Bryson Charles ANDERSON

AKA Bryce ANDERSON, Bryson ANDERSON

Son of Rex ANDERSON, NSWPF # 8681

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  23020

Academy Class:  222

Rank: Police Trainee – commenced 18 August 1986,

Probationary Constable – appointed 7 November 1986,

Constable 1st Class – appointed 1991,

Detective Constable 1st Class – appointed November 1993,

Sergeant – appointed 2004,

Detective Inspector – appointed 2009,

Duty Officer – from 19 December 2010

Detective Inspector

Stations:  Goulburn Academy, Parramatta G.D’s, Granville, Ermington, C.I. Duties – Granville, Castle Hill, Task Force Boyne, Ermington, Rosehill, Special Crime, Internal Affairs, Hawkesbury L.A.C.

Service:   From  18 August 1986   to  6 December 2012 = 26 years, 3 months, 18 days Service

Age at Leaving: 45 years, 10 months, 20 days

Time in Retirement:  0

Awards:  National Medal – granted 22 July 1993 ( SenCon )

NSW Police Medal together with 1st & 2nd Clasps

Commissioner’s Unit Citation – 2003 for Highly professional investigations

1st Clasp to the National Medal – posthumously

3rd Clasp to the NSW Police Medal – posthumously

Valour Award – posthumously

Born:  Monday 16 January 1967

Died on:  Thursday 6 December 2012

Cause:  Murdered – Oakville, NSW

Age:  45 years, 10 months, 20 days

 Funeral date:  Wednesday  12 December 2012

Funeral location:  St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, NSW

Buried at:   Cremated

Memorial location:  Outside of Windsor Police Stn, NSW

Memorial dedication performed on Tuesday 6 December 2022 upon the 10 Anniversary of his Murder.

BRYSON IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

The Commissioners Press conference.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/p … ck/4413626

Two people have been arrested after a senior police officer died after sustaining critical injuries in an axe attack in Sydney’s north-west.

Police say Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson was among a number of officers called to a dispute between neighbours at Scheyville Road in Oakville about 2pm (AEDT).

About two hours later, Detective Inspector Anderson was seriously injured in what is understood to have been an axe attack.

	Det Insp Bryson Anderson killed with an axe on Thu 061212

After treatment by paramedics he was rushed to Windsor Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said a 19-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman had been arrested at the scene and taken to Windsor Police Station where they were assisting investigators with their inquiries.

Mr Scipione said Detective Inspector Anderson was from a police family and had left a wife and three children.

“They are, as you imagine, distraught, but taking strong support from not only their immediate family, but the police family.

“We will console officers that were part of this particular operation.

“They, as you would also imagine, are traumatised and all support services have been put around them.

“I’ve got to say the strength and courage that is being shown inside (the hospital), not only by the police that are there, but also by the family, is incredible.”

Photo: Police say the officer was called to a dispute between neighbours in Oakville.

Det Insp Bryson Anderson killed with an axe on Thu 061212

Mr Scipione said he could not provide too many details of the events leading up to the attack given the investigation was in its early stages.

“I understand the (neighbourhood) dispute did involve the use of some weapons, but again having said that, we want to get to the bottom of this investigation before we start making too many statements,” he said.

“Suffice to say it was a violent neighbourhood incident that caused the police to attend and there were many police there.

“Some time after they first attended, there was an interaction which led to the death of Inspector Anderson.

“I understand they were trying to communicate with affected parties and were looking to resolve this peacefully.”

Mr Scipione said Detective Inspector Anderson had worked for him more than 10 years ago and paid tribute to his skills as an investigator.

“He was nothing short of a role model to those officers that come after him,” he said.

“Today is a stark reminder how dangerous this job is. These people do this in such a way they put their lives before the lives of others.

“You have an idea what the price is today.”

Anyone with information about the incident are being asked to call Crime Stoppers on  1800 333 000  or use the Crime Stoppers website.

RIP  Bryson

A tribute from our Commissioner

Today ( Wednesday 12 December 2012) we honour a brave man. Bryson Anderson. A police officer, and so much more.

A man who was so deeply respected by the community in which he lived, worked and devoted much of his spare time.

Valedictory for Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson

Homily for the Funeral Mass for Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson, St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Parramatta
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 02:57:38 PM

Any death is a loss. The death of a loved one before time is worse. A senseless, violent, innocent death is even more appalling. But a death in the line of duty hits us especially hard. Why is that?

Our word police comes from the Greek word polis, meaning the city-state, its citizens and civilisation. Police are appointed to keep order in the polis and protect persons and property. The word politician comes from the same root, for they too work for the people, with our bureaucracies and courts. Yet none of these is in the front-line the way police are.

We all shelter behind our police officers’ sense of law and order, their character and courage, their instincts, reactions, negotiating and other skills. Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson devoted his life to providing such shelter for his family, friends and community. He lived for this and this was a gift to us all; he died for this and this affronts us all.

His fellow officers also mourn his passing, as Commissioner Scipione testified. I first got to know the Commissioner and his people in the lead-up to World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. It was a time when hundreds of thousands of youth threw them kisses and told them God loved them and they loved them. If only it was always so! One such beloved of God and people was described in our first Scripture reading today (Wisdom 4:7-15). Being virtuous, untarnished and God-pleasing, the man in that passage was ready for God sooner than most.

Bryson’s fellow officers tell me he was such a man, and that his integrity inspired them. That his death has left them in shock is a sign of that bond within the police family said to be as thick as blood.

Of course, policing was literally in Bryson’s blood, as his father and brother both served in the force, Rex for many years here in Parramatta. When I saw Donna and the family after the terrible news, there were policemen present as if they were his own brothers. Such a death must make all officers aware of their own mortality, must bring to the surface daily anxiety for the safety of the public, their comrades and themselves, and so too for beloved spouses who might be widowed or children orphaned. But it also brings out into the open their fraternity and courage.

Thousands are here today to pray for Bryson and the Anderson family, to share in their natural sorrow and supernatural hope. But proud as they must be and however comforted by our presence, they still have the very personal grief of ones who’ve lost husband, father, son and brother.

Perhaps they are asking themselves: How could an argument over a bird cage end so horribly? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God permit such things? Well, God could have made us robots, obedient to His every command. Instead He took the great ‘gamble’ of making us free, able to choose good or evil. He does everything to persuade, encourage, inspire us to live lives of service and self-sacrifice.

Some of us do. Most of us try. Some don’t. When bushfires, floods or other natural evils hurt innocent people, we know that these are part and parcel of a world that is beautiful and bountiful but has its own law and order.

The real mystery for us is man-made evil: why human beings do terrible things to each other, why they misuse the godlike gifts of freedom and intelligence. Like those in our first reading, we “look on uncomprehending”. Few of us will face death by an assailant’s knife or have that happen in our family. But when our own crosses come, we too must try to make some sense of it. In Jesus Christ, we believe, God fully embraced our human condition, including His own violent death as an innocent man before his time.

Why was it necessary for Christ to suffer? Because that was where humanity was. To redeem us, He had to go where we are. So God became a real human being, with friends and enemies, hopes and fears, who wept for His dead friend Lazarus, and later cried out tired, frightened, abandoned.

God in Jesus Christ is the great realist: no evasion, no false front, no easy escape; no pretending away the sin of the world or the suffering of ordinary lives. But He did what any man, any God-made-man, could do.

The problem of evil drives some to atheism, some to despair. But it draws some to the Crucified One, to unite their sufferings with His, as He united His whole being with them at Christmas and beyond.

