Touch Plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
GREG IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
About 4.20pm on 29 August, 1988 Constable Ashworth and Probationary Constable Currie left the Hornsby Police Station to attend an armed holdup at the West Pennant Hills branch of the National Bank. Whilst travelling along Pennant Hills RoadConstable Ashworth swerved to avoid a stationary semi-trailer at the intersection of Stuart Avenue and collided with a median strip, causing the police vehicle to overturn onto the incorrect side of the roadway and hit an oncoming vehicle. As a result Constable Ashworth sustained severe head and internal injuries and although quickly attended to by Constable Currie, he died a short time later.
The constable was born in 1966 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 September, 1986. At the time of his death he was stationed at Pennant Hills.
Event location:
The Holdup alarm, mentioned above, was a ‘false alarm‘.
Greg was aspiring to join the Pennant Hills Police Rescue Squad and, had he not died so early in his career, he was on his way to being nicknames ‘Bluey’ – no doubt a reference to him having red hair.
The accident happened on an uphill left hand curve near the Thornleigh tip.
As was the custom of the day, the vehicle was returned to the police station and was placed outside of the Meal Room at Hornsby Police Station where it was visible through the meal room window – awaiting Mechanical examination, and was visibly stained with blood.
Death Notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 31 August 1988.
Themelis Arthur MACAROUNAS
| 27/10/2012
Themelis Arthur MACAROUNAS
aka Tim MACAROUNAS
Maybe related to Lisa Macarounas – NSWPF # 44834
NSW Police Academy, Goulburn – Class # 225
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 23???
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 5 January 1987 ( aged 21 years, 11 months, 8 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 27 March 1987 ( 22 years, 1 month, 27 days )
.
Final Rank: Probationary Constable
.
Service: From 5 January 1987 to 20 October 1987 = 9 months, 15 days Service
Age at Leaving NSWPF: 22 years, 8 months, 22 days
Time in Retirement: Zero
.
Stations: Paddington – Death
Event date: Monday 12 October 1987 about 3.35am
Event location: Oxford St, near Oatley Rd, Paddington, NSW
.
Death date: Tuesday 20 October 1987 @ 4pm in St Vincent’s Hospital
Born: Thursday 28 January 1965
Age: 22 years, 8 months, 22 days
Cause of death: Motor vehicle collision – Pursuit – Driver
.
Funeral date: Friday 23 October 1987
Funeral location: ?
.
Buried at: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, 12 Military Rd, Matraville, NSW
Grave Location: General FM 32, G32, Plot 1435
GPS of Grave: ????????????
Probationary Constable Themelis Arthur (Tim) MACAROUNAS
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
TIM IS Mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
About 3.35am on 12 October, 1987 the constable was driving a police vehicle along Oxford Street, Paddington assisting a Rose Bay Police vehicle in the pursuit of a stolen car.
As the constable’s vehicle travelled around a sweeping left hand bend, the stolen vehicle, followed by the Rose Bay Police vehicle, was attempting a U turn at the intersection of Oatley Road.
Constable Macarounas applied the brakes however the wheels of his vehicle locked and the vehicle spun around before colliding with a light pole.
After being trapped in the damaged vehicle for about forty minutes, Constable Macarounas was conveyed to St Vincent’s Hospital suffering severe head, chest and internal injuries.
He died on 20 October, 1987 @ 4pm.
The constable was born in 1965 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 January, 1987. At the time of his death he was stationed at Paddington.
Source: Kevin BANISTER Inscription Themelis (Tim) Macarounas 28.1.1965 – 20.10.1987 Aged 22 Yrs 9 Mths. In Memory Of Our Beloved Son And Brother Who Passed Away On The 20th October 1987 As A Result Of Injuries Sustained In An Accident On the 12th October Whilst In Pursuit Of A Stolen Vehicle In Oxford St. Paddington. “We Miss You So Much” Dad & Mum Anthony & Christopher-Troy.
Deadly toll
By Jonathan Pearlman November 6, 2004
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 18 August 1986
Probationary Constable – appointed 7 November 1986
Final Rank: Probationary Constable
Stations: Pennant Hills October 1986 to 3 June 1987
Awards: Nil
Service:
From 18 August 1986to 3 June 1987 = 11 months
Born: ? ? 1966
Died: Wednesday 3 June 1987
Age: 20
Cause: Illness – Suicide by Service firearm
Location: at Lane Cover River Park, Lane Cove.
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location:
Eastwood
Grave Location:Cremated
Memorial plaque at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW
Niche: Row ‘TO’, plaque # 348
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
Andrew Thomas DIXON. Plaque condition as of 8/9/2020
ANDREW IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
In April, 1987 Constable Dixonand other police attended a serious motor vehicle accident at Mt Colah. A person trapped in the vehicle became violent when released and Constable Dixon assisted in restraining him. During the struggle the constable was covered in a considerableamount of the injured person’s blood. It was later discovered that this person suffered from HIV/AIDS. Due to stress and concern over the disease, Constable Dixon drove to the Lane Cove River Park on 3 June, 1987 and committed suicide.
The constable was born in 1966 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 18 August, 1986. At the time of his death he was stationed at Pennant Hills.
From Kevin Banister – I remember this very well. I was working at Pennant Hills when Andrew arrived as a fresh faced Probationary Constable. He was a fine young man built like a brick s**thouse. When he was told that the accident victim had HIV/AIDS he began to withdraw very quickly. All at the station were concerned for his welfare and tried to help where possible.
On the afternoon of 3/06/87 Andrew had worked morning shift and I was on afternoon shift. At the hand over Andrew said goodbye with a smile on his face and went home, or so I thought. I was not aware that he was supposed to be attending the PMO (Police Medical Officer) for an appointment after work. I got a call from his mother just before sundown to say that Andrew had not come home and were concerned for his welfare. Pennant Hills was a Rescue Squad/General duties station at the time and I was the senior operator rostered on. I made a number of phone calls including to the Lane Cove station and Marrickville Rescue base. Not long after we received info that Andrew’s car had been located in a dead end street off Delhi Road beside the Lane Cove river.
As a result I and my offsider Bob Hanson attended in the Rescue vehicle. Numerous other Police vehicles arrived along with the Water Police. I organised a number of search parties and headed into the scrub towards the river. Reached the riverbank and saw that the Water Police had also began a search in the area we were in. Again, a short time later I and my offsider found the body of Andrew with his service revolver by his side. I indicated to the Water Police to come over (not using the radio) and told them that they were no longer required. The boat crew saluted and left the scene. A discrete message was sent to the command post as I knew that his parents were at the post and could hear the radio transmissions.
When we emerged from the bush with Andrew’s body many of the Police were in tears as he was a local boy and well known. His funeral was standing room only and the street blocked off for the overflow. During the period of the time of the accident and Andrew’s death he had a number of blood samples taken, but due to the technology of the time he was told that it could be some time before they knew if he had became infected. About a month after his death we were informed that he had not become infected. R.I.P. my friend.
