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May you forever Rest In Peace.

[divider_dotted]

Colleen Mary Bingham nee Daley was born 20-02-1937 to 25-02-201.

Joe & Colleen met in Wollongong whilst Joe was a Constable, stationed there.

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Rex Lionel RIENECKER

( Late of Dapto )

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  4984[/alert_yellow]

Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 21 January 1946

Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 June 1972 –  retired

Stations:  ?, Gosford STP,  Lithgow PSB ( Public Safety Bureau ), Gosford PSB ( again? ), Wollongong ( 82 Division ) – retirement

Service:  From  ?  to  28 April 1981 = 35 years Service

Awards:  ? – nil found on It’s An Honour

Born:  Wednesday  20 November 1912

Died on:  Tuesday  8 March 2016

Cause:  ?

Age:  91

Funeral date:   Tuesday  15 March 2016 @ 11.30am

Funeral location:   Uniting Church, 122 Princes Highway, DAPTO

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial at:  ?

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

 [divider_dotted]

 Funeral location: 

[divider_dotted]

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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Rex, may you forever Rest In Peace.

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REX LIONEL RIENECKER

RIENECKER REX LIONEL

Passed away peacefully, after a long illness on March 8, 2016.

Loving son of Max and Maude (Jo), (both dec). Beloved husband of Helen. Dearly loved father and father in law of Kim and Peter, Megan and Peter, Jann and Phillip. Much loved Grandad of his grandchildren Ben, Stuart, David, Michael, Jack, Samuel, Matthew, Fergus, Ruby, Harry. Loved brother of Elaine (dec). Loving uncle of John, David, Caroline.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of 3rd Level, Wollongong Private Hospital.

Aged 91 Years

God has you in his keeping,

we have you in our hearts

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Rex to be held at Uniting Church, 122 Princes Highway Dapto on Tuesday 15th March, 2016 at 11:30am.

Published by Illawarra Mercury on Mar. 12, 2016

http://tributes.illawarramercury.com.au/obituaries/illawarramercury-au/obituary.aspx?n=rex-lionel-rienecker&pid=178003617&fhid=31495

Stephen John DENNETT 

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  11245

Rank:  Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 2 November 1964 ( aged 23 years, 6 months, 24 days ) with Class 101

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 4 December 1964 ( aged 23 years, 7 months, 25 days )

Constable – appointed 2 November 1965

Constable 1st Class – appointed  ? ? ?

Senior Constable – appointed 2 November 1973

Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 31 December 1987

Senior Sergeant – appointed ? ? ?

Stations:  ?, Bankstown ( 1983 – returned to Sgt 3/c uniform after CI Duties ), Planning Unit – Retired

Service:  From   2 November 1964  to   3 November 1993 = 29 years, 0 months, 1 day Service

Age at Retirement: 52 years, 6 months, 25 days

Time in Retirement:  22 years, 4 months, 8 days

Awards:   National Medal – granted 2 March 1981

1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 October 1991

Born:  Wednesday 9 April 1941

Died on:  Friday  11 March 2016

Cause:  ?

Age:  74 years, 11 months, 2 days

Funeral date:   Thursday  17 March 2016 @ 2pm

Funeral location:   Shoalhaven Crematorium, Worrigee Road, Worrigee ( Nowra )

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial at:  ?

STEPHEN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  *NEED MORE INFO

 Funeral location: 

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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Stephen, may you forever Rest In Peace.

Denis Brian FETHERS 

aka  Brian

( late of Hamlyn Terrace )

New South Wales Police Force

Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadets on 12 October 1942

Cadet #  383

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  5512[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  Probationary Constable – appointed 17 March 1947

Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 16 May 1977 – retired

Stations:  ?, Fairfield ( 34 Division ) 1970 – 71 ), Blacktown – 27 Division mid 1970’s ( Sgt ),  HQ – College St Sydney – retirement

Service:  From  12 October 1942  to  29 June 1983 = 40 years Service

Awards:  ? – nil found on Itsanhonour

Born:  17 May 1926

Died on:  Tuesday  8 March 2016

Cause:  ?

