http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19780626&id=fJ1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iOYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2435,8247358
FURTHER INFORMATION NEEDED !
With regret I advise the death of Bruce William Wallace GIBBS, 86 old, a Veteran member of the Northern Metropolitan Branch of the RPA, NSW.
Bruce passed away on 29/09/2013 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday 9th October 2013 at Pittwater Uniting Church, 10 Jubilee Avenue, WARRIEWOOD, NSW.
Message from Bruces’ son, Robert:
…..and then there were three.
Just as another stunning day was dawning in Manly town today, my beautiful father Bruce passed away peacefully in his sleep at Manly Waters Private Hospital. The last 12 months has been savage on the old fella’s body, taking three episodes of renal failure, a heart attack, pneumonia and finally a stroke to finish him off. It has been a long road since he thumbed his nose at the priest giving him the last rites and Doctors who said he would have severe brain damage (if he was to survive) after having his illness in 1991. Bruce was much loved by his four children and their partners, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by his old work colleagues, friends and neighbours. He was a champion bloke and I couldn’t have had a better father to love and model my life upon. He will be having a quiet beer with Margie and Wendy somewhere!
Robert Gibbs
Bruce joined the NSWPF in 1945 as a 17 year old Cadet. He worked at the Old Depot (Redfern Academy) filling cars and cleaning the stalls for the mounted police unit and later working in the darkroom at the Photographic Unit, old CIB building, Surry Hills.
He then did mainly traffic duties working mainly from North Sydney at the the ‘Traffic Bureau’, which later became the ‘Special Traffic Patrol’ and the ‘Highway Patrol’.
He progressed through the ranks, and when Senior Sergeant became the OIC of the Police Driver Training School at St Ives ( now closed ).
On becoming an Inspector, he was the OIC at Mona Vale Police Station (the old 29 Division) and then OIC of the Sydney Water Police where his office looked straight across Sydney Cove to the Opera House! (Now the site of the Park Hyatt Hotel).
Bruce then became a Superintendent relieving in several locations, before retiring in 1986 at the rank of Chief Super as the OIC of ‘E District’ of which encompassed the North Shore area of Sydney.
With regret I advise the death of William John HUGHES, 87 old, former Regd. No. 6647, a Veteran member of the Newcastle Branch of the RPA.
Bill passed away on 25/09/2013 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 11am on Tuesday 1st October at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, NEWCASTLE WEST.
Glen was also the owner / operator of “Skybound Hang Gliding School” and had been a qualified hang gliding instructor since 21 July 1983 with approximately 1850 hours hang gliding experience.
Glen’s wife, Sue and brother Adrian were on the hill and witnessed the accident.
Glen used to work at Wollongong G.D’s, South Region Dog Squad around 1992 & his dogs name was ‘Jet’ and, from memory, Wollongong Prosecutors.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Sutherland Prosecutors.
May Glen forever Rest In Peace.
Accident location
Page 11 Wednesday 21 March 2001
Illawarra Mercury page 9
Monday 10 February 1992 with police dog Jet
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Two hang-gliders had to be rescued by helicopter from a rock at the bottom of a cliff after they were injured during a tandem flight at Stanwell Park.
The delicate rescue operation occurred under a darkening sky after an unexpected change of wind forced the emergency landing about 4.30pm yesterday.Hang-glider operator Tony Armstrong, 55, of the Stanwell Park Hang-gliding and Paragliding School, was initially knocked unconscious while landing on the rock.
He was later taken by helicopter to St George Hospital with head injuries and is in a stable condition.
The other man, an Irishman in his 30s visiting Australia on a working holiday visa, received cuts to his leg and was driven by ambulance to Wollongong Hospital.
Mark Mitsos, secretary of the school, told the Mercury northern suburbs man Mr Armstrong had more than 25 years’ hang-gliding experience and had spent thousands of hours in the air off Bald Hill.
“There was a very sudden change in wind direction and he effectively had to make an emergency landing down at the bottom – and there’s not too many options down there,” Mr Mitsos said.