Stewart COOK
| 27/10/2012
Stewart COOK
Late of Nelson Bay
Academy Class 110
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 12431
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 3 April 1967
Senior Constable – appointed 3 April 1976
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 January 1983
Sergeant 2nd Class – Death
Stations: ?, Newcastle ( Carrington 3 April 1976 – 5 January 1968 ), Hamilton ( 6 January 1968 – 25 February 1969 ),
Tarro ( 26 February 1969 – 14 April 1975 ), Beresfield ( 15 April 1975 – 2 June 1977 ), Berrima ( 3 June 1977 – 18 October 1982 ),
Bowral ( 19 October 1982 – 7 October 1986 ), Newcastle District Licencing ( 8 October 1986 – 7 May 1987 )
Service: From 20 February 1967to 7 May 1987= 19+years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 22 April 1983 ( SenCon )
Born: Monday 9 January 1939
Died on: Thursday 7 May 1987
Age: 48 years, 3 months, 28 days
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – returning home from shift
Event location: Anna Bay, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: possibly 14 May 1987
Funeral location: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, East Maitland
About 8.10pm on 7 May, 1987, Sergeant Cook was returning home to Nelson Bay at the end of his shift. As he was driving through Anna Bay his vehicle crossed to the incorrect side of the roadway and collided with an oncoming vehicle. He sustained severe head and internal injuries and died a short time later.
The sergeant was born in 1939 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 February, 1967. At the time of his death he was attached to the Newcastle District Licensing Section.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Wednesday 21 June 1978, page 11
Rescue of chef in Berrima fire
BERRIMA: A motel chef spent 20 minutes trapped by fire on a ledge 15cm wide and 13 metres above the ground at Berrima on Monday night.
Mr Michael Birt, 62, the chef at the historic White Horse Inn, now a mote! and restaurant,found the stairs leading from his second-floor bedroom to safety were on fire.
He climbed through a window and on to the ledge outside his room to await rescue.
Senior Constable S. Cook and a bystander using an extension ladder they found nearby , rescued Mr Birt as the flames spread upward.
The fire broke out on the first floor of the 100-year-old brick building just after 9.30pm.
Mr Birt was the only occupant and was in his room when he smelt smoke and found his path to safety blocked by flames.
Paul Mitchell Quinn – monument near the murder scene
Paul Mitchell Quinn – murder scene
Police Wall of Remembrance – touch plate for Paul Mitchell QUINN – Canberra
Dubbo Photo News, page 3, Oct 6 – 12, 2016
Late in the afternoon of 30 March, 1986 Constable 1st Class Quinn was involved in the high speed pursuit of a vehicle from South Bathurst towards Perthville.
At Perthville the offender lost control of the vehicle and collided with a bridge railing at the intersection of Bridge Street.
The offender then leapt from the vehicle with a .303 rifle and began to fire at the police who had been chasing him.
Constable Quinn was hit in the neck and killed instantly and Constable Ian Borland was seriously wounded.
The offender, Horan, was shot several times by police before being arrested and charged.
Fortunately Constable Borland recovered from his injuries. Constable Quinn was posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class.
The sergeant was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet on 4 July, 1977. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bathurst.
Other Police who assisted with this incident at the time of the shots being fired were Senior Constable John Andrew BYERS BM.
Chifley LAC has the ‘ Paul Quinn Award ‘ for the most outstanding Officer each year. Paul is Remembered within the Chifley LAC.
Childhood pain relived as policeman’s killer poised for release
January 14, 2004
The day Constable First Class Paul Quinn was buried with full police honours, his daughter Rebecca turned four. After a funeral that closed streets in the policeman’s home town of Bathurst, his five-year-old son, Chris, was still asking relatives when Daddy would be coming home.
Lost innocence . . . Chris and Rebecca Quinn aged five and four.
Yesterday the siblings sat together in distress again as the man who killed their sole-parent father was declared ready to return to the community after serving almost 18 years in jail.
Chris has had trouble with the law, but has shown talent as a lightweight boxer. Rebecca runs a coffee shop and turns 22 in a couple of months.
Supporting them was Inspector Ian Borland, who was seriously wounded the day Constable Quinn was killed and still works in Bathurst near where the pair encountered Patrick Francis Horan on Easter Sunday 1986.
The policeman and the Quinn siblings had been told Horan would be granted parole at his third attempt, but the decision moved Chris to climb over the public gallery and storm out the Hospital Road courtroom door.
Weeping outside, he was embraced by Inspector Borland, who still has bullet fragments in his body.
Inspector Borland, the Quinns and the NSW Police Association wanted to keep Horan, 63, locked up until he was dead.
John Watts, for Inspector Borland and the Quinns, had argued that Horan‘s lack of insight into his psychiatric problems and his refusal to acknowledge he had been the aggressor when Constable Quinn was killed made a “potent mix”.
But the Parole Board found Horan, a paranoid schizophrenic, was unlikely to pose a risk to others if he took his medication and that “the jail system is not a substitute for the treatment of people suffering from mental illness”.
Horan‘s prison behaviour had been exemplary and he successfully completed unsupervised work release. He had the family support of a brother and was engaged in “the admirable hobby of bee-keeping”, the board found.
Horan had not been taking his medication when his mother called police about his erratic and violent behaviour on the afternoon of March 30, 1986. One of the officers to respond to the call was Constable Quinn, then 25 and on duty at Bathurst for only his fifth shift since being transferred from Casino, to be near his parents.
After a pursuit that ended 10 kilometres south of Bathurst at Perthville, Constable Quinn got out of his car and ran towards Horan, who shot him in the left clavicle with a .303-calibre rifle.
The officer’s colleagues returned fire as Horan adopted what he described as a Rambo position and emptied the 10-round magazine in his .303.
Constable Borland, then 36, was shot in both legs and a hand, while Horan, who was hit by at least seven of 18 shots fired by police, continued shooting at five other officers.
Constable Quinn was posthumously promoted to sergeant.
In the Supreme Court sitting at Bathurst, Horan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental illness.
Justice Kep Enderby sentenced him to life, with separate terms for wounding with intent to murder Constable Borland and shooting with intent to murder other police.
In March 1998 Justice Peter Hidden set a minimum term of 16 years, which expired in 2002, and a maximum of 22. The crown did not appeal.
Horan will be released next Wednesday, under conditions that include his accepting psychiatric treatment and not entering Chifley Local Area Command, where Inspector Borland works.
ANOTHER LIFE LOST: Chifley Local Area Command Acting Inspector Lionel White ( # 24873 ) said police in Bathurst have been personally affected by the death of Constable William Crews in Sydney on Wednesday night. Photo: BRENDAN ARROW 091010
POLICE in the ChifleyLocal Area Command have been personally affected by the death of trainee detective William Crews.