This doesn’t ‘magic away’ all that is unpleasant; we may still ache that someone we love has been stolen from us. Our hearts may be troubled as Jesus’ was (John 12:27, 13:31). But in time faith can bring new perspective, the courage to face the human condition, the grace to grow through this stage of our life, and compassion for others who suffer also.

Any faith or philosophy worthy of us must face evil straight on. Every police officer knows this. Euphemisms and positive thinking will not do; neither will glorifying evil or emptying it of its mystery. From the side of the Crucified God flows the blood and water of human life and death. But from there, too, flows hope for every hurting heart, every fragile person, even for the dead.

2012 is the sesquicentenary of the New South Wales Police Force and was supposed to be a year of celebration for them. Yet it began with the killing of Senior Constable Dave Rixon and ends with the killing of Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson. He is the 14th to be killed on duty since 1980. Death is no respecter of office, rank or character. And so this week a family, a force, a whole state join Christ in His Passion. We are joined with Him in His mortal combat with evil: proposing the good and beautiful and true to all; preventing violence and injustice where we can; comforting the victims, those who suffer for justice’s sake and those who mourn them.

In our Gospel passage, Christ called Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life for every troubled heart (John 14:1-6). His life offers us the way, as it did to Bryson, the way of justice, mercy and peace. Christ’s death offers us the truth, as it did for Bryson, the truth about human fragility and promise, freedom and intelligence for good or evil. And His Resurrection offers us the life, as it does for Bryson, life eternal for every noble soul.

2012 should have been a year of celebration for police officers and still it should be: a celebration of what is most worthy in the force and in those who bring it credit. It should have been a time of pride and joy for the Anderson family: that will come later, as they treasure what Bryson gave to them and to us all.

But for now: “We seem to be giving Bryson back to you, O God, who gave him to us.
Yet, as you did not lose him in giving him to us, so we do not lose him by his return. For
you do not give as the world gives, O Lover of souls: what you give you never take
away … For life is eternal, and love immortal, and death is only an horizon, and the
horizon is no more than the limit of our sight.

“Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further. Cleanse our tearful eyes that
we may see more clearly. Draw us closer to yourself, that we may know ourselves to be
nearer to Bryson, now that he is with you. And while you prepare a place for us (John
14:1-6), prepare us also for that happy place, that where you and he are, we may be
also, for evermore.” (Prayer of Fr Bede Jarrett OP)

Detective Inspector Bryson Charles Anderson (1967-2012) – Find a Grave Memorial

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Bryson ANDERSON IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra

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Mitchell Barbieri and his mother Fiona plead guilty to their roles in killing of decorated officer Bryson Anderson

• Amy Dale
• The Daily Telegraph
• November 05, 201412:24PM

 

THE mother and son charged with killing decorated police officer Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson have pleaded guilty on the morning their trial was due to start.

Mitchell Barbieri pleaded guilty to murdering the 45 year old officer, while his mother, 47, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty of the officer’s manslaughter.

The pleas came as the jury were about to be empanelled and begin to hear the opening address.

Bryson Anderson was killed on December 6, 2012, after being called to the pair’s Oakville home, in Sydney’s north west.

Fiona Barbieri’s plea to manslaughter is being accepted on the grounds of “substantial impairment”, the court heard.

It is expected a sentencing hearing will take place next year.

Mitchell Barbieri, 21, is facing a mandatory life sentence without parole for murdering a police officer.

The Supreme Court was packed with family, colleagues and friends of Det Insp Anderson, some of whom shed tears as the guilty pleas were announced.

Flanked by police officers, Det Insp Anderson’s brother Warwick Anderson thanked the investigating officers for their “support and strength” and the hard work of the DPP.

He said the family was very mindful of the officers who were with his brother on the day he died and who continued to suffer physical and psychological injuries.

“The thoughts, care and prayers of our family go out to them,” he told reporters outside court.

There was still a significant way to go for his family to come to terms with the “senseless and tragic loss of Bryson”, he said

Justice Robert Hulme adjourned the case until next Wednesday, when the Crown will begin calling evidence on sentence.

Defence counsel will give their submissions to court on November 24.

Family and friends of murdered Detective inspector Bryson Anderson and police

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Shelley Leanne DAVIS

NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class ?

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  37034

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Goulburn

Service:   From  30 August 2002  to  19 June 2004 = 1+ years of Service

Awards:  Nil

Born: ? ? 1977

Died on:  Saturday  19 June 2004

Cause:  Motor Vehicle Accident – passenger in Police sedan. Vehicle -v- tree

Event location:  Sydney Rd, Goulburn East, approx. 300 mtrs prior to Hume Hwy entrance.

Age:  27

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.

Ashes collected by family.

Memorial at:  Small car park on north side of north bound lane upon Sydney Rd, Goulburn East a few hundred metres from the Hume Hwy.

Plaque on a bolder.

The ” original memorial ” was a large gum tree in between the north and south bound lanes – opposite the car park.

The tree was lopped to ground level about 2013.

Tree location:  Lat: -34.74257
Long: 149.76721

On the 19 June 2004 Constable Davis was the observer in a police vehicle when it was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Sydney Road, just north of Goulburn. As a result of the accident the constable sustained fatal injuries.

The constable was born in 1977 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 30 August 2002. At the time of her death she was stationed at Goulburn.

SHELLEY IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra

This Memorial stone is located in a small car park siding on Sydney Rd, Goulburn, northbound towards the Hume Freeway from the city.

Photos taken, by Cal, on 24 April 2018.  Note that the photo, of Shelley, had fallen from the plaque pre June 2017 and needs replacing.

GPS:  -34.74226  149.76644

Many thanks to Paul Pepe, Necro Imaging, 11 Bruce St, West Preston, Vic. ( necroimaging@hotmail.com ) for doing the new ceramic photo plate below.

Memorial before the replacement of the photo on Tuesday 18 September 2018.

Memorial after the replacement of the photo on Tuesday 18 September 2018.

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WEDNESDAY 27 JULY 2005.  MEMORIAL SITE AT THE TREE AGAINST WHICH CONSTABLE SHELLEY DAVIS, FROM GOULBURN POLICE STATION, LOST HER LIFE ONE NIGHT WHEN THE POLICE SEDAN SHE WAS A PASSENGER IN SLAMMED SIDEWAYS INTO THIS TREE – KILLING SHELLEY. THIS IS A HUGE TRIBUTE. I FOUND A 20 CENT PIECE ON THE GROUND AT THE BASE OF THE TREE. IT WAS COVERED IN BROWN (DRY BLOOD) AND WOULD HAVE OBVIOUSLY COME FROM THE CAR AND POSSIBLY BELONGED TO ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS. I KEPT THIS COIN. IT WAS RAINING ON THE NIGHT OF THIS ACCIDENT. SOMETIME IN 2010, THIS TREE AND THE GIFTS WERE TOTALLY REMOVED FROM THIS LOCATION. A ‘STONE’ MEMORIAL, WITH PLAQUE, WAS LATER LAID IN THE CAR PARK ADJACENT TO THIS TREE. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE PHOTOS, PRAYERS ETC BUT THE TREE HAS BEEN TOTALLY REMOVED FROM THE LOCATION ALSO.

The coronial inquest into the death of Constable Shelley Davis heard her partner, Senior-Constable Paul Sharman, was doing up to 110km/h in an 80km/h zone when he lost control of the vehicle on a road just outside Goulburn on June 19, 2004.

Criminal charges layed against him soon after the crash failed a year ago due to a technicality.

In releasing her findings in Glebe Coroners Court yesterday, Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch recommended the DPP investigate laying charges “against an individual”.