Age:  89

Funeral date:  Tuesday  15 March 2016 @ 10am

Funeral location:  Rose Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, 57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial at:  ?

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

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 Funeral location: 

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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Denis,  your shift has finished mate.

May you forever Rest In Peace.

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Ian Borland: Brian was my Sergeant at Blacktown. A great bloke and a knowledgeable officer with a great sense of humour. Our shift was extremely close knit largely because of his way of running it. Rest in Peace Sergeant.

Paul Bernard Scott: I had the pleasure of working with Brian Fethers @ Fairfield in 70-71, agree with Borlo’s comments, very pleasant bloke, pleasure to work with,  Condolences to his family.

Kevin Bishop: Yes, like Col BELL Brian Fethers was our Relief Sergeant at Blacktown. RIP Brian Fethers

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Herman VAN DER VEGT

( late of Yanco, NSW )

New South Wales Police Force

Academy Class 135

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  15910[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  Probationary Constable – appointed 2 July 1973

Constable 1st Class – appointed 2 August 1978

Senior Sergeant – death

Stations:  ?,  B.A.S. Operator – early 1980’s ( Breath Analysis Section, Sydney ),

Rockdale ( SenCon ),

Punchbowl ( 13 Division ) Sergeant,

Leeton ( 1990’s  – 5 October 2002),

Service:  From  21 May 1973  to  5 October 2002 = 29+ years Service

Awards:  National Medal – granted 15 December 1989

1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 24 March 2000

Born:  3 November 1948

Died on:  Friday  4 March 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney

Cause:  Herman had a triple heart bypass in 1996.  In March 2015 he had another bout of heart issues which resulted in 7 – 8 heart attacks over 3 – 4 weeks ending with 15% heart function.  He had a heart device fitted but wasn’t 100%.  See further information below.

Age:  67

Funeral date:  Friday  11 March 2016 @ 2pm

Funeral location:  Leeton Lawn Cemetery, Boronia Rd, Leeton

Buried at:  Leeton Lawn Cemetery, Boronia Rd, Leeton

 Memorial at:  ?

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

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 Funeral location: 

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ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE & THEIR CAREER WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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May you forever Rest In Peace Herman.

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From Kerrie Vandervegt

Monday  7 March 2016 via FB

Dear Family and Friends of our Dad,
Herman Vandervegt. Sadly, our Dad passed away on Friday 4th March, 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney. We would like to invite you ALL to our Dads funeral service.

Friday 11th March, 2016
Leeton Lawn Cemetery
2pm

VANDERVEGT, Herman:

Passed away at St Vincents Hospital Sydney, on Friday, 4 March 2016.

Late of 9 Coonong Ave, Yanco.

Loving father of Kerrie Cameron and Deanne Vandervegt. Cherished Grandfather of Jacob, Nicholas and Alex.

Aged 67 years.

“Resting peacefully in Gods care.”

The relatives and friends of the late Herman Vandervegt are respectfully informed that a graveside service will be held on Friday, 11 March, 2016 at the Leeton Lawn Cemetery, commencing at 2.00 pm.

In Lieu of flowers donations will be greatfully accepted at the service on behalf of St Vincent Heart Transplant Unit Sydney.

08/03/2016  –  DEATH NOTICES

http://www.irrigator.com.au/classifieds/notices/

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Email received, via AustralianPolice.com.au, from Deanne Vandervegt on Wednesday 9 March 2016:

Hi Cal
My name is Deanne Vandervegt. I am the daughter of Herman Vandervegt DOB: 03/11/1948. Dad retired as a Senior Sergeant, from Leeton Police Station in 2002. He was in the police force from 21/05/1973-04/10/2002.

Dad has had heart disease / cardiac issues since 1996 which was also the year he had a triple bypass. 23/03/2015 he had his next bout of cardiac issues which took him through 7-8 heart attacks in 3-4 weeks, multiple admissions to St Vincents Hospital, Leeton Hospital, Wagga Wagga Hospital and Griffith Hospital, eventually resulting in end stage heart failure with less than 15% heart function. As it was the end of the road, we (dad, sister and I) decided to accept surgery of a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) which is a pump inserted into the left heart ventricle that forces injection and contraction of the heart to maintain circulation of blood and oxygen. After coming close to death so many times following this surgery, he finally turned the corner and spent 3 months in rehab. The LVAD essentially gave him life again, nothing close to the life he knew, but he was alive, and that was all that mattered to him. He was then placed on the heart transplant list, awaiting a donor heart.