The 26-year-old died in a Sydney hospital after he was shot while carrying out a drug operation on Wednesday night with seven other officers from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad in Bankstown, in Sydney’s south-west.
The officers were fired upon outside the targeted property in Cairds Avenue about 9pm. Constable Crews was hit in the head and neck.
Philip Nguyen, 55, has since been charged with shooting with intent to murder and discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Geehad Ghazi, 27, has been charged with possession of an unauthorised firearm.
Yesterday, Acting Inspector Lionel White said the tragic situation in Sydney had personally impacted on a number of officers who knew Constable Crews.
“It is a very shocking situation, a couple of the officers here at the Bathurst Police Station knew him and have been left very upset by the situation,” he said.
“Some of the officers worked with him and trained with him before he became a detective.
“For those officers, we are offering them support and counselling during this tough time.”
Reminding people of those officers who lost their lives in the Bathurst area in the line of duty is a memorial board naming the 13 policemen who have died in the line of duty.
Since Trooper Robert Lovell McDougall died in 1853 near Sofala, 12 officers have fallen in the line of duty in Bathurst area with Sergeant Paul Mitchell Quinn the last, on the March 30, 1986.
Acting Inspector White said the latest death in Sydney brought to the forefront the difficult circumstances that police can find themselves in daily.
“On top of the very mundane things we do every day this is a stark reminder of the dangers police officers can face while in the front line,” he said. “This very much reminded us of the risk officers sometimes have to take while in the line of duty.
The State government has logged objections to Patrick Horan a NSW prisoner’s planned release, convicted of the manslaughter of a police officer and seriously wounding another. Justice Minister John Hatzistergos says the NSW Parole Board intends to grant parole to Patrick Francis Horan, who committed the crimes near Bathurst in NSW’s central west in 1986.
Horan‘s 22-year sentence expires on March the 29th, 2008 but his 16-year non-parole period lapsed on March the 29th last year. Hatzistergos says he’s discussed the matter with Police Minister John Watkins, who he says is also shocked at the board’s intention to release Horan.
In relation to convicted offenders:
(1) What is the status of attempts by Patrick Francis Horan, who killed one police officer and wounded another, to obtain parole?
(2) What action have you taken to ensure that Patrick Francis Horan remains in jail?
Answer—
(1) I am advised by NSW Police that the review hearing on Mr Horan‘s application for parole has been adjourned by the Parole Board until 13 November 2003 pending reports from Corrective Services Health and the Serious Offender’s Review Board.
(2) I have expressed my concerns in writing to the Parole Board in relation to the release of Mr Horan.
Free… but banned from Bathurst By Brooke Newstead Jan. 14, 2004, 6:38 a.m.
POLICE killer Patrick Francis Horan will walk free next week.
However, he will not be allowed to return to Bathurst for at least five years.
The NSW Parole Board yesterday granted Horan full parole with the condition that he is not to enter the Chifley Local Area Command district.
His release date is set for January 21 and he will remain on parole for five years.
Horan was originally sentenced to life plus 125 years after shooting dead Bathurst police officer Sergeant Paul Quinn and injuring then Senior Constable Ian Borland at Perthville in 1986.
On November 13, 2003, he was granted day release and after being released for just seven day-release days since that date, he will now be allowed to fully integrate back into the community.
Subsequent conditions imposed by the Parole Board state Horan must undergo regular psychiatric assessment and counselling.
He is also never to approach any of the victims of the fateful night during which he shot dead Sergeant Quinn.
A prisoner advocacy group has welcomed news convicted police killer Patrick Francis Horan will walk free in a week.
Horan, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, has served the minimum 16-years sentence for the manslaughter of Bathurst police officer Sergeant Paul Quinn and the wounding of his partner, Inspector Ian Borland.
The New South Wales Government has criticised the granting of parole and promised to reform the composition of the parole board.
But a spokesman for Justice Action, Brett Collins, says it was obvious 17 years ago the man had mental health problems and his case needed special treatment.
“Instead we have a tragic situation where we have a policeman killed and another one disabled,” he said.
“Now for the police to actually present themselves at this stage as vengeful, as angry … when it’s clearly a mental health issue, one which requires compassion and requires understanding, it’s a shame.
“It’s not what we should expect from the police force and we certainly should expect better than that from the State Government.”
Mr Collins says it is important in this case to listen to the experts.
“So if you don’t listen to them and if in fact you still at the end of it as a government or as a police association are still saying at the end of it we are still angry, we still have hate, we want vengeance then that’s a misleading situation,” he said.
“We should accept the fact that the institution is there for the purpose of making a decision and accept the judgment of the umpire and give support to them.”
Horan is to be released next Wednesday on the condition he does not enter the Chifley local area command where Inspector Ian Borland works, for the next five years.
It is expected convicted police killer Patrick Francis Horan will issue a statement this afternoon after being released from Sydney’s Long Bay Jail.
Horan shot and killed Sergeant Paul Quinn during an incident in the State’s central west 17 years ago.
He served his minimum of 16 years in jail for killing Sergeant Quinn and injuring then Senior Constable Ian Borland outside of Bathurst in 1986.
Horan fired at police with a rifle after a high-speed car chase.
Corrective Services says Horan will read a statement to the media at the jail’s boomgate, just after his release at 3:00pm AEDT today.
The department cannot say where Horan will be moving, or what possible security arrangements have been made on his behalf.
The parole board has ruled that Horan will not be able to return to the Chifley local area command, where surviving officer Inspector Boland is still serving.
The board says Horan is not a danger to the public, provided he takes regular medication to treat his paranoid schizophrenia.
PROUD MOMENT: The parents of the late Sergeant Paul Quinn, Brian and Barbara, with the inaugural winner of the Paul Quinn Award, Acting Sergeant John Gallop ( # 35307 ). Photo: BRIAN WOOD 051712
SERGEANT Paul Quinn epitomised everything a police officer should be and yesterday the inaugural award named in his honour was presented at the Chifley Local Area Command’s medal ceremony.
Sergeant Quinn made the ultimate sacrifice when, on March 30, 1986, he was shot in the line of duty trying to arrest Patrick Francis Horan at Perthville.
Sergeant Quinn’s parents, Brian and Barbara, attended the ceremony, with Mrs Quinn presenting the recipient, Acting Sergeant John Gallop ( # 35307 ), with the prestigious award.
Local Area Commander, Superintendent Michael Robinson ( # 24785 ) said he approached the Quinn family with the idea of a perpetual award, after marking the 25th anniversary of Sergeant Quinn’s death last year.
“With the consent of Brian and Barbara, the Chifley Local Area Command has introduced a new award – the Paul Quinn Memorial Officer of the Year Award,” he said.
“It is a prestigious award which from now on will be a permanent part of the history of this command.”
Supt Robinson said what will make this award so special is the fact it will be awarded to an officer who has been nominated by his or her colleagues.