Local hang-glider Matt Radzyner said sudden wind changes at Bald Hill were almost impossible to predict. He praised Mr Armstrong.
“He would have been in control the whole time and he obviously put his passenger first because his passenger had much lesser injuries.
“He took the brunt of the crash.
“The injured Irishman used his mobile phone to call five friends waiting on Bald Hill, who walked 40 minutes down a steep track to the men’s aid.
Ambulance officers began the trek just after 5pm, but the rescue helicopter reached the injured men first and winched them back to the top of the cliff.
The friends were transported to a nearby beach.
The most high-profile hang-gliding accident in recent times at Bald Hill occurred in September 2000 and left two dead.
Police officer Sergeant Glenn Connor, of Otford, was flying tandem with an Albion Park Rail woman when their gilder became tangled in the lines of a paraglider being flown by Hurstville man Vitali Kouznetsov.
The woman survived.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/622998/hang-gliders-hurt-in-stanwell-park-crash-landing/
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[alert_green]PAUL is mentioned on the NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall at the SPC
D 30 Left Wall[/alert_green]
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The Daily Telegraph 31 July 2007
AN off-duty policeman has died after being pinned between his car and a second vehicle which crossed to the wrong side of a road on the NSW mid-north coast, police say.
Senior Constable Paul Morris, 40, died on Wharf Street, Tuncurry about 12.55pm (AEST) today after he was struck by the car, NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said.
Mr Moroney said a second off-duty officer, a 36-year-old woman, was also injured in the incident but had been treated and released from Tuncurry Hospital.
“We understand at this time that a motor vehicle approached from the opposite direction and, for reasons yet to be established, it appears to have mounted a median strip,” Mr Moroney told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
“It has travelled onto the incorrect side of the road and struck Senior Constable Morris, who was pinned beside his vehicle. He was killed by his injuries.”
The incident was witnessed by fellow officers, police said in a statement.
Mr Moroney said the policeman was a single man who was “close friends” with his female colleague.
The driver of the other vehicle had been taken to hospital in a state of shock, he said.
Mr Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione were tonight on their way to Tuncurry.
Police Minister David Campbell offered sympathy to the families of the two officers.
“Our hearts go out to their families,” he said.
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Highway patrol officers “held back tears” as NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney offered them support over the death of an off-duty colleague in a freak car accident.
One witness told police Senior Constable Paul Morris died as he pushed his girlfriend, an off-duty officer who was injured in the incident, out of the way of an out-of-control car on the NSW mid-north coast on Tuesday.
Snr Const Morris, 40, died on Wharf Street, Tuncurry, about 12.55pm (AEST) after he was struck by the reversing car that pinned him to his own vehicle, police said.
A 36-year-old woman, who was in a relationship with Snr Const Morris, was also injured in the incident but had been treated at Manning Base Hospital and discharged.
Mr Moroney and Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione rushed to Tuncurry late on Tuesday to console local officers, some of whom saw the fatal collision.
Tony Ritchie, spokesman for the commissioner, said Mr Moroney and Mr Scipione also visited Snr Const Morris’ parents on Tuesday night to offer their support.
“There was a gathering of highway patrol officers in another house,” Mr Ritchie said.
“They walked through, shared the comfort, shook hands and watched as big men held back tears as they talked about friends.
“Same with the parents, they offered what comfort they could.”
Mr Ritchie described the collision near the Bellevue Hotel, a favourite haunt of off-duty police, as “freakish”.
He said it appeared the car that hit the officers, described as a silver Subaru station wagon by one witness, became locked in reverse as it tried to park.
Another witness told police the car’s tyres were smoking as it veered out of control, he said.
“(Snr Const Morris) was standing on a median strip, he was just about to walk across the road to get into his car,” Mr Ritchie said.
“He had to literally walk across one lane to get into his car and (another) car in some bizarre way somehow locked itself into reverse and comes veering across one lane … over the median strip and knocked him further across the road into his car.