On the morning of 16/02/2106 we received the phone call we had been praying for… A donor heart was a match. It had only been 6 months following the LVAD surgery, but this chance may never have come around again and whilst too early for our liking, he made his way via the first flight out of Leeton.

Surgery took place at 12pm and finally was completed at 1:30am. Whilst the heart transplant went ok, there were major complications removing the LVAD and things sadly went down hill from there. Major abdomen bleeds, several clots in the aorta and following, a massive heart attack which again, put him back into end stage heart failure resulting in only 5% heart function. No human can sustain “life” with 5% heart function. We requested they just give him some more time and let his poor body heal. A couple of days later we were informed his heart was worsening and the heart “reserve” they were hoping for, was no longer. My sister and I were asked to remove all support. Over several days it was evident that dad just could not conquer this fight, he’d given it everything, his all, and we had to leave him with dignity. Regrettably after removing support dad passed quickly on 04/03/2016.

If there is any other information I can assist with, please contact me.

Regards
Deanne Vandervegt

On behalf of all us old and retired Police, may your father forever Rest In Peace.

Cal

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Email from Neville Briggs

Former Inspector, Singleton, NSW

I was saddened to see the announcement of the passing of Herman Vandervegt.

All that I could add to his history is that in the early eighties, Herman was one of the mobile Breath Analysis Operators ( The BAS operators in Sydney ) I met him in that role at the old no. 9 Division, Burwood.
Between 1986 and 1990, I was stationed at Punchbowl in Sydney and Herman was a shift Sergeant in those years at Punchbowl, 13 Division.

One amusing incident that I always remember is that one of the Punchbowl Constables came to me to complain that she couldn’t work with Herman on the night shift. The reason, I was told, was that in the car Herman played a radio station all night that only featured Country & Western music, and Herman knew all the songs and sang along with them all. The poor Constable was distraught. Lol.
Neville Briggs,
Former Inspector, Singleton NSW.

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Geoffrey Graham RICHARDSON

( late of Nelson Bay – formerly of Razorback )

aka  Buddha  &  Richo & Jedi

Husband of SenCon Margaret King

Academy Class 272

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  32260[/alert_yellow]

Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 15 May 1998

Constable – appointed 15 May 1999

Senior Constable –

Sergeant – appointed 26 December 2010

Stations:  Campbelltown LAC – 35 Division – 15 May 1998 – 26 March 2005,

Cobar 27 March 2005 – April 2010,

Central Hunter LAC  ( SenCon ) April 2010 – 26 December 2010,

Lake Macquarie LAC – ( Sgt ) 27 December 2010 – July 2015,

Port Stephens LAC – July 2015,  – Death

Service:  From  ? pre May 1998  to  5 March 2016 = 18 years Service

Awards:  Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery re Off Duty arrest at Nelson Bay on 6 February 2012

Commander’s Commendation

NSW Police Medal

National Medal

National Police Service Medal – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016

NSW Police Medal – 15 year Clasp – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016

The Commissioner’s Commendation for Service – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016

Born:  6 August 1972

Died on:  Saturday  5 March 2016 about 11.50pm

Cause:  Motor vehicle accident – driver

Event location:  Lovedale Rd, Allandale, NSW

Age:  43

Funeral date:  Monday  14 March 2016 @ 11.30am

Funeral location:  Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle, NSW

Buried at:  ?TBA

 Memorial at:  PTS12 ( PorT Stephens 12 ) police vehicle is dedicated in May 2016 to Richo with personalised number plates RCH012

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

 Funeral location:  ?TBA

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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Funeral Service Video

Funeral Service Feedback

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Dearly loved husband of Margaret. Much loved father of Patrick and Aiden. Loved son of Lofty Richardson and Jeanette Richardson. Loved son-in-law of John (dec) and Heather King. Loving brother of Warwick, Grant, Andrew, and Adrian. Loving brother-in-law of Denise, Eric, Raymond, Gordon, Annette, Robert, and John and uncle to their families. Valued member of the NSW Police Force Family.