He said the award will focus on the officer who continually achieves; the person who epitomises the traits of excellence in policing.
“It’s not about a single effort – the best job, the most difficult or dangerous job,” Supt Robinson said
“This award targets officers who consistently perform to a high level; the officer who gets the job done, who goes the extra yard for the good of the community whether it’s for victims, witnesses, hunting down offenders or proactively engaging in the workplace.”
Presenting the award, Mrs Quinn described the day as both “proud and sad”.
“It never goes away,” she said.
Recipient, Acting Sergeant John Gallop said he was humbled by the award.
“It’s a massive honour to be judged by your peers,” he said.
“But I can’t help feel there are people more deserving,” he said.
Horan was released by the Parole Board on the evidence of a social worker who’s evidence was preferred over a forensic psychiatrist and Ron Woodham, who the Judge described as a public servant when dismissing his forty years experience dealing with the worst of the worst.
As the social worker approached the witness box to give evidence she stopped, hugged and kissed Horan. She has five years experience with Corrective Services.
There were six QC‘s representing many people including the Commissioner of Police, Corrective Services Commissioner, The Justice Minister, Attorney General, the Premiers Department, Ian Borland and Paul’s kids. All those representations were completely ignored in favour of her evidence.
Even worse, the Commissioner of Police’s representative on the Board voted to let him out. He went along with the unanimous decision of the Board.
To his good credit John Hatszistigos got rid of the Judge the next day.
Decision was unable to be reversed, C.O.P. did nothing about his representative as he is independent of the Commissioner?
Horan served nineteen years of a cumulative sentence of life plus a hundred and twenty seven years.
Hi Greg, just a quick note on the great work that you and your pages do, and that of the Wall to Wall Ride.
You keep the memories of those we have lost, very much alive.
On the Wall ride, all the individual groups and sometimes the whole ride, travel to places where our kin have lost their lives, and stop or salute to remember them.
Kudos to NSW for the great job they do on the memorials on the highway, and congratulations to ACT for the best procession on record.
Even a far away place like Perthville near Bathurst was visited and a token of remembrance 30 years on, was placed and left.
Remembrance is not a burden, its an obligation you can choose to carry… Lest we forget!
Stephen John TIER
| 27/10/2012
Stephen John TIER
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 18680
Redfern Police Academy Class # 163
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 9 April 1979 ( aged 18 years, 11 months, 6 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 25 June 1979 ( aged 19 years, 1 month, 2 days )
Constable – appointed 25 June 1980
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 25 June 1984
Final Rank: Detective Constable 1st Class
Stations: ?, Dapto – Death
Served: From 9 April 1979 to24 July 1985 = 6 years, 3 months, 15 days Service
Memorial location: External Wall leading into Lake Illawarra Police Station and photo, on wall, inside Lake Illawarra Police Station
On 24 July, 1985 Detective Constable Tier was the driver, and single occupant, of an unmarked police vehicle engaged in the pursuit of an unknown vehicle on the Princes Highway, Unanderra. During the pursuit the police vehicle left the roadway and collided with a telegraph pole.
The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 January, 1979.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Dapto.
STEPHEN is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Stephen Tier holding his son, Joshua Tier.
Det Cst Stephen John Tier – 20 April 1983 playing Police Football for Wollongong.
Stephen TIER – Touch pad at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
Stephen John TIER Memorial inside Oak Flats Police Station, NSW.
Police Remembrance Day:
JOSHUA BUTLER
Family members lay a wreath for Det Const Stephen John Tier. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI Lake Illawarra Commander Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis to the left.
Almost 60 years on, Kenneth Nash still misses his uncle Allen.
Sergeant Allen William Nash, aged 40, was killed in the line of duty by a gun-wielding offender at Primbee in 1956.
Sgt Nash was one of eight officers stationed in the Lake Illawarra local area command who were recognised with memorial plaques on a wall of honour outside Lake Illawarra police station on Monday, as part of Police Remembrance Day commemorations.
Dozens of current and retired officers, families, friends, politicians, councillors and members of the public gathered at Oak Flats for a ceremony to unveil the memorial wall, and honour past and present officers.
Since 1862, more than 250 NSW Police officers have died in the line of duty.
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
Funeral location: Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Delhi & Plassey Rd, Macquarie Park, NSW
Buried at: RC Lawn, Block 12 / 0445
GPS: Lat: -33.790614478 Long: 151.142994
Grave Location:
John Henry WALTON National Touch Plate, Canberra
JOHNIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
About 2.45am on 23 June, 1978 Sergeant Walton was a passenger in a police vehicle travelling along Carlingford Road, Carlingford. A vehicle approaching in the opposite direction drove onto the incorrect side of the roadway, forcing the police vehicle off the road where it collided with a parked horse float which was parked, without lights, on the southern side of Carlingford Rd at the intersection of Glenview Parade. Detective Sergeant Walton was killed instantly. Extensive inquiries made to locate the driver of the unknown vehicle responsible for this accident have to date proved unsuccessful.
The sergeant was born in 1941 and joined the New South Wales Police Force, as a Cadet, on 7 July 1958. At the time of his death he was attached to the Armed Hold-up Squad.
Prior to joining the NSWPF, John was a Junior Clerk for 10 months then joined the NSWPF Cadet system from the 7 July 1958 and finished on the 17 August 1958 for reasons unknown to me.
He then appears to have been a General Hand for 4 months and then a Clerk for 18 months before coming back to the NSWPF – Attesting as a Probationary Constable on the 15 August 1960. His re-join date is also unknown to me.
He was 5′ 11″ tall, 12 stone 12 lb in weight with Hazel eyes, brown hair and of a medium build. He was born in Young, NSW and was single at the time of joining but married on 23 November 1963. He obtained his School Intermediate Certificate.
He obtained an 82.5% at completion of Training Class 84A and he had a 23 w.p.m. rate of typing – on the 4 April 1961
He also completed a three day course in Civil Defence in 1961.
He passed his Constable 1st Class exams on the 22 September 1964.
He failed his first attempt at the Sgt 3/c exams on 18 May 1973 but passed on the 16 May 1974.
He passed the Detective qualification course on 25 October 1967 and was designated a Detective on the 22 March 1968.
On the 14 November 1977 he was ” Commended for the good policemanship, excellent teamwork and devotion to duty he displayed as one of the Police responsible for the prompt arrest of Phillip WESTERN, Michael STOGIO, Lawrence JOHNSON and Robert PATTEN for the armed hold-up of the Randwick Branch of the Bank of New South Wales on 29 December 1975.
During committal proceeding at the Central Court of Petty Sessions on 28 April 1976 the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. Farquhar, complimented him, along with all Police connected with the case while His Honour, Judge Muir, in passing sentence on the offenders made favourable comment regarding the briefs prepared by Police for the trial.