“(The car) could have been one foot either way, six inches either way and (Snr Const Morris) would have said ‘Gee, what was that all about’.”
Mr Moroney’s spokesman said police were still looking for witnesses but one had told them Snr Const Morris tried to save his girlfriend.
“One of the witnesses said he’s pushed her out of the way as the car’s come across the road,” he said.
“But (the witness was) looking the other way, mind you, and it was all in a split second.”
Mr Ritchie said police were still considering whether it was appropriate to charge the driver of the Subaru, who was also injured in the incident.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/police-mourn-victim-of-freak-accident-20070801-qxh.html
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The Daily Telegraph 2 August 2007
THE distraught girlfriend of a policeman who died while pushing her from the path of an out-of-control car has described how the hero officer’s actions saved her life.
Tracey Fergus was yesterday suffering physical injuries and a broken heart after the death of Senior Constable Paul Morris, her boyfriend of four years.
As the couple crossed the main street of Tuncurry, on the NSW mid-North Coast, on Tuesday afternoon a car suddenly reversed towards them.
Sen-Constable Morris tried to push Ms Fergus, who is also a police officer, out of the way, but both were struck by the vehicle.
The off-duty highway patrol officer took the full force of the car and died at the scene from massive injuries.
“That was Paul, he tried to push me out of the way as best he could,” a shattered Ms Fergus told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
“He was the best person in the world. He had a heart of gold.”
Nursing visible injuries from the incident, Ms Fergus smiled as her boyfriend’s family told of his three great loves – his girlfriend, his family and his fishing. “I sometimes wonder if fishing might have come first,” Ms Fergus said with a smile.
Just three weeks ago, Ms Fergus organised a surprise 40th birthday party for Sen-Constable Morris.
“I didn’t know whether he’d kill me for organising it or if he’d be OK about it,” Ms Fergus said.
But there was no mistaking how the policeman felt about the gesture.
The officer’s mother Marie Morris revealed: “He said to me afterwards ‘Mum, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me’.”
The investigation into the incident continued yesterday, with crash unit officers from Newcastle closing off Manning St in the town centre while they retraced the pair’s movements.
Sen-Constable Morris and Ms Fergus had been to a shop and were on a median strip waiting to get back to their car when the accident happened.
“It looks as if he’s been reversing back and somehow he’s come spearing across and hit the two officers, who were standing on the median strip,” a police spokesman said.
The 61-year-old male driver of the car was assisting police with inquiries late yesterday.
A full police funeral will be held for Sen-Constable Morris next week.
“He was a terrific policeman and he had the best group of workmates you could ever have,” his mother said.
The officer’s grieving colleagues visited his family after the accident, as did Police Commissioner Ken Moroney and Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scippione.
Workmates struggling to come to terms with the popular officer’s death have been offered counselling.
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/hero-lover-died-to-save-me/story-e6freuzi-1111114089818
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Great Lakes Advocate
REST IN PEACE SENIOR CONSTABLE Paul MORRIS
31 July 2007
NSW POLICE FORCE
A DEVOTED partner, professional colleague and great mate is how Senior Constable Paul Morris will be remembered.
His three great loves in life were his partner Tracey, his family and his fishing, although not necessarily in that order – his brother Peter revealed at his funeral service.
Hundreds of people attended the full police funeral at Taree’s Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church including Commissioner Ken Moroney, Deputy Commissioner Andrew Scipione and colleagues from Sydney and the Manning Great Lakes.
The Manning Great Lakes highway patrol officer was killed in a freak traffic accident in Tuncurry last Tuesday.
In an act of bravery, the off duty officer who was standing in Manning St with his partner Senior Constable Tracey Fergus, jumped in front of her, protecting her from an out of control car which had crossed the median strip.
He bore the the brunt of the impact and later died at the scene.
Senior Constable Morris joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee in 1988 and later assigned to Windsor following successful training. He moved into the highway patrol sector and this included a nine year period with the Penrith Highway Patrol. He successfully transferred to Manning Great Lakes Command in April 2005 where he continued his role in keeping the road toll down.