Davis’ mother, Diane, said she was “pleased” the matter had been referred to the DPP and praised the efforts of investigators.

During the hearing last month, Mrs Davis read out a submission where she accused Sen-Constable Sharman of being a “cowboy cop, reckless, irresponsible and dishonest”.

Mrs Davis said outside court yesterday her family had visited Sen-Constable Sharman twice since her daughter’s death to support him but had never received an apology.

“That’s the main thing we would have wanted from the beginning – the truth, with an apology, would have been good,” Mrs Davis said.

“Shelley was always so honest and yet we have got officers she worked with who didn’t hold those values.”

Ms Pinch was highly critical of a second officer – Constable Damien Ottley – who had been a witness to the crash but had initially lied to investigators.

The inquest heard that Const Davis and Sen-Constable Sharman were travelling in police sedan Goulburn 37 – under lights and sirens – when the crash occurred at 9am on June 19.

Ms Pinch found there was no reason for them to be speeding as they were not needed at the job they were heading to – nor was that job considered urgent in the first place.

Other evidence heard in the inquest revealed that one witness described Goulburn 37’s speed as so fast “they were flying”.

Sen-Constable Sharman did not give evidence to the inquest.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/police-crash-scandal/story-e6freuzi-1111113894466

Memorial dedicated to Constable Shelley Davis

A PERMANENT memorial has been dedicated to honour the “ray of sunshine”, Constable Shelley Davis, who died seven years ago last Sunday.

About 25 friends, former work colleagues and senior personnel from the Goulburn Local Area Command where Shelley worked attended the dedication ceremony last Sunday at the rest area opposite the site where she died in a patrol car accident on June 19, 2004.

Celebrant Trish Cunningham ( R.I.P. ) – whose husband Tony had helped with creating the memorial, fixing the plaque to the rock – conducted the brief ceremony. The rock for the memorial was transported from retired sergeant Rosie Jackson’s property by Primmer’s Towing while Rhod Stevens from the RTA assisted in the positioning of the site.

Local Area Commander, Superintendent Gary Worboys reminded everyone that police work is difficult and dangerous and the decisions that officers make can have lasting effects on other people. He said Shelley was, according to those who knew her, “like a ray of sunshine warming the hearts of those around her”.

“She was a dedicated officer and her loss was a tragedy,” Supt Worboys said.

“We can only hope that the lessons of that day will be learnt and that a similar tragedy will never happen again.”

Rosie Jackson said she would also like to thank Shane Biesterveld of Rudd Funerals for organising the plaque at short notice; Shepherds Hill Nursery who supplied some of the plants for the garden; Lena Cooper who helped with creating the garden, and everyone else who had a part in making the memorial possible.

Supt Worboys suggested the memorial would be a fitting place for a service during the annual Police Remembrance Day.

http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/971932/memorial-dedicated-to-constable-shelley-davis/

James AFFLECK – VA

aka  Jim,   Jamie to his family

New South Wales Police Force

Police Academy Class 160

ProCst Regd. #  92373

Regd. # 18315

Rank:  Commenced training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 3 July 1978 ( Aged 20 years, 11 months, 24 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed 18 September 1978 ( Aged 21 years, 2 months, 9 days )

Constable 1st Class – appointed 29 August 1984

Senior Constable – appointed 29 August 1988

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Service:  From 3 July 1978 to 14 January 2001 = 22 years, 6 months, 11 days Service

Stations:  ?, Hurstville HWP, Campbelltown HWP – Death

Awards:  National Medal – granted 2 February 1995

Born:  Tuesday  9 July 1957

Died:  Sunday  14 January 2001

Age:  43 yrs  6 mths  5 days

Cause:  Murdered – by Motor Vehicle whilst using Road Spikes to stop a stolen vehicle which drove straight at, and collided with, him.

Location:  Hume Hwy ( north bound ), Glen Alpine

Funeral date:   Thursday  18 January 2001

Funeral location:  Camden Civic Centre

Grave:  Cremated

Grave site:  Interred in Woronora Cemetery on 3 June 2003

General Plaque Lawn.  Lawn 4  Position 0796

Memorial 1/:  Jim Affleck Bridge, Hume Hwy, Glen Alpine, NSW

Memorial 2/:  HWP Vehicle ( 213 ) attached to Campbelltown – Registration JA-213  213 was the Call Sign of his HWP Vehicle.

About 8.40am on 14 January, 2001 police were attempting to stop a stolen vehicle during a high speed pursuit at Mittagong. Approval was given to place road spikes on the roadway and Senior Constable Affleck and other police did this near the Mark Evans Bridge, Glen Alpine. When the offending vehicle, travelling north, reached the spikes the driver intentionally swerved from one side of the north bound laned road to the other, hitting the senior constable, who was killed instantly. The driver was later arrested and charged with murder.

The senior constable was born in 1957 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 18 September, 1978. At the time of his death he was attached to the Campbelltown Highway Patrol.

Jim IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/competitions/campbelltown-mourns-13th-anniversary-of-police-officers-death/story-fngy6zd2-1226802284880

Campbelltown mourns 13th anniversary of police officer’s death

• Amanda Partridge
• Macarthur Chronicle Campbelltown
• January 15, 2014 12:02PM

Police officers pause to remember the late Jim Affleck, who was killed in the line of duty in 2001. Picture: ROBERT POZO Source: News Limited

 

IT’S been 13 years since highway patrol officer Jim Affleck was run down by a car on the Hume Highway.

But as nearly 100 people packed into the Campbelltown police station carpark yesterday to mark the anniversary of Sen Constable Affleck’s death, it was clear his legacy still burns strong.

Fellow officers, his widow Trish, and even a great nephew were among those to pay tribute to Sen Constable Affleck during a memorial yesterday.

The congregation gathered around the memorial garden dedicated to Sen Constable Affleck to lay wreaths and share kind words in honour of the police officer.

 

Jim Affleck’s widow Trish lays a wreath at the memorial garden, in honour of her late husband. Picture: ROBERT POZO. Source: News Limited

The Jim Affleck memorial garden bears freshly-laid flowers. Picture: ROBERT POZO Source: News Limited

Sen Constable Affleck’s car and police hat were present for the service.

The day marked 13 years since Sen Constable Affleck was run down by a car on the Hume Highway near Menangle on January 14, 2001, while laying road spikes to stop a stolen vehicle whose occupants were wanted for robberies.

Campbelltown police Insp Jason Inkster said the command believed it was important to honour Sen Constable Affleck’s sacrifice each year.

“It’s important because Jim was attached to the command at the time the incident occurred,” he said. “It’s important to remember our colleagues killed in the line of duty.

“I think it means a lot to his fellow officers and family, showing that we still remember the commitment and sacrifice made by Jim.”

Police and Jim Affleck’s family share hugs and fond memories of the late Jim Affleck. Picture: ROBERT POZO Source: News Limited

A photo of Jim Affleck sat atop his car at a memorial service yesterday. Picture: ROBERT POZO Source: News Limited

 

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/05/13/1021002431568.html

Driver who ran down officer ‘was re-enacting computer game’

By Ellen Connolly
May 14 2002

 

The scene of Senior Constable Affleck’s death. Photo: Nick Moir

The driver of a stolen car who killed a highway patrol officer during a police chase was re-enacting one of his PlayStation computer games, The Need for Speed – Hot Pursuit, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

Trevor Edward Holton, 26, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Senior Constable Jim Affleck, 43, near Campbelltown on January 14 last year.