Mervyn T Wood – Commissioner”
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Saturday 24 June 1978, page 3
IN BRIEF
Fatal crash
SYDNEY: Detective Sergeant John Henry Walton, 37, was killed and Detective Senior Constable John O’Hagan, 33, was seriously injured when a police car driven by Detective O’Hagan ran into a horse-float in Epping early yesterday.
Grave location: Anglican Monumental. Sect Aj – 0126
Memorial located at:
1/ Sgt. Howe’s name is mounted on the Memorial Wall at the NSW Police Memorial situated in the Tranquil Gardens, Woronora Memorial Park Cemetery, 121 Linden St, Sutherland.
It is important to know that in mid September each year, since 2015, 11 other NSW Police Officers killed on duty in the Sutherland / St. George PAC and 13 Police Officers killed in other PAC’s (Sgt 3/c Howe – Oaklands) and laid to rest within the WMP Cemetery are remembered.
Ron Alexander – Chairman NSW Police Memorial Service Committee – WMP.
2/ Memorial located at Oaklands Police Station, NSW – Dedicated on 19 December 2014
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
Paul, one of Cyrils’ sons, is buried alongside of his father. Cyrils’ wife, June, having died in September 2020, is buried with Cyril. ” Together forever “
CYRIL IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Funeral location: TBA
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On the evening of 19 December, 1963 Constable Howe detained an offender named Little near Oaklands and spoke to him regarding a stolen cheque book. He then directed the offender to drive his vehicle to the local police station while he followed in the police vehicle.
En route the offender sped away, and was pursued by Constable Howe for several kilometres. When the offender eventually stopped, the constable approached his vehicle. The offender, who had taken cover behind his vehicle door (the doors opened backwards from hinged centre pillars), then produced a shotgun and shot Constable Howe.
The constable crawled back to the police vehicle where he took cover, and although seriously wounded, returned fire until his automatic pistol jammed. He then sought further cover by crawling underneath the police vehicle, where he cleared his pistol and fired another shot before it again jammed. The offender then fired at the police vehicle, shooting out the headlights, steering, and the police sign from the top, before escaping.
Constable Howe then wrote “LITTLE SHOT ME” in the back of his police notebook ( in ink, and not blood, as sometimes stated ) before dragging himself into the police vehicle.
Constable Howe then wrote the offender’s name several times in his police notebook before dragging himself into the police vehicle.
He was only able to drive it a few metres before it ran into a roadside ditch.
After being found, the constable was able to detail the events leading to the shooting.
He was taken to the Wagga Base Hospital, however despite a five-hour operation he died at 10.45pm on 20 December, 1963.
Constable 1st Class Howe was posthumouslypromoted to Sergeant 3rd Class and awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry ( QPM ), and the Peter Mitchell Award.
The offender later committed suicide.
The circumstances surrounding Sergeant Howe’s death ( pistol repeatedly jamming ) led to the introduction of Smith & Wesson .38 calibre 6 shot revolvers as general service issue to New South Wales Police. These, in turn were replaced by Glock semi-automatic pistols in the late 1990s.
The sergeant was born in 1932 in Arncliffe, NSW, and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 April, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Oaklands.
Today (Wednesday 20 December 2023) marks the 60th anniversary of the tragic loss of Constable 1st Class Cyril Howe of Oaklands Police Station – now part of the Murray River Police District – in the state’s south.
On Thursday 19 December 1963, Constable Howe was assisting neighbouring police in relation to the theft of a cheque book by a 47-year-old man.
Constable Howe located the man travelling along a local road – in what was later established to be a stolen car with five young children.
After a pursuit of the vehicle, the man shot and seriously injured Constable Howe whilst using the children as a human shield which prevented the officer from effectively returning fire.
Despite being critically wounded Constable Howe wrote the assailants name in his notebook.
Constable Howe died the following day at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
An inquest into the incident commended Constable Howe’s actions where the coroner noted, “Howe displayed tremendous strength, courage and presence of mind. Considering the shocking wounds he received, and the terrible agony he was in, his actions after being shot leave no doubt in my mind that he was one of the bravest Policemen ever to wear the Queen’s uniform.”
Constable Howe was posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class and awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry.
To commemorate this event, a service was held at the Albury Police Station Conference Room.
The Commander of Murray River Police District, Superintendent Paul Smith APM, said that despite the passage of time, the events of that day serve as a reminder to a current generation of officers as to the dangers police face.
“Sergeant 3rd Class Cyril Howe displayed extraordinary bravery and fortitude when confronted with an armed and dangerous offender,” said Superintendent Smith APM.
“He refused to shoot at the offender for fear of striking one of the children, and then wrote the offenders name in his notebook.”
“Along with being an exceptional police officer he was also a father to three young children. It’s terribly sad what happened.”
Police and the community will come together on December 19 to mark the 50th anniversary of the murder of Oaklands police officer Sgt Cyril Howe.
Sgt Howe was stationed at Oaklands when he was gunned down in December, 1963.
His murder resulted in one of the biggest man hunts in the local area with many people from Yarrawonga and Mulwala involved in the search for his killer.
Since plans began for a commemorative march to honour the 50 year anniversary of Sgt Howe’s untimely death, local police have collected a variety of newspaper articles, telling the story of that fateful day in 1963.
On December 20, 1963 Sgt Howe was patrolling in Oaklands when he stopped a car driven by William Little who was a suspect for a stealing matter.
Sgt Howe requested Little to drive back to the Oaklands Police Station where he intended to question him further.
Little drove his car towards the police station with Sgt Howe following.
Upon getting close to the police station Little attempted to drive away and was pursued by Sgt Howe.
Little crashed his car into a ditch while attempting to escape.
Sgt Howe got out of his police car and approached Little’s car.
At this time Little produced a shotgun shooting Sgt Howe at close range in the stomach.
Sgt Howe returned to his car and fired a number of shots from his pistol.
Sgt Howe whilst dying on the side of the road was able to write Little’s name in his notebook indicating Little was responsible for the shooting.
Sgt Howe later died at Wagga Hospital from his wounds.
Little then went to a nearby property where he shot and killed Reginald Hunter a 57 year old bridge builder. Little then stole Hunter’s car.
The next six days saw a massive man hunt for Little with many local people assisting in the search along with offering accommodation for police who had been brought into the area to look for Little.
Article Name:Honouring Sgt Cyril Howe
Publication:The Free Press (Corowa)
Start Page:12
End Page:12
Ron Bloxham 20 December 2015 re the death of Sergeant Cyril Edgar HOWE. This was a matter I was involved in then when I was stationed at Finley.The offender Little’s car was located at Finley. On the 19th December 2013 I attended the Ceremony and the dedication of the impressive plaque that is now located in the front area of the Oaklands Police Station. I played golf with Cyril a few times and his wife was a brilliant golfer if I remember right she was the only female golfer then playing off scratch. She now lives at Kooralbyn near Beaudesert Qld. Here are a couple of photos from that day. Great effort by the troops after so long a time R.I.P. Cyril.