Family, Friends and Colleagues are invited to attend a Funeral Service to be held in Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle on MONDAY (March 14, 2016) commencing at 11:30 am.

No flowers by request, donations in lieu may be made to NSW Police Legacy –
geoffreyrichardson.
gofundraise.com.au

France Family Funerals
Nelson Bay 4981 4488

Monday, 14 March 2016

Wish we had been able to get to know you better. RIP.

~

Kristie and Rohan Harrison,

Charlestown, New South Wales

http://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/smh-au/obituary.aspx?n=geoffrey-richardson&pid=178002695&fhid=31487&eid=sp_ommatch&eid=sp_ommatch

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RIP Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson thank you for your service, thoughts & prayers go out to your wife Senior Constable Margaret King, & your two young sons.

The NSW Police Force lost a highly respected and much-loved member of its family last night.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens LAC – NSW Police Force was killed when the police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale, around 11.50pm yesterday (Saturday 5 March 2016).

At the time, Sergeant Richardson had been driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.

Further police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene, and got there a short time later, however Sergeant Richardson had passed away before their arrival. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The matter is now the subject of a Critical Incident Investigation, which will be supported by the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit and overseen by the Professional Standards Command.

Sergeant Richardson graduated from the NSW Police Academy in 1998. He served the Campbelltown LAC – NSW Police Force as a Constable until 2005, when he was transferred to Cobar and promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.

In April 2010, he was transferred to Central Hunter Local Area Command, before moving to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command upon his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in December 2010.
He served Lake Macquarie LAC – NSW Police Force until July of 2015, at which time he transferred to Port Stephens Local Area Command.

Sergeant Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012.

In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served.

Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.

As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson’s family , his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation.

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Police investigating death of father-of-two sergeant in NSW Hunter Valley crash

A police sergeant who died after his squad car crashed into a tree in the NSW Hunter Valley last night has been remembered as a highly respected officer and a loving father to two young sons.

Port Stephen area Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, 43, was driving through Allandale on his way to help other officers in a pursuit when his car ran off the road and crashed into a tree about midnight.

He was the sole occupant of the patrol car and died at the scene.

TRIBUTES FOR SERGEANT GEOFFREY RICHARDSON

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Supporting the family of Sgt Geoffrey Richardson

In support of the Police Family your Association with NSW Police Legacy has set up a fund for the family of Sgt Geoffrey Richardson killed in a motor vehicle accident on the weekend.

The details are:
NSW Police Legacy Appeal
BSB: 815 000
A/C: 282951S1 omit S1 if not transferring from a Police Bank account
(The S1 is only used for Police Bank to Police Bank transfers.)

Members wishing to donate to the family can also do so via the GoFundraise site: http://geoffreyrichardson.gofundraise.com.au/

Links to the fundraising site have also been added to the PANSW website homepage.

The 43-year-old Sergeant (Class 272 – 18 Years Service), who’s wife is Senior Constable Margaret Richardson (Nee King), was a much-loved husband and father with two young sons Patrick aged seven and Aiden five months of age.
As many members would be aware, Sgt Richardson was killed on his way to help colleagues engaged in a pursuit in the Hunter Valley, NSW.
It’s at these times the strength of the police family is fortified as we rally together to support the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic loss.
Like any member of the emergency services would know – it takes a great deal of courage to leave your own family behind to protect those you have never met on a daily basis.
It takes a particular type of person to step forward, often into harm’s way, and commit himself or herself to such a job, and to give up peace of mind to preserve it for others.
Our thoughts are with our fallen colleague, his family and friends and fellow officers at Port Stephens Local Area Command during this difficult time.

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NSW Police Force FB page:  Tuesday 8 March 2016

A man has been charged with a number of pursuit-related offences after a police officer died in a motor vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley at the weekend.