In his opening address yesterday, the Crown prosecutor, Mark Tedeschi, QC, said that during the pursuit Holton was ”testing his car rallying skills” and was ”engaged in a real life re-enactment of the computer game”.

”To him the lives of other road users and the lives of police officers were just there as props to provide the thrill of the chase, and they were expendable in the pursuit of that thrill. Jim Affleck’s death was just part of this real-life game.”

The court was told the chase began about 8.30am after another man, who was a passenger in the four-wheel-drive, committed a bag snatch at Moss Vale. Also in the car was the man’s four-year-old stepdaughter.

For the next 40 minutes police chased the stolen vehicle as it drove on the wrong side of the road along the M5 freeway and the old Hume Highway, reaching speeds of up to 180kmh.

At one stage the passenger got out of the car and tried to take the girl with him but Holton sped off with her.

Senior Constable Affleck tried to stop the vehicle by throwing road spikes across the M5 but Holton swerved across two lanes to miss the spikes and hit the officer, Mr Tedeschi said. His body landed 80 metres away.

The stolen vehicle somersaulted and landed on its roof, with the girl, uninjured, still in the back. Holton fled but was arrested that night.

In a police interview Holton had said he ”was not prepared, at any stage, to get pulled over or stop”. He had seen Senior Constable Affleck running across the road in front of him trying to get the spikes under the vehicle.

”I couldn’t swerve; I couldn’t dodge him. I was going too fast. It’s like he [Affleck] didn’t care what happened.

”To me it was like it was suicide. He could see how fast I was going. He could see I could not stop.

”I have just been so angry … he could have avoided me so easy.”

He had said he knew about road spikes from playing the computer game, in which the main method of avoiding spikes is to veer off the road onto a median strip or the grass.

The trial continues.

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http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/23/1030052974371.html

Fury at killer’s ‘lenient’ jail term

By Ellen Connolly
August 24 2002

The state Opposition has called for compulsory life terms to be imposed on anyone who kills a police officer, after the “lenient” sentencing of a man who ran down a highway patrol officer.

Trevor Edward Holton, 27, was jailed yesterday for a minimum 12 years for the murder of Senior Constable Jim Affleck, killed while laying road spikes during a high-speed pursuit in western Sydney on January 14 last year.

In handing down sentence in the Supreme Court, Acting Justice Thomas Davidson said the jail term had to deter others and demonstrate that such acts against police in the execution of their duty would not be supported by the courts.

But the shadow attorney-general, Chris Hartcher, said this was not reflected in the sentence and called on the judicial system to stand behind police officers.

“Mr Holton should go to jail for the rest of his natural life. He certainly would if the coalition was in office,” Mr Hartcher said.

The Attorney-General, Bob Debus, said he had sought advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on prospects for an appeal. “Understandably, there is considerable community concern about the sentence imposed,” Mr Debus said.

The court heard Holton was re-enacting one of his PlayStation computer games and was testing his car rally skills during the 40-minute pursuit.

Constable Affleck’s distraught family said it was “extremely disappointed” at the sentence and wanted harsher terms imposed on anyone convicted of murdering a police officer.

“If someone is prepared to kill a police officer they’re prepared to kill anybody, and I think they should have a sentence which is much stronger for police,” the victim’s brother, Paul Affleck, said outside court. “They’re out there doing their job, protecting us, and it should be reflected in the sentencing. Mr Carr’s talking about minimum sentences all the time.”

Inspector Hans Rupp, who led the investigation, said: “Trish has lost a good husband, his work colleagues have lost a great mate and, unfortunately for NSW, we’ve lost a great policeman. You just can’t replace police of the calibre of Jim Affleck.”

Holton was sentenced to a maximum 16 years.

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http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/01/1067597201712.html?from=storyrhs

Outrage at police killer’s mercy bid

By Sean Berry
November 2, 2003

The family of murdered policeman Jim Affleck has described his killer’s attempt to appeal against a 12-year jail sentence as “an outrage”.

A year after Trevor Edward Holton was sentenced to serve a minimum of 12 years (maximum of 16) in jail for the highway patrol officer’s murder, he has initiated an appeal against the severity of the sentence in the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Holton, of Claymore, south-west Sydney, was sentenced in August after he ran down and killed Affleck in January 2001.

He hit Affleck with a stolen four-wheel-drive when he swerved to avoid road spikes the policeman was laying across the M5 Freeway at Campbelltown.

Delivering the sentence in the Supreme Court, Acting Judge Thomas Davidson said the jail term needed to act as a deterrent and demonstrate that such acts against police in the execution of their duty would not be tolerated.

However, the Department of Public Prosecutions has since lodged an appeal against the leniency of the sentence, with a hearing due next month.

The Crown’s stance is in contrast to Holton’s planned appeal against the harshness of the same sentence.

“If he does [appeal], it may well be that the Crown appeal in December will be vacated,” a court spokesman said. “The court likes to deal with these things as one.”

Any appeal against the severity flies in the face of the outrage that greeted the sentencing last year.

“We thought he deserved more,” the victim’s brother, Paul Affleck, said. “Before the sentencing we sat down with [then police minister] Michael Costa. He gave us an idea of what they were looking at for minimum sentences and more stringent sentencing.

“It has now been 12 months since the sentencing and nothing has been done. How many more policemen have to die before someone does something?”

NSW shadow attorney-general Andrew Tink said he had a simple approach to the matter.

“Anyone who kills a police officer while they are carrying out their duties should go to jail for life,” he said. “That is our strong stance.”

Mr Affleck said Holton’s bid to reduce his sentence was not a surprise, just unfortunate.

“We have been expecting that all along, just the way the defence was talking after the trial,” he said.

“Anyone who kills a policeman should spend his life in jail – he had a criminal record going back until he was 13 or something.

“I think it’s ridiculous and I don’t know why we tolerate these things. I just think it’s ridiculous he has the opportunity to [appeal].

“I think anyone who kills anyone doesn’t deserve any freedom.”

---

David Andrew CARTY    VA

formerly of Parkes, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

NSW Police Academy Class # 257

Regd. # ?????

Rank:  Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 20 February 1994 ( aged

Probationary Constable – appointed  19 August 1994 ( aged

Constable – appointed  19 August 1995

Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?

Time employed with NSW Police:  From:  19 August 1994   to   18 April 1997 =  2 years, 7 months, 30 days

Served:  From  20 February 1994  to  18 April 1997 = 3 years, 1 month, 29 days Service

Retirement / Leaving age: =  25 years, ? months, ? days

Time in Retirement from Police: 0

Stations:  Liverpool ( 22 Division )( 19 August 1994 – 19 November 1994 ),

Fairfield ( 20 November 1994 – 18 April 1997 ) – Death

Awards:  Commended for Good Police Work & Professionalism displayed in connect with an attempted hold-up of a takeaway food store in Fairfield in February 1996.

Commissioners Valour Award

No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  1971 in Parkes, NSW

Age:  25

Died:  Friday 18 April 1997

Cause:  Stabbed ( Murdered )

Event date: Friday 18 April 1997

Event location:  Cambridge Tavern, Horsley Dve & Alan St, Fairfield

Location of the Murder:

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried / Cremated:  Carty Family property – Parkes, NSW

Memorial location:  1/ Police Dog Carts  ( coincidentally also stabbed to death )

2/ David Carty Reserve, Fairfield East, NSW ( cnr Fairfield St & The Horsley Dve )

3/ David Carty Conference Room – Fairfield Police Station, Smart St, Fairfield, NSW  ( Dedicated / Opened on 18 April 2017 )

DAVID IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 8pm on 17 April, 1997 Constable Carty and other police had reason to speak to a number of people in the street at Fairfield while carrying out foot patrols. Some time later the constable and other police, then off duty, attended a local hotel, the Cambridge Tavern. About 2.10am as he was leaving the hotel Constable Carty was set upon by a number of offenders, including some of those he had spoken to earlier, and was stabbed to death. Senior Constable Michelle Auld ( # 23293 ), who had gone to his assistance, was also seriously assaulted in the cowardly attack.