NSW Police Force 9 April 2015 NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has officially dedicated a new memorial honouring fallen officers in the St George and Sutherland Shire. The Commissioner was joined by local police, families, friends, and colleagues, for the dedication of the NSW Police Memorial, led by Police Chaplain, Reverend David Warner, at Woronora Cemetery today (Thursday 9 April 2015). The memorial honours 24 NSW Police officers who have died on duty while serving in the St George, Sutherland and Miranda Local Area Commands or who were cremated or laid to rest at Woronora Cemetery. Commissioner Scipione said the plaques and memorial wall is a perfect way to honour local officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. “The NSW Police Memorial at Woronora Cemetery is our first collective police tribute in a private cemetery,” Commissioner Scipione said. “As we unveil the plaques today, we reflect on the lives and achievements of the officers who died while serving this community. “One of the toughest challenges for police is starting work each day not knowing what will happen yet understanding they may have to risk their own life to save another. “It is with great pride I dedicate this memorial and honour the officers, whose names are inscribed, remembering their selfless sacrifice and courage. They will not be forgotten,” Commissioner Scipione said. The names of the 24 local fallen officers, who died on duty since 1862, are inscribed on the wall of the memorial. An additional two colonial police killed in 1845, prior to the inception of the NSW Police Force, will also be remembered in the form of separate plaques. The NSW Police Memorial is a joint project of Woronora General Cemetery and Crematorium, Southern Metropolitan Associates Branch of the Police Association of NSW and the NSW Police Force. Officers honoured on NSW Police Memorial at Woronora Cemetery: Sergeant 1st Class William Smith, killed on duty at Port Kembla on 1 September 1951, age 53 Constable Garnet Mortley, killed on duty at Waterfall 1 June 1953, age 25 Constable Edward Dilks, killed on duty at Corowa on 21 October 1954, age 28 Sergeant 2nd Class Cecil Ellis, killed on duty at Sydney on 29 April 1956, age 58 Constable William Lord, killed on duty at Randwick on 23 December 1958, age 24 Constable Colin Robb, killed on duty at Auburn on 7 September 1963, age 28 Constable 1st Class Cyril Howe, killed on duty at Oaklands on 20 December 1963, age 31 Constable Allan Shaw, killed on duty at Belmore on 11 May 1964, age 24 Constable Colin Roy, killed on duty at Kirrawee on 12 May 1967, age 28 Sergeant 2nd Class Adam Schell, killed on duty at Bobbin Head on 8 October 1968, age 52 Probationary Constable Warren Burns, killed on duty at Sutherland on 30 October 1968, age 25 Detective Senior Constable Denis Ware, killed on duty at Sutherland on 2 October 1970, age 32 Constable Joseph Gibb, killed on duty at Miranda on 23 January 1972, age 28 Senior Constable Neville Parker, killed on duty at Sans Souci on12 November 1972, age 34 Sergeant 2nd Class John Gill, killed on duty at Hurstville on 12 May 1973, age 47 Sergeant 1st Class John Colbert, killed on duty at Kingsgrove on 11 March 1979, age 58 Detective Sergeant Jillian Hawkes, killed on duty at Milsons Point on 22 April 1986, age 46 Probationary Constable Dana Heffernan, killed on duty at Randwick on 17 April 1987, age 20 Constable 1st Class Mark Burns, killed on duty at Tamworth on 17 March 1988, age 25 Constable John Burgess, killed on duty at Annandale on 27 April 1989, age 29 Constable Kenneth Short, killed on duty at Yarrawarra on 11 July 1990, age 27 Sergeant John Proops, killed on duty at Enfield on 22 May 1993, age 42 Senior Sergeant Raymond Smith, killed on duty at Calga on 13 July 1998, age 47 Senior Constable James (Jim) Affleck, killed on duty at Glen Alpine on 14 January 2001, age 43 Colonial police honoured: Corporal Stephen Kirk, killed on duty at Heathcote on 12 November 1845, age 32 Trooper Luke Dunn, killed on duty at Heathcote on 21 November 1845, age 3.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Friday 5 June 1964, page 6
Above: Mrs. Howe and her children. Mark, 4, Paul, 2, and Kim, 5, proudly examine the medal after the presentation.
SYDNEY, Thursday. – A police sergeant, shot dead by a crazed gunman at Oaklands last year was today posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for gallantry.
The policeman, Cyril Edgar Howe, although extensively wounded and in great pain, wrote the name of his killer in his notebook.
When he was found by police, Sgt. Howe gave them full particulars of the incident before being taken to hospital, where he died following an emergency operation.
The State Governor, Sir Eric Woodward today presented the award to Sergeant Howe‘s widow, Mrs. June Howe at an impressive Government House ceremony.
Sir Eric said Sgt. Howe displayed devotion to duty, fortitude and courage of an extremely high order.
The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct was presented to Constable William Terence Johnston.
Constable Johnston risked his life in the sea at Bombo Beach, Kiama, to rescue a fisherman washed off the rocks.
WAGGA , Sunday. — More than £2,000 has been subscribed to appeals for the family of the late Cyril Howe, the Oaklands police officer shot by a killer on December 20 at Oaklands.
The Bushfire Brigade, of which Const. Howe was captain, has opened an appeal, to close on January 21. Tonight the secretary, Mr. D. J. Kerr, reported that a little more than £300 had been received to date, including a £200 gift from the Nowranie Pastoral Co.
This weekend Wagga radio station 2WG conducted an appeal which has raised £1,726.
People from all parts of the Riverina telephoned, promising money.
Gifts ranged from as high as £30 to 2/6 given from a child’s money box.
SYDNEY, Friday. -The Police Association of N.S.W. will press the Police Department to replace all Webley and Scott issue automatic pistols following the death last week of Constable Cyril Howe at Oaklands.
The secretary of the association, Mr. F. C. Laut, said today his organisation had been pressing for a replacement of this type of pistol “for many years”.
Two police officers had lost their lives in recent years when using these pistols, he said.
Both had fired their pistols twice and the mechanisms had jammed at the third shot. They were Constable Howe and Sergeant Nash, who lost his life several years ago at Wollongong.
Mr. Laut emphasised that the failure of the pistols could not necessarily be claimed to have been the cause of the officer’s deaths.
The department, however, apparently admitted a flaw in the issue type of pistol when it permitted officers to arrange for “personal replacements” of weapons.
Mr. Laut said the association had “pinned its hopes” on an Italian made .38 calibre automatic pistol.
Officers had to carry pistols when on duty and could be called to use them at any time.
WAGGA, Thursday. – A week-long hunt for a man and a girl ended tragically today in a fowlhouse at Oaklands, a small village near Wagga.
As five police approached him, the man, William Stanley Little, shot 14-year-oldSusan Lyons and then killed himself.