About 11pm on Saturday (5 March 2016), police became involved in a pursuit with a white Ford Falcon sedan on Ken Tubman Drive Maitland, after it allegedly failed to stop.

The pursuit continued for approximately 30 minutes before police lost sight of the vehicle.

VALEDICTORY – Sergeant Geoffrey Graham Richardson???
As delivered by NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM:

At about 11.50pm on Saturday the 5th of March 2016, Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, from the Port Stephens Local Area Command, was driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit.
The police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene by nearby residents, and they arrived a short time later. Sadly, Sergeant Richardson had passed away before they arrived.
Sergeant Geoffrey Graham Richardson attested as a Probationary Constable on the 15th of May 1998.
He commenced general duties at Campbelltown before being confirmed at the rank of Constable on the 15th of May 1999.
He remained at Campbelltown until the 26th of March 2005 when he transferred to Cobar in far western New South Wales. While at Cobar he was promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.
After just over five years at Cobar, Sergeant Richardson moved to the Central Hunter Local Area Command.
Shortly thereafter, on the 26th of December 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and commenced duties at the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command.
Sergeant Richardson transferred from Lake Macquarie to Port Stephens Local Area Command – his final posting – in July 2015.
He was awarded the NSW Police Medal and the National Medal. He also received a Commander’s Commendation, a Region Commander’s Unit Citation, and many accolades from people in the community who had written in appreciation of his compassion and professionalism.
The day before Geoff’s passing, I travelled to Dungog to honour the memory of Sergeant 1st Class William Bowen, who passed away 100 years ago as the result of injuries he received while on duty.
The occasion was a commemoration; a centenary; almost a celebration of his memory. Time had eased the rawness of the tragedy of his passing.
But it brings to mind a sobering message that danger has always been a police officer’s enduring companion. It’s there both on and off duty, at the back of mind or at front, possibly in individuals or groups, in buildings, on pavements, around corners and on roads.
Police officers place themselves in harm’s way to reduce violence, crime, and the fear of crime. Sometimes their oath to protect and serve, their determination to do the best by their community, has a tragic outcome.
The price is a terrible one, but one that police officers are prepared to pay because they believe that the values we hold – and the freedom we enjoy – are worth the sacrifice.
We all pay the toll but we do not pay in equal measure; the burden falls heaviest on the families of officers who fall in the line of duty. No one feels more keenly the death of a police officer than their loved ones.
And on this occasion the loss is even more keenly felt because Geoff’s wife, Margaret, is also a police officer. Not only sharing the bond of family, but also sharing the ideals of protecting people and having to face hardship, conflict, and potential danger together.
Margaret, Patrick and baby Aiden have lost an adored husband and father. His father Graham – better known as Lofty – and mother Jeanette have lost a dearly-loved son; Warwick, Grant, Andrew and Adrian their friend, companion and brother.
However much we would like things to be different, nothing we do or say can change what has happened. All we can do is honour Geoff’s memory and hold his family in the warm embrace of the Police family.
Geoff was a much-loved and respected police officer. He was known as Geoff or “Richo”. To his close mates he was “Buddha”.
In the words of one colleague, he was a “policeman’s policeman”… committed to his job, committed to his mates, and committed to the community he served, and of which he was a part.
He was the exemplar of a family man. With his son Patrick, Geoff was involved in local junior Rugby and he was also deeply committed to his local Anglican Church – another bond that he shared with Margaret.
He took great pride in his uniform. He was always immaculately turned out and wanted other police to share that same pride. He was a protocol officer and serious about it. He understood that the way police present themselves matters; that authority brings with it a responsibility and that the symbols of office are important.
He wasn’t overbearing or a stickler. He led by example and other officers followed. He did not order or command or even badger. He didn’t need to.
And, by unanimous verdict, Geoff was not just a first-class police officer but a gregarious good bloke. A man popular with fellow officers and good with those he encountered in the course of work – he was firm with offenders but he would also empathise with victims.
One of his colleagues said of Geoff that his imposing stature and copybook attire never seemed to be a barrier to how victims responded to him. With Geoff they felt a genuine and comforting empathy in their time of need.