Both Constable Carty and Senior Constable Auld were awarded the Commissioner’s Valour Award.

The constable was born in 1971 and was sworn in as a probationary constable in August, 1994. At the time of his death he was stationed at Fairfield.

Remembering our colleague, Constable David Carty after 25 years.

An Official Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 19 April 2022 @ 10am at the Fairfield RSL ( Due to weather conditions it won’t be held at David Carty Park ).

 

 

Const Carty (pictured) was remembered by police officers and former colleagues at Fairfield police station on Friday, the 17th anniversary of his brutal death.

On April 18, 1997, Const Carty, 25, was stabbed in the Cambridge Tavern car park, after having a drink with colleagues after a late shift.

Superintendent Peter Lennon said April 18 was one date he and his fellow officers would never forget. “He (Const Carty) came from the country and was well-respected by everyone,” he said.

During the memorial service, a minute’s silence was held and wreaths were laid in memory of the young man.

Supt Lennon said being in the police force meant brave men and women confronted dangers as they performed their duties.

“Police officers put their lives on the line every day for their community,” he said. “Whilst this event was after hours, he was still a serving officer because he was known to be a police officer when the incident occurred.”

HONOURING DAVID CARTY

■ David Andrew Carty, from Parkes, joined the NSW Police Force on February 20, 1994

■ After being posted to Liverpool police station, he was transferred to Fairfield police station on November 20, 1994, and confirmed to the rank of Constable on August 19, 1995

■ During the early hours of April 18, 1997, Constable Carty, 25, was stabbed in the car park of Fairfield’s Cambridge Tavern, where he had enjoyed a drink with colleagues after a late shift

■ His memory was honoured at Fairfield police station on Friday for the 17th anniversary of his death

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/south-west/constable-david-carty-was-remembered-as-a-respected-man-at-the-17th-anniversary-of-his-death/story-fngr8hxh-1226892214839

NSW Police Force held a memorial service on Wednesday to commemorate the life and service of former Parkes man Constable David Carty, who was slain 15 years ago.

Const Carty was stabbed to death as he left licensed premises in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield in the early hours of Friday, April 18, 1997, after having a drink with colleagues following a late shift.

At 10am on Wednesday April 18, 2012, colleagues and friends gathered at Fairfield Police Station for a memorial service, on the 15th anniversary of his death.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli, Fairfield Local Area Commander, Superintendent Peter Lennon, former colleagues, local police officers, local members of Parliament and members of the Fairfield community also attended.

Senior Catholic Police Chaplain, Father Paul O’Donoghue, led the blessing for serving police and emergency service officers.

Constable Carty’s family also held a memorial service on the family property in Parkes where Lachlan Local Area Commander, Robert Ryan, and local police officers paid their respects.

Supt Lennon said while it was painful to recall the circumstances of Constable Carty’s death, it was important for his memory to be honoured.

“David was a young man with a great future, personally and professionally,” Supt Lennon said.

“He had committed himself to protecting his community and paid the ultimate price.

“Every day, officers confront dangers as they perform their duties, and the memory of a departed colleague reminds us that a safe community can come at a high price for officers and their families,” Supt Lennon said.

Constable Carty joined the NSW Police Force on February 20, 1994, attesting as a Probationary Constable on August 19, 1994, and began working at Liverpool.

On November 20, 1994, he was transferred to Fairfield and confirmed to the rank of Constable on August 19, 1995.

Before joining the NSW Police, David Carty worked on the family farm and showed as much dedication and independence there as he did as a Constable.

“Constable Carty’s relatively short experience in the NSW Police Force showed him to be an exemplary police officer,” Supt Lennon said.

http://www.parkeschampionpost.com.au/story/192991/slain-local-police-officer-remembered/#slide=1

Tribute to Constable David Andrew Carty

http://23.101.218.132/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20120508004?open&refNavID=HA8_1

Peter John ADDISON

( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 175

Regd. #  19914

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

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

Constable – appointed 6 November 1982

Constable 1st Class – appointed 6 November 1986

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Kempsey

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

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

 National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  2 February 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Death location:  Main Street, Crescent Heads

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 5 months, 7 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

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

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s

PETER IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

&

Robert Bruce SPEARS

 ( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 227

ProCst # 98500

Regd. #  23854

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

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

Constable – appointed 26 June 1988

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Liverpool, Kempsey

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

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  16 March 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 3 months, 23 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?, Liverpool, NSW

Buried at:  ?

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

Compass Rose Garden, Innes Gardens Memorial Park, NSW: 

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s

ROBERT IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

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

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

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

The murderer then committed suicide with the rifle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Valour not forgotten

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

STORY SHAUN FEWINGS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS BRANCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police Monthly July 2015 – Addison_Spears.pdf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

McGowan then shot himself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Justice Hungerford found that the radio communications equipment was inadequate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police Service fined over shootings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Their pops would be proud

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

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

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

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

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

“There was an impact on so many people.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE DAY MURDER CAME TO MY SLEEPY BEACH TOWN

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

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

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

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

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

McGowan then turned the gun on himself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NSW Police Heritage story

p 261 & 261

Historical Firearms

1920s to 1972 — REVOLVERS & SELF LOADING PISTOLS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Friday 14 July 1995, page 6

14 Jul 1995 – Firearms amnesty follows tragedy – Trove

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Monday 10 July 1995, page 1

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

Sharon Louise WILSON

 late of Uralla, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

Goulburn Academy Class # 236

Regd. # 25???

Rank:  Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 8 May 1988 ( aged 19 years, 7 months, 16 days )( spent 2 months, 21 days at Academy )

Probationary Constable – appointed Friday  29 July 1988 ( aged 19 years, 10 months, 7 days )

Stations:  Leeton

Awards:  ? Nil

Born:  Sunday  22 September 1968

Age:  20 years, 2 months, 8 days

Service:  8 May 1988 to 30 November 1988 = 6 months, 22 days Service

Cause of death:  Accidentally Shot – by collegue – Service weapon

Location of incident:  inside Leeton Police Station

Location of Death:  Wagga Wagga Base Hospital

Died:  Wednesday  30 November 1988

Funeral:  Monday  5 December 1988 @ 1pm

Funeral location:  ?, Uralla

Buried:  ?  Uralla Cemetery, Kingstown Rd, Uralla, NSW

Memorial 1:  Memorial Tree planted at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn

Memorial 2:  Memorial plate on the front outside wall of Leeton Police Station.  Dedication done on 30 November 2015.  Photos below.

About 2.15pm on 30 November, 1988 Constable Wilson was on duty at the Leeton Police Station when she suffered a severe gunshot wound to the head when another member’s service revolver discharged. Although treated at the scene by colleagues until the ambulance arrived, she passed away at the Wagga Base Hospital at 5.45pm the same day.

The constable was born in 1968 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 9 May, 1988. At the time of her death she was stationed at Leeton.

Sharon is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

2 December 1988

“CHARGES POSSIBLE OVER SHOOTING

SYDNEY: The NSW Police Commissioner, John Avery, will decide whether charges should be laid against a constable allegedly involved in the shooting death of her 20 year-old colleague on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said yesterday a team of detectives was waiting to interview the young officer over the death of policewoman Sharon Wilson at the Leeton Police Station, in the state’s Riverina district.