The fowlhouse in which the double shooting took place was only 50 yards from the house in which Little had been living with Susan Lyon‘s mother for several weeks.
The hunt for Little began last Thursday night when the bodies of Constable Cyril Howe, 31, and a bridge worker, Reginald Hunter, 57, were found within a few miles of Oaklands.
This morning Little made a surprise return to the hut where he had been living.
Police, under Det. Const. W. Sheather, made a routine check of the house today and noticed that a pound of butter had been moved since they checked last night.
Det. Sheather ordered an inspection of all huts and sheds around the house.
As the five policemen began searching a shotgun blast rang out from the fowlhouse.
Police took cover behind a car and then fired three shots over the top of the fowlhouse.
Another single shotgun blast followed.
The police closed in on the shed and Det. Sheather opened the door.
He found the girl dead and Little critically wounded.
Little died before any medical help could be given.
The chief of the C.I.B., Supt. R. Walden, said later the man had shot Susan Lyons and then committed suicide.
“Neither the girl’s death nor the man’s injury was caused by our men,” he said.
Post-mortem
A post-mortem examination was today made in Urana of the bodies of Little and the girl.
A coroner’s inquest will be held, but no date has yet been fixed.
Police believe she had been held captive by Little since last Thursday night.
Police several times had expressed fear that the girl would be held hostage by the man.
“The whole Riverina is seething,” Supt, Kempton, in charge of Wagga district, said tonight.
“Everyone is appalled by the girl’s death.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Allan, tonight expressed his sincere appreciation of police efforts in the hunt.
“All police showed a keenness to see this matter through, which did them great credit,” he said.
“They worked hours and in conditions above and beyond those of the normal requirements of their duty.”
“Maximum temperature for the search area has not fallen below 100 degrees for the past seven days.”
Mr. Allan also thanked private citizens for their part in the search.
Co-operation
Four planes were donated by district graziers to help the search.
Local polo players risked prize ponies to search through dangerous country for the killer.
“This shall be remembered as a typical example of public co-operation with the Police Department in the interests of law enforcement,” Mr. Allan said.
The hunt for Little began when the body of Const. Cyril Howe was found in his police car just off the Oaklands – Jerilderie road.
Before he collapsed, Const. Howe scribbled the name of his assailant in his notebook.
Several hours later, police found Reginald Victor Hunter‘s body in his caravan, 12 miles away.
Like Const. Howe, Hunter has been killed by a shotgun blast.
This picture was taken yesterday only seconds before police fired warning shots over a fowlhouse near Oaklands after they heard the first of two shot gun blasts. They later found William Stanley Little inside, mortally wounded, and 14-year-old Susan Lyons dead.
WAGGA, Sunday. – Police searching for the shotgun killer of a policeman and a contractor in the southern Riverina believe they will track him down
some time tomorrow.
The search will go on through the night.
“I think we’ll have good news for you by tomorrow night,” Supt. J. C. Kempton said tonight.
Supt. Kempton, in charge of the Wagga Police District, is leading the search for the murderer.
Four hundred men-on foot, on horseback, in cars, trucks and four planes today concentrated the search on the sprawling 15,000-acre Werai Forest, near Deniliquin.
They had to fight their way through thick scrub in temperatures between 106 and 110 degrees.
“The men are weary, but confident they are getting close,” another senior police officer said tonight.
Trapped
All available police have been sent to the forest following a report that a car, believed to be driven by the killer, was seen parked in bushes in the forest yesterday.
Mr. J. Haydon, a station hand from Moulamein, told police he saw the car. Its description answered that of the Valiant in which the killer and a 14-year-old girl escaped.
Searchers late yesterday began a methodical check of the entire forest.
“We started on the outside working in; we believe he is trapped in there,” Supt. Kempton said.
Planes
In another new development today, police discovered that the murderer stole a large quantity of food from one of his victims, bridge contractor Mr. Reginald
Hunter, 57, after he had shot him on Thursday.
The other victim was 30 year-old Oaklands policeman Cyril Howe, who died in Wagga Base Hospital yesterday.
“Hunter’s family checked his caravan today and found that a lot of food and some petrol were missing,” Supt. Kempton said.
The car the wanted man is driving also was stolen from Hunter.
All four planes in the search have been volunteered by district graziers. They are using the main street of the small town of Booroorban, about 200 miles west of Wagga, as a runway.
Disguised
The girl travelling with the killer is believed to be pregnant.
Police fear for her life. They believe she may have been forced to cut her hair and dress as a boy.
The girl is of medium build, five feet tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has a boil on the right side of her face.
She was dressed as a boy in a brown shirt, black jumper and khaki trousers.
Before he collapsed Const. Howe was able to scrawl the name of his attacker in his notebook.
In the massive search that followed, police found the body of Hunter in a caravan about half a mile from the spot where Howe was fatally wounded.
He had shotgun wounds in the chest and police believe he died instantly. A doctor said he had been dead for about 12 hours.
The fugitive is believed to be armed with a .22 rifle as well as the shotgun.
I have some information prior to Cyril joining the police force.
Cyril was engaged to my mother. It would have been late 1950’s I guess.
Cyril worked as a volunteer ambulance officer around the Rockdale area I believe.
The engagement was broken off because my grandfather had spent 12 months in Glen Innes prison for stealing some years earlier and that would have impacted Cyrils’ chances of getting into the force.
I do have another photo somewhere, would need to hunt it down.
Constable Cyril Howe was stationed at Oakland’s at the time of his passing.
I believe it was 19 December 2013, when I was LAC of Albury we held a 50 year memorial service at Oakland Police Station for Cst Howe which his wife and daughter attended. They unveiled a memorial plaque and I presented them with framed memorial photos.
It was the first time his wife had returned to Oakland’s since the day he died.
The community And former officers attached to the Murray River area came out to remember him in huge numbers. Many were present in the town on that day or on duty in other nearby locations and reflected on what happened. It is such a shame that it takes the death of one of our fine officers for the government and organisation to act and move onto a different weapon. Again a shame that it was one not designed for the first responders, and again not appropriate in the circumstances until we finally were issued with the glocks.
I was very proud to stand with his wife and daughter and have Constable Howe recognized in this way.
I recently noticed that the picture of that day and the presentation is currently on the NSW Police Legacy home page.
Constable Harman sustained fatal injuries when the Police Special Traffic Patrol Cycle he was riding was involved in a collision with a motor car. At the time the constable was riding the motorcycle from home to work at the Parramatta Police Station.
The constable was born in 1931 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 April, 1953. At the time of his death he was stationed at Parramatta.