Geoff’s rapport with victims was part of a larger picture of a man who cared for those around him; especially his fellow officers. Geoff and Margaret were often in the vanguard of fundraising activities for colleagues in need.
Geoff himself was a peer support officer, an officer who volunteers to help colleagues in times of need. He would often reach out to colleagues he could see were in need of some support.
But it would be misleading to characterise Geoff as just a big-hearted Good Samaritan. As I said, he was equally at home handling a violent offender as he was with supporting the victim of an assault.
In fact, given the occasion, both husband and wife presented a formidable law enforcement presence.
The Region Commander’s Unit Citation he received was in recognition of bravery and commitment to duty when arresting offenders while off-duty in Nelson Bay on the 6th of February 2012.
What is remarkable about this incident is that the other recipient of that unit citation was his wife, Margaret. Together, while off-duty, they attended the scene of a collision to render assistance, but were confronted by a crowd of 10 to 15 hostile people.
Their citation read in part, “The officers responded to a motor vehicle collision to ensure the welfare of the occupants. Instead they faced a volatile and dangerous crowd who were actively protecting an offender and hindering police response.”
Despite both being assaulted, they managed to detain the driver and several other offenders, who were charged with various offences including High Range PCA, resisting arrest, hindering police, affray and malicious damage.
A key principle that underpins our Police Force is the notion that Police are the community, and the community are the Police. The reputation and success of the NSW Police Force therefore depends on the trust the community places in each and every police officer.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson epitomised all of the qualities needed to gain – and to maintain – that trust.
It is inevitable and appropriate that we grieve and feel his loss. To my mind, it is just as appropriate that we do his career and life proper justice; that we honour his memory by following his example.
We, all of us, can do well to look out more for others, at work and outside of work. To lead through our actions. To live our ideals.
Through his family, Geoff’s memory also lives on. And through his wife Margaret, his commitment to service will also live on.
It is my honour today, to posthumously confer three awards on Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
The National Police Service Medal: recognising his ethical and diligent service in protecting the community.
The establishment of the National Police Service Medal was signed by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in November of 2010, and the Governor General awards the Medal on the recommendation of the responsible Commissioner of Police.
The 15 year clasp to the NSW Police Medal: recognising his ethical and diligent service.
After being approved by the Minister for Police and the Commissioner of Police, the medal was instituted on the 5th of February 2002. The medal is NOT awarded automatically for length of service. It is only awarded after a detailed review of the nominee’s service history to ensure the service was ethical and diligent. The clasp to the medal denotes the length of ethical and diligent service.
And:
The Commissioner’s Commendation for Service.
In part the citation reads:
…. for outstanding and meritorious performance of duty as a member of the New South Wales Police Force, from 1998 to 2016 ….
Sergeant Richardson has displayed integrity, loyalty, commitment, professionalism and devotion to duty as a member of the New South Wales Police Force and is highly commended for his service.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson gave his life in the very way he had lived it; in the service of others.
His loss, tragic for his family and many friends, is profound for each and every one of us. No words are quite adequate to express or diminish that loss.
His passing reminds us that preserving our values and our freedom can exact a heavy toll. A toll that is not shared equally in our community.
We farewell Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson but he will not be forgotten. As is right and proper, his name will be etched into the granite of the Police Wall of Remembrance in Sydney as a permanent reminder that he laid down his life for the people of New South Wales.
I am humbled and deeply honoured to represent every member of the NSW Police Force here today to farewell a highly-regarded police officer who served his community with courage, honour and distinction.
A husband and father.
A son and brother.
A friend and colleague.
A police officer.
Vale Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
Our prayers go with you … may you rest in peace.

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Boy’s poem for policeman killed in accident

TOM Finlay, 13, wrote a poem after he saw the funeral procession for Port Stephens police sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.

His teacher at Newcastle Grammar School had suggested poetry as a way for students to process the funeral taking place across the road at Christ Church Cathedral.

Tom’s poem is reproduced below.

The Great Knights of Port Stephens, by Tom Finlay.