He said results of the investigation would be forwarded to Mr Avery for consideration.

A police spokesman said the detectives — including two from Sydney’s Internal Affairs department, two from homicide, a ballistics expert and a police psychologist — were waiting to talk to the 19-year-old constable.

Probationary Constable Wilson was shot in the head by one bullet from a service revolver while on duty at Leeton Police Station, at 2.15pm on Wednesday.

She was rushed to Wagga Base Hospital, but died 3 1/2 hours later.

The policewoman awaiting questioning had been treated for shock and was being cared for by friends and welfare personnel, the spokesman said.

Detectives hoped to talk with her last night.

Miss Wilson, of Uralla, in the Northern Tablelands, was well known in the small community. She was regarded as a fine athlete and her 188cm frame was well known in the local basketball league.

Miss Wilson was studying visual arts at the Riverina Murray Institute of Higher Education in Wagga.

Her body will be transported to her home at Uralla, where a funeral will be held at 1pm on Monday.”

02 Dec 1988 – Charges possible over shooting – Trove

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Wednesday 15 March 1989, page 22

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120916451

The Sydney Morning Herald

28 July 1989      p 6 of 68

‘Empty’ gun killed officer

A policewoman fatally wounded a colleague with a shot from her service revolver which she believed was empty, the Leeton Local Court, in south-west NSW, heard yesterday.

Sheree Ann Schneider ( ProCst # 60370 ), 20, of Pine Avenue, Leeton was charged with the manslaughter of Constable Sharon Louise Wilson, 20, at Leeton Police Station on November 30 last year.

Constable Wilson died of head injuries at the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital as a result of the shooting.

Constable Harvey McRae told the court that he was sitting at a computer terminal when he heard the firing pin of a police revolver strike the empty chamber.  Constable Wilson had said, “Oh God, don’t do that.  You scared the living daylights out of me”.

He said Schneider pointed the revolver toward Constable Wilson and said:  “No, it’s empty, see?”  The gun then discharged.

Schneider said she went into the sergeant’s office and re-loaded her gun.  The court heard that four live bullets and one spent one were later removed from the revolver.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19890728

R_27_EPILOGUE_Police

http://nswjudicialinjustice.com/Contentsfiles/R_27_EPILOGUE_Police.pdf

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Sunday 30 July 1989, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122285837

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Tuesday 15 August 1989, page 5

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122276423

The Law—From Protector To Persecutor
From ‘Signs Of Senility‘ a chapter of ‘A Study Of Our Decline‘ by P Atkinson

(7/9/2013)

Schneider Case
In New South Wales, at Leeton police station on 30-Nov-1988, a junior policewoman produced a pistol and shot dead another officer. Sheree Ann Schneider claimed it was an accident. Satisfied the pistol was unloaded, she pulled the trigger without looking where the gun was pointed. The charge of Felonious Assault was dismissed in the lower court on 28th July 1989 under section 41 (vi) – the presiding officer ruled that no jury would convict. Use Of A Firearm In Disregard For Another Persons Safety was dismissed on 27th April 1990. The female did not even lose her job, presumably her fellow officers hope she will be more careful in future.

Court Ignores Duty
It is axiomatic with all weapons training that they never be pointed at anyone unless they are intended to be used —even in jest. Deliberately pulling the trigger without looking where the .38 pistol was pointed was criminal irresponsibility. Sharon Wilson was killed as the result of criminal negligence; a failure that should not be tolerated from any citizen, much less a police officer. Not knowing the gun was loaded is no excuse for anyone, least of all a trained professional. For the courts to fail to penalise this action is to commit more crimes; the denial of the importance of duty and the magnitude of taking a life.

The Law Repeats The Role Of Indulgent Parents
Schneider escaped penalty by adopting the infantile excuse that she was merely the hapless victim of the inadequate police weapons training program; that this was accepted by the authorities is not an aberration. Trial for murder is no longer a matter of resolving fact; it has become a re-enactment of the spoilt child caught by their indulgent parents; if the miscreant can deflect blame while generating sympathy then all is forgiven.

http://www.ourcivilisation.com/signs/chap8.htm

On 1 September, 1986 Sergeant Jennings was at home at the police residence attached to the West Wallsend Police Station. While he was mowing the lawns (one of his duties) he suffered a fatal heart attack.

The sergeant was born in 18 September 1944 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 22 February, 1965. At the time of his death he was stationed at West Wallsend.

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

Police Remembrance Day:

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.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2591540/lake-illawarra-officers-honoured-on-police-remembrance-day-photos/

Deadly toll

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:

April 2, 1937: Constable George Boore;

June 2, 1954: Constable Cecil Sewell;

November 14, 1958: Constable Brian Boaden;

December 23, 1958: Constable William Lord;

October 14, 1961: Constable James Kinnane;

September 7, 1963: Constable Colin Robb;

December 2, 1976: Constable Terry Moncur;

January 3, 1985: Constable Wayne Rixon;

July 25, 1985: Detective-Constable Stephen Tier;

October 20, 1987: Constable Themelis Macarounas;

August 24, 1988: Constable Peter Carter;

June 13, 1989: Constable Peter Figtree;

June 14, 1989: Senior Constable Glenn Rampling;

January 14, 2001: Senior Constable James Affleck;

April 13, 2002: Senior Constable Christopher Thornton.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Police-Pursuits/Deadly-toll/2004/11/05/1099547386960.html

Clarence Roy PIRIE

AKA CLARRIE

Late of Capertee, NSW

Husband to widow Frances Josephine PIRIE who died 12 October 2019 ( see below ) 58 yrs 11 mths 29 days after Clarrie

NSW Penrith Police College Class # “possibly” 005

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  5824

Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 15 September 1947

Constable – appointed ? ? ?

Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?

Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?

Final Rank = Senior Constable

Stations: Parramatta ( 18 Division 1947 – ? ), Young – Lock-Up-Keeper ( ? – 1958 ), Capertee ( 1958 – 1960 ) – Death

Service: From ? pre September 1947 ? to 13 October 1960 = 13+ years Service

C.M.F.                                1 October 1941 – 28 April 1943

A.I.F.                                  29 April 1943 – 6 August 1946

World War II                    Australian Imperial Force

Regiment:                         2 Aust. Ord. Port Detachments

Enlisted:                            28 June 1943

Service #                           NX171227  ( N210415 )

Rank:                                 Private

Embarkation:                   Duntroon for Pt. Moresby 12 July 1943

Next of kin:                       Mrs Henrietta PIRIE, 50 Meehan St, Granville – Mother

Religion:                            C of E

Single / Married:              Single

Returned to Australia:    ?

Date of Discharge:           6 August 1946

Posting at Discharge:       HQ 6 A B S A

WWII Honours & Gallantry:  None for display

POW:                                  No

Occupation upon joining:     Mill Hand – Process Operator

War Service In Au:           195 days

Active Service outside Au: 553 days

Active Service in Au:        1017 days

Police Awards: No find on Australian Honours

Born: Sunday  22 August 1920 at Paddington, NSW

Died on: Thursday  13 October 1960

Age: 40 yrs  1 mth  21 days

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location: Jews Creek, Capertee, NSW

Event date: Thursday  13 October 1960

Funeral date: Monday  17 October 1960

Funeral location: ?

Wake location: ?

Funeral Parlour: ?