Cecil Edwin SEWELL
| 27/10/2012
Cecil Edwin SEWELL
Late of Wycombe Rd, Yagoona
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Parramatta – Public Safety Bureau – Death
Service: From 3 August 1948 to 2 June 1954 = 5+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1927 at Werris Creek, NSW
Died on: Wednesday 2 June 1954
Death location: Parramatta District Hospital
Age: 27
Cause: Motor Vehicle Collision – Rider – Pursuit
Event location: Woodville Rd, near Farnell St, Merrylands
Area: Zone F, Sect: Independent General K, Grave 2643
Memorial located at: ?
at the base of Cecils grave
Here are some amazing photos for you,
I have attached some photos of dad in uniform also a few of funeral procession that I found. Dad was also one of the officers who escorted the Queen on her Coronation Tour in Sydney May 1954. I think that might be the photo of him on his bike. After Sydney tour he was to escort the Queen & Duke to Canberra but his bike broke down at Liverpool. A couple of weeks later he lost his life.
Thanks again.
Ron
Cecil SEWELL
Cecil SEWELL funeral
Cecil SEWELL funeral
Cecil SEWELL funeral
Cecil SEWELL funeral
CECIL is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
( NEED TO OBTAIN PHOTO OF TOUCH PLATE IN CANBERRA )
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On 1 June, 1954 Constable Sewell was riding a police solo motor cycle in Woodville Road, Merrylands.
About 4.45pm the constable became involved in the pursuit of a motor vehicle. As the pursuit neared the intersection of Farnell Street, an elderly man alighted from a bus, ran out onto the roadway and was struck by Constable Sewell’s motor cycle.
Both men sustained severe injuries and were conveyed to the Parramatta District Hospital.
The pedestrian was found to be dead on arrival and Constable Sewell died the following morning.
The constable was born in 1927 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 August, 1948.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Parramatta.
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
More than 200 plain-clothes and uniformed police attended the funeral yesterday of Constable Cecil Sewell, 27, of the Public Safety Bureau.
Constable Sewell was fatally injured on Tuesday when his police motor cycle crashed after hitting and killing a pedestrian in Woodville Road, Merrylands.
Constable Sewell was chasing a speeding motor cyclist when he hit the pedestrian – John Thomas Nivens, 60, of Paton Street, Merrylands.
The Police Pipe Band led the funeral procession to Rookwood Cemetery after a service at the Baptist Church, Harrow Road, Auburn.
Constable Cecil Edwin SEWELL
Parramatta Police
Motor Vehicle Pursuit
2 June, 1954
Resting Place – Rookwood Cemetery, Rookwood
On 1 June, 1954 Constable Sewell was riding a police solo motor cycle in Woodville Road, Merrylands. About 4.45pm the constable became involved in the pursuit of a motor vehicle. As the pursuit neared the intersection of Farnell Street, an elderly man alighted from a bus, ran out onto the roadway and was struck by Constable Sewell’s motor cycle. Both men sustained severe injuries and were conveyed to the Parramatta District Hospital. The pedestrian was found to be dead on arrival and Constable Sewell died the following morning. The Sydney Morning Herald of 3 June, 1954 printed the following article, and funeral notices.
CONSTABLE’S DEATH FROM INJURIES IN CYCLE CHASE CRASH
Constable Cecil Sewell, 27, of the Public Safety Bureau, who knocked down and fatally injured a civilian while chasing a speeding motor cyclist on Tuesday, died yesterday from injuries he received in the accident. He will be buried at Rookwood Cemetery today with full police honours. Constable Sewell was chasing the motor cyclist along Woodville Road, Merrylands, at 70 m.p.h. about 4.45 p.m. when he struck John Thomas Nivens, 60, who had stepped from a bus. Nivens, of Patons Street, Merrylands, died later from his injuries. Constable Sewell, who was thrown from the cycle after it had skidded along the road for 60 yards, died in Parramatta Hospital at 6.30 a.m. yesterday without regaining consciousness. He suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries. Doctors said his condition was too serious to operate. He was married with two children.
FUNERAL TO-DAY
Constable Sewell’s funeral will leave for Rookwood after, a service at the Baptist Church, Harrow Road, Auburn, at 1.30 p.m. The Police Pipe Band will lead the cortege, and Public Safety Bureau motor cyclists will escort the funeral. The Superintendent of Traffic, Mr. H. E. Snowden, will represent the Commissioner of Police, Mr. C. J. Delaney. Among other police officers present will be the officer in charge of the Public Safety Bureau, Inspector J. J. Agnew, and the officer in charge of Parramatta Division, Inspector C. S. Jardine. Police are making a wide search for the speeding motor cyclist, whom they blame for the deaths of Nivens and Constable Sewell. A senior police officer said yesterday that the cyclist, if arrested, faced charges of manslaughter.
“FINE OFFICER”.
Mr. Snowden said last night: “Constable Sewell was an outstanding young policeman with a particularly fine character. He was a policeman the public and the Police Force could ill afford to lose. His workmates in the Public Safety Bureau are stunned by his death.” Mr. Snowden said that police would not treat reckless and thoughtless motorists and drunken drivers and speedsters with “kid glove methods”. “We are determined to exert every means at our disposal to make the roads safe for everybody,” he said.
SEWELL – Masonic Lodge Auburn No 404 U G L of N S W, The Officers and Members of the above Lodge are fraternally Invited to attend the Funeral of their late esteemed Brother C E SEWELL. For particulars see family notice. Regalia.”
The constable was born in 1927 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 August, 1948. At the time of his death he was stationed at Parramatta. He is listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
A police constable who killed a man when chasing a speeding motor cyclist last night, died at 6.30 am today. Police are now making an intensive search for the speedster who caused two deaths.
Dead as a result of the chase are Constable Cecil Sewell, 27, married with two children and John Thomas Nivens, 60, of Paton St., Merrylands.
At 4.45 pm yesterday Constable Sewell was chasing a motor cyclist along Woodville Rd., Merrylands, at about 70 mph ( 180kph ).
Siren’s scream
His cycle siren was screaming but Nivens stepped out on to the road from behind a bus. The police bike crashed into Nivens, who was killed instantly.
With Nivens draped across the handlebars, the motor cycle skidded for 60 yards before Nivens and Constable Sewell were catapulted from it.
Sewell, of Wycombe Rd., Yagoona, and attached to Parramatta traffic squad, was rushed to hospital. He was admitted with a fractured skull and facial injuries. Sewell was too badly hurt for doctors to operate on him and he died without regaining consciousness.
At present there is no clue as to the identity of the cyclist responsible for the crash.
Constable Sewell was a member of Yagoona Baptist Church. His two children are ; boys — Ron, 5, and Noel, 2.
Mrs. Sewell. 25, was with her parents in Lidcombe during the night.
Constable Sewell’s father, Mr. J. Sewell, of Alice St., Auburn, said today his son had been in the police force for six years.
“No gloves”
Traffic Supt. H. Snowden said, “Our drive throughout the State for road safety is going to be enforced with the gloves off. “Reckless motorists and road users who have no regard for the rights of other road users can expect no mercy. “Since police squads have been operating in plain-clothes and ordinary cars, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of traffic breaches.”