Commissioner Moroney said Senior Constable Morris’ death was a tragic loss.
“Senior Constable Paul Morris was the type of professional police officer the NSW Police Force could not afford to lose.”
He added he was honoured to confirm Senior Constable Morris had been appointed a posthumous commendation for bravery in recognition of his actions in Tuncurry last Tuesday when he put his own life on the line to protect his partner Senior Constable Tracey Fergus.
“I pay a special tribute to his partner Tracey and parents Bill and Marie for the dedication and support they unreservedly gave to Paul throughout his career. I offer my deepest sympathy on his tragic and untimely death.”
Peter told the congregation his brother’s death had left a huge hole in their lives.
“We have lost our best mate,” he said.
“While he may not be here in body he will be here in spirit.
“He had one of the biggest hearts. Paul you are our hero and we won’t forget you.”
A message read on behalf of Tracey gave a true picture of her life partner.
“He was a true gentleman. He was my soul mate. Not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face or come out with a cheeky one-liner.
“It’s not often in a lifetime you meet a man like Paul Morris.
“Thank you for honouring him.”
Local Area Commander Superintendent Peter Thurtell said Senior Constable Morris was a true professional, working hard to keep local roads safe.
“Paul was our friend and he will always be.
“Paul was our colleague and he will always be.
“He was the essence of what is good about policing and he will always be.”
“Tomorrow and beyond the police family will now turn its attention to Tracey.
“This is, I believe, how Paul would have insisted it be.”
Senior Constable Paul Morris posthumously received the Certificate of Service, Region Certificate of Appreciation and State Emergency Service Medal.
http://www.greatlakesadvocate.com.au/…/force-h…/1376163.aspx
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The Daily Telegraph 7 August 2007
ON crutches and visibly injured, Tracey Fergus yesterday recalled the golden heart of her hero boyfriend who sacrificed his life to save hers.
The injured policewoman smiled bravely as she accepted a police valour award for Senior-Constable Paul Morris at his funeral service.
He was killed last Tuesday while pushing Ms Fergus out of the path of an out-of-control car. The couple had been crossing the main street in Tuncurry, on the mid-North Coast, when a car driven by an elderly man veered towards them.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told mourners at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Taree that it was the quick-thinking actions of Sen-Constable Morris in pushing Ms Fergus out of way that saved her life.
“He is awarded for his selflessness and courage and for the swift and evasive action to remove his partner out of harm’s way,” Mr Moroney said.
In tributes farewelling the officer, the congregation heard of Sen-Constable Morris’s love of life, his family, his friends and his job in highway patrol – a role he carried out for 19 years.
“He was a highly regarded and respected man who served the community with courage, honour and distinction,” Mr Moroney said.
Despite her injuries, Ms Fergus smiled graciously as she accepted the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage medal on Sen-Constable Morris’s behalf.
In a eulogy read on her behalf, Ms Fergus said Sen-Constable Morris was a gentle, loving and caring man who had a heart of gold.
“Paul was a true gentleman not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face,” Ms Fergus wrote in the eulogy.
Superintendent Peter Thurtell described Sen-Const Morris as the “consummate professional” with an love of highway patrol.
“His colleagues looked forward to working a shift with him because they could be guaranteed hard work as well as good fun and lots of laughter,” Supt Thurtell said. “He is the essence of what is good about policing and he will always be.”
At the end of the funeral service, Sen-Constable Morris’s coffin was driven through a guard-of-honour, formed by officers who gathered to to farewell their colleague.
In a tribute to the highway patrolman, the procession was lead from the church by his former police car, Manning 206.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/dead-cop-had-heart-of-gold/story-e6freuzi-1111114122190
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an old school cop
HE was from the old school breed of cops, a senior constable who had the respect of the public and would rather help people than lock them up.
George William Jones was possibly best known for his involvement in the pursuit of two of the nation’s most notorious killers – Allan Baker and Kevin Crump – convicted of the 1973 murders of Ian Lamb and Virginia Morse.