Buried at: Rookwood Cemetery, NSW

Grave Location:  Zone E, Section 19, Grave 3661

Memorial located at: 1/  Glen Davis Rd, Capertee – the Clarence Pirie Memorial Park

Lat: -33.143736
Long: 149.983791

2/ a Wall Plaque at Chifley L.A.C.

CLARENCE IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Grave location:  Rookwood Cemetery, NSW

Zone E, Section 19, Grave 3661

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May they forever Rest In Peace

Senior Constable Clarrie Pirie was the Officer-in-Charge of the Capertee Police Station from 1958 until his death on 13 October, 1960. On that day he was informed by Lithgow Police that two male offenders had abandoned a stolen car at Cudgigong, north of Capertee.

While patrolling the area Senior Constable Pirie found two fourteen year-olds with a vehicle at a roadside camping area at Jews Creek, ten miles south of Capertee. These however were not the two offenders the police were searching for and as such Constable Pirie did not know that on the previous day the pair had escaped from the Yasmar children’s detention centre ( Lidcombe ) and had broken into a dwelling where they stole several items of property and the vehicle before driving to the Jews Creek area.

As the constable was talking to the young offenders one of them suddenly produced a .22 rifle and shot Constable Pirie. He died a short time later. Both youths were captured the following day.

The senior constable was born in 1920 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September, 1947.

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

Source:  Beyond Courage

As an aside – Clarence PIRIE was the cousin of Victor AHEARN who was also shot and murdered in 1946 aged 40.

( Eli HANSON, NSWPF # 2207, Retired in 1962 and died in January 1973 ( aged 71 years, 0 months, 2 days ) )

Police Remembrance Day – 29 September 2022

A message received from one of the daughters of Roy & Frances PIRIE on 21 September 2022:

Dear Greg, Not sure if you are the right person to find out some info on Police Memorial Day Services in the Young area.

I live near Young & would really like to be able to pay my respect to my Dad who was killed on duty in 1960. It’s my only way to keep my memory going & now my Mum has passed, I’m feeling the sadness even more.

My Dad was Constable Clarence Roy Pirie who was shot & killed at Capertee.

I usually find out after the event that there had been a service around Young so what I’m hoping is that someone could let me know beforehand so I could attend.

Sorry to trouble you but just reaching out.

Yours respectfully,

Francine Pirie.

/////////////////////

Hello Francine.

Good choice picking me. lol.

I have tried to phone Young ( without success ) but I have just spoken with the District Commander, Supt. Paul Condon, and he confirms that there WILL be a Service in Young.

He is now on the phone to obtain the ‘where and when’ for us.

/////////////////////

omg, bless you & thank you x

I am on NSW Fallen Police ( FB Group ) so that’s how I got you so; thanks again.

////////////////////

There is a Service at Young Police Station ( only a small Service though ) at 11am on Thursday 29 September. The troops there will be expecting you.

////////////////////

Greg thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’ll be there

x

////////////////////

You are very welcome Francine.

xoxox

Cal

///////////////////

Dear Greg,

Thank you so much for organising my attendance yesterday.

The staff at Young Police Station were amazing. The young Police Officers were so interested in my family’s story.

Thank you for the link as I read through the article I read things I didn’t know about. Many tears have been cried but I still believe it’s been a healing time for me even though it’s been 62 years.

Sometimes you need a reason & yesterday was a good reason to grieve, not only for my Dad but for all the other families who have lost their loved one.

Again Greg, thank you from my heart as this would not have happened if you hadn’t gone to the trouble to organise this for me.

God bless you

Francine Pirie

xx

The Result

Great effort from Young Police and Supt. Paul Condon, Goulburn

Mrs Frances Josephine PIRIE sadly passed away last night ( Friday 12 October 2019 ) aged 94 years – 5 days shy of her 95th birthday.

Wife of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE of the Capertee Police.

Almost 59 years to the day, Frances and Clarey are together again.

May they both, forever, Rest In Peace.

Capertee HERITAGE

http://caperteeheritage.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-tragic-death-of-clarie-pirie.html

Friday, 20 September 2013

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/national_police_remembrance_day

---

Clarence Pirie Memorial Park Rest Area

The Canberra Times  Friday

14 October 1960  page 1 of 28

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/136940872

Constable Shot Dead In Chase

SYDNEY, Thursday: – Police were to-night conducting one of the largest manhunts ever in the Central Western district for two youths who are alleged to have shot dead Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 40, of Cullen Bullen.

The constable was chasing two youths on the Capertee Cullen Bullen Road early to- night.

Pirie, a father of four, was believed to have been killed with a .22 rifle.

Police from Lithgow, Bathurst, Mount Victoria, Kandos, Rylstone, Katoomba, Oberon, Orange and other centres are searching dense bush near Jews Creek.

Police from other Central Western stations and from Sydney will join the searchers to-morrow.

The searchers are heavily armed with rifles and riot guns.

Other specialised weapons will arrive from Sydney to-morrow.

At 9 a.m. to-day a stolen car was found abandoned at Cudgegong.

Two youths were seen to leave the car and police in the area were alerted.

Constable Pirie sighted two youths in a second stolen car on the Lithgow-Mudgee Road near Jew’s Creek.

Overturned

The stolen car overturned at high speed about a half mile farther on.

Two youths scrambled from the wreck and fled into the bush.

Constable Pirie followed them.

Police believe that the elder youth, realising that Pirie was following them, turned and fired the shot which fatally wounded the policeman.

---

 

The Canberra Times  Wednesday

19 October 1960  page 29 of 33

Murder Charge Remand For Boy

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/103107227

LITHGOW, Tuesday:- A 14-year-old Sydney boy was remanded in Lithgow Children’s Court to-day on a charge of murdering a policeman.

He was remanded till November 1 without bail and will be detained in custody until that date.

The boy was charged with having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie at Jews Creek camping reserve on October 13.

Police prosecutor Sergeant J. S. Smith said the youth charged with murder had   escaped from a Sydney boys’ home on October 12 and together with another boy had stolen a car.

The car was allegedly parked at Jews Creek’ Camping reserve the next day.

When Const. Pirie approached the vehicle he was allegedly shot dead.

---

 

The Canberra Times  Tuesday  7 March 1961  page 3 of 20

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/103115285

Boy, 15, Goes To Gaol For 15 Years

SYDNEY, Monday: — Christopher Lindsay, 15, went to gaol to-day for 15 years for killing a policeman last year.

Mr. Justice Else Mitchell described the fair-haired, well-dressed boy as a “young gangster.”

Lindsay, of Alice Street, Newtown, did not appear to be emotionally upset at the sentence.

He turned to court officials who led him from the dock to the cells below.

The sight of the boy being led away brought an outburst of sobbing from the public gallery.

Lindsay last week had pleaded not guilty to having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 39, at Jews Creek Camping Reserve off the Mudgee Road near Cullen Bullen on October 13 last.

The Crown accepted Lindsay’s plea of guilty of man slaughter.

Lindsay – standing in the dock of Central Criminal Court with hands clasped in front of him – heard Mr. Justice Else Mitchell say that the deposition and Lindsay’s own signed statement left slender ground for the lesser offence.

“Before committing this crime, you had shown a refusal both in England and in this country to conform with the laws which are made for the good of society.

“From the record, it is clear that the processes of the habitation and reform which are provided by the country here have made no impact on your attitude or conduct.

“In pursuit of this anti-social conduct you twice escaped from Yasma shelter, where you were being detained awaiting trial for various charges, and on the second occasion in company with a confederate, younger than yourself, stole a rifle, food, other goods and then a motor car in which you travelled to the scene of the crime.