Port Stephens, Port Stephens/Your knights are brave and bold

From the newest of the new, to the oldest of the old.

When criminal cometh to/Town, you mustn’t worry/For when knights hear thy/Criminals they come in quite a/Hurry.

But sometimes things don’t end/Like they do in the story,

Because some knights will end up/In heaven with all their glory.

But if your knight goes to heaven/You mustn’t feel a sting,

Because the great Richardson will/Give them their wings.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3819188/a-boys-ode-to-the-fallen-knights/?cs=12

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Tom Finlay’s poem brings police to tears

“HAVE you ever thought about it – would you ever see the police cry?”

The question at Newcastle Grammar School on Tuesday came from the Port Stephens police commander, Superintendent Chris Craner.

It was something Tom Finlay, a boy in year seven with autism, had asked himself.

Earlier this month Tom, 13, had watched from his school’s playground as the funeral procession for Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, who had died in a crash on his way to an emergency, wound its way into Christ Church Cathedral.

“I’d just been thinking how people go to work every day, and how not everyone comes home,” he said.

“So I just wrote it.”

When Tom’s mother Michelle posted his The Great Knights of Port Stephens on social media, it got back to the police mourning one of their own.

In the superintendent’s words, “there were tears in the station”.

Some of the officers who read Tom’s poem – and the poems penned by his classmates, at the suggestion of their teacher Jordan Grant – attended Tuesday’s school assembly to express their thanks.

Outside, Senior Constable David Wynne from the dog squad introduced students to an as-yet unnamed pup being trained as a police dog, and the bravery award-winning German shepherd Ulrich demonstrated how to follow a scent.

Supt Craner said “carloads of cops” had wanted to visit the school, and he thanked Tom personally.

Shane Finlay said he was “amazed at how far” his son had come in his studies and social interactions with the help of his teachers at Newcastle Grammar and his previous teachers at the Aspect Hunter School for students with autism.

“The [autism] spectrum is wide, and in the last four years he’s really come on,” Mr Finlay said.

“I mean, he wrote that poem in 20 minutes.”

His mother Michelle Finlay added, “everything he does blows us away”.

About 1000 mourners, including NSW Governor David Hurley and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, attended the funeral earlier this month of Sergeant Richardson, who died aged 43.

Sgt Richardson is survived by his police officer wife Senior Constable Margaret King and their two young sons Patrick and Aiden.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3818739/tears-for-toms-poem/

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New Port Stephens police car a fitting tribute for fallen brother in blue, Geoffrey Richardson

THE newest addition to the Port Stephens police command’s fleet is not just any other car; it is a fitting tribute to fallen brother in blue Geoffrey Richardson.

Light blue in colour and bearing number plates that read RCH, the distinctive police car will serve as a visual memory for officers and members of the community that have been affected by Sergeant Richardson’s death.

Port Stephens Sergeant Martine Morley said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be amongst the officers who will drive the car, which arrived on Wednesday.

“It is a wonderful tribute to a fantastic officer and work colleague,” an emotional Sergeant Morley said.

“It’s really quite a special thing; a really special tribute.

“Geoff is part of Port Stephens, he always will be.

“This just reminds us of that.”

Superintendent Chris Craner said the tribute to Sergeant Richardson, who died in the line of duty on March 5, came from Port Stephens officers who wanted to do something a little different.

“We had a couple of different ideas from different staff,” he said. “We wanted to do something a little bit different.

“It’s a change of colour, it’s a blue colour which represents a sergeant and it’s got personalised number plates that represent Sergeant Richardson.

“It’s just a nice way for the cops to look at the car and think about Geoff. And it’s a nice way for the community when you’re driving down the street to go ‘why is that a blue car?’ and find out why.

“The car tells a story and the story is Geoff. Geoff died on duty and his memory won’t be forgotten.

“You can walk out the front of the police station, have a look at this car, stop a minute, have a think about Geoff, jump in and take off.”

The car is a standard Toyota Camry. It will be driven by Port Stephens police Sergeants and used for patrols.

http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3918052/car-a-fitting-tribute-for-richardson/?cs=761