“When you were in fear of apprehension by a constable of the police for the theft of the car you did not hesitate to shoot him because as you said ‘You did not want him to catch you with the car.’

“Your subsequent conduct and your attempt to evade capture though perhaps natural do not appear to have been accompanied by any manifestation of c0ntrition or remorse, a fact which seems to me all the more serious in view of Dr. McGeorge’s conclusion that you are not suffering from any mental or psychiatric disorders.

“A substantial sentence appears to be necessary not only for the reasons I mentioned but as the only possible way in which you may begin to understand your obligations to society.”

 

---

The Canberra Times  Saturday

12 August 1961  page 23 of 28

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/103083643

Boy Killer’s Appeal Fails

SYDNEY, Friday:— The Full Supreme Court to-day dismissed a school boy’s appeal against a 15-year sentence for the manslaughter of a policeman.

The boy, Christopher Lindsay, 15, appealed against the severity of the sentence.

Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, in Central Criminal Court, had sentenced Lindsay to 15 years gaol for the manslaughter of Constable

Clarence Roy Pirie, at Jew’s Creek, last October.

Pirie was questioning Lindsay on a car theft at the time.

Lindsay to-day conducted his own case before the Full Bench — comprising the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Evatt, Mr. justice Herron and Mr. Justice Hardie.

He handed the bench a written statement, headed —’ “No Discourtesy.”

The statement read: “I respectfully submit that His Honour, at the time of imposing the severe sentence for manslaughter, regarded the offence as tantamount to murder.

“I further most respectfully submit the crime was not premeditated.

“The whole tragedy took place in a matter of seconds.

“At no time did I intend this man’s death.

“I respectfully submit that a 14-year-old youth to be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for a crime he did not intend, is too severe.”

Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, reported to the Full Court, that Lindsay’s offence was hardly distinguishable from murder.

However, he had felt that he was bound by the Crown’s acceptance of the manslaughter plea.

Lindsay originally had been charged with murder.

Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell said it had been submitted he should not impose a crushing sentence.

He also was mindful of the danger with a youthful offender — that the imposition of a heavy gaol sentence often could produce more harm than good.

The Full Court ruled unanimously against Lindsay’s appeal.

It added that Lindsay’s crime called for the greatest condemnation.

---

Police remember fallen

By JANICE HARRIS

Sept. 28, 2006, 8:28 a.m.

http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/767925/police-remember-fallen/

 

REPRESENTATIVES from Orange Police Station will today attend a national memorial in Canberra for Police Remembrance Day.

For Inspector Greg Pringle and Canobolas Local Area administration manager John Pirie, the day bears a special significance.

John Pirie was just coming up to his fifth birthday when his 40-year-old father Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie was shot at point-blank range and killed near Capertee.

It was on October 13, 1960, that Mr Pirie’s father was patrolling when he came across a stolen vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to two youths inside, but one of them pulled a gun on Snr Const Pirie and shot him.

Inspector Pringle’s experience is in contrast, but he agrees the grief that comes with losing a colleague on the job remains for many years.

“I was with highway patrol working out of Cootamundra in 1988. I had a cup of tea with a fellow officer Constable Kurt Schetor before we headed off to patrol in separate directions,” Insp Pringle said.

Ten minutes later the then Constable Pringle received a call to respond to a crash and he arrived to find his friend and colleague was in involved in a head-on crash with a truck.

“I did my best but I couldn’t revive him,” he said.

Insp Pringle said many police officers carried a burden of grief with them for colleagues who died on the job.

“In many ways it is harder to deal with your own grief,” he said.

“When you are a police officer your ‘tank’ is full of other people’s grief because that’s part of the job. But it doesn’t leave much left.”

Officers from Canobolas Local Area Command will not be marking Police Remembrance Day in Orange this year.

Instead, this year’s service will be held at Cowra which is part of the Canobolas Local Area Command.

---

Family honours a dad’s sacrifice

By LOUISE EDDY

Sept. 29, 2010, 8:23 a.m

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/912010/family-honours-a-dads-sacrifice/

A brother and sister came to yesterday’s National Police Remembrance Day ceremony to remember their dad who was killed in the line of duty 50 years ago.

Three generations of Clarence Roy Pirie’s family came together in All Saints’ Cathedral to honour the police officer who was shot and killed by two escapees at Capertee on October 13, 1960.

At the time her father was killed MaryAnne Ford was just three years old – her brother Ron Pirie was seven. There were two more siblings Francine who was not yet two and John who was five. After the police officer’s death, their mum was left to raise the young family alone. Although MaryAnne remembers little of her dad she still treasures the plastic ‘policeman plod’ doll that he gave her before he died. It is something concrete to remember him by.

“The day I got married I left my bouquet on his grave,” she said.

Ron said although he has blocked out a lot of his memories of that sad time there are things that he does remember – like being put in the wooden slab lock up when he was naughty.

Although yesterday’s national remembrance day was to remember all police who lost their lives, for Clarence Pirie’s family it was very personal.

Apart from MaryAnne and Ron, Clarence’s granddaughters Ruth Ford and Kellyanne Howarth were at the special ceremony along with his three-month-old great grandson Jaydon.

They said the ceremony was both moving and beautiful.

“It was hard, but it was good,” Ron said with tears in his eyes.

He paused then and shook his head. “You know it never goes away.”

---

 

Glen Davis Rd, Capertee, NSW

Lat:  -33.143736  Long:  149.983791

 

December 2010

Police News

by Det. Supt. ( Retired ) Jim FOSTER ( R.I.P. 9 July 2019 )

 

---

 

( 2014 )  The offender, Christopher Lindsay ( assuming he served the full 15 years, would have been 30 years of age when released from gaol in 1975.  Assuming he is still alive today, he would now be around 69 years old.

I did a cursory search for him, via Google, but it is a common name and pursued it no further.

Cal

---

[blockquote]Stopped at my Dad’s park and had a cuppa a few days ago, often wonder how different our lives would have been if he hadn’t been killed. I will, in my elderly mother’s honor, ride the Wall to Wall ( of Remembrance ) this September.[/blockquote]

---

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

Event date:   Tuesday  1 June 1954

Funeral date:  Thursday  3 June 1954

Funeral location:  Baptist Church, Harrow Road, Auburn

Buried at:  Rookwood Cemetery, Rookwood

Area: Zone F, Sect:  Independent General K,  Grave 2643

 Memorial located at:  ?

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 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.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May they forever Rest In Peace

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.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18427216

Deadly toll

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:

April 2, 1937: Constable George Boore;

June 2, 1954: Constable Cecil Sewell;

November 14, 1958: Constable Brian Boaden;

December 23, 1958: Constable William Lord;

October 14, 1961: Constable James Kinnane;

September 7, 1963: Constable Colin Robb;

December 2, 1976: Constable Terry Moncur;

January 3, 1985: Constable Wayne Rixon;

July 25, 1985: Detective-Constable Steven Tier;

October 20, 1987: Constable Themelis Macarounas;

August 24, 1988: Constable Peter Carter;

June 13, 1989: Constable Peter Figtree;

June 14, 1989: Senior Constable Glenn Rampling;

January 14, 2001: Senior Constable James Affleck;

April 13, 2002: Senior Constable Christopher Thornton.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Police-Pursuits/Deadly-toll/2004/11/05/1099547386960.html

Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 – 1962),

Wednesday 1 September 1954, page 1

SEWELL FUND IS CLOSED

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132143069

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),

Friday 4 June 1954, page 4

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27517645

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.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18427216

Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954),

Wednesday 2 June 1954, page 1