On that day in November, Senior Constable Jones was a passenger in a police car with his partner Senior Constable John Millward.
The pair were in a high speed pursuit of two armed criminals – Baker and Crump – travelling in a stolen car when Baker began firing shots at them from a .308 calibre rifle.
A bullet from the rifle shattered the police car windscreen, hitting Senior Constable Millward in the forehead.
Senior Constable Jones took his partner to hospital before rejoining the pursuit.
Baker and Crump were captured on the banks of the Paterson River at Woodville a few hours later after a dramatic shoot-out.
For his efforts, Mr Jones received a Queen’s Commendation for bravery and a Commissioner’s Commendation for his outstanding courage and devotion to duty.
This high profile case led Mr Jones to become a household name across the country.
But according to his family, Mr Jones was regularly having guns pointed at him by desperate criminals.
“He didn’t back down from a fight, he was a courageous guy,” Mr Jones’s son Mark said.
“There were other occasions he had guns pulled on him and the like and there was a bloke who he was trying to get into the cells who rammed his face into the lock on the door.
“He copped a few hidings but the interesting thing was, often we would be out somewhere and someone would come up and shake his hand and chat with him and when he left Dad would say ‘I locked him up once’.
“How he looked after people and the way he treated them made people like him regardless of what side of the law he was on – he was a fair and honest copper and well respected.”
Born on July 31, 1924, in Dudley, Mr Jones lived in Weston until he enlisted in the RAAF on November, 1942, as a leading aircraftman.
He fought in New Guinea and was discharged in April, 1948, before launching a 31-year career in the NSW police force.
Mr Jones was stationed in Sydney, Broken Hill and for the last 17 years of his service was a senior constable at Maitland.
After his retirement, Mr Jones worked at Tocal College as the afternoon supervisor for 15 years.
He married Margaret in Sydney in 1960 and had three children – Robyn, Bryan and Mark – and seven grandchildren.
Mr Jones’s daughter Robyn said her father had a lot to do with Maitland PCYC.
“He used to take drunk drivers home and young kids as well who were on the streets,” she said.
“There was a lot of respect for police back then and Dad wanted people to not dislike or fear the police.
“He had been shot at heaps of times and had a few close shaves but he wouldn’t tell you many stories because he didn’t like to brag.
“The big one was Baker and Crump, that’s what he got the bravery awards for, but he did heaps of other things that weren’t acknowledged.
“He was a good dad.”
Friends and family attended a moving funeral service at East Maitland Presbyterian on September 6.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1793502/obituary-george-william-jones/?cs
Rachael was a plain clothes constable performing proactive duties at Ermington, NSW.
Rachael suffered psychological injuries which were later declined by the insurer.
She slipped into a greater depression and subsequently died from a self inflicted gun shot wound from her own Service weapon, whilst On Duty, after she drove to Eric Primrose Reserve, Rydalmere.
A beautiful smile no longer shines, but her light lives on in the hearts of her loved ones and friends.
May Rachael forever Rest In Peace.
With regret I advise the death of Julie Rose WILD, 40 old, a Serving officer Regd. No. 32507 of the Surry Hills Command.
Julie passed away on 27/08/2013 and her funeral is proposed to be held at 1330Hrs on Tuesday 3 rd September at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 463 Oxford Street, PADDINGTON.
# # #
WILD JULIE ROSE August 27th 2013 Aged 40 Years Late of Warners Bay
Beloved daughter of ROGER and JOY. Loved sister of JOANNE and DAVID.
A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of JULIE will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 463 Oxford Street, Paddington on TUESDAY, September 3rd 2013 at 1.30pm.
HAMILTON FUNERALS 9449 5544
Published in:
Newcastle Herald, Saturday August 31, 2013
The Sydney Morning Herald on 31 August 2013
Sydney Morning Herald Guest Book:
“Good bye Julie, will miss you, had some good times with you…”
“Although I had not seen you for a long time, I am grateful…”
“Although I had not seen you for a long time, I am grateful…”
– See more at: http://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/smh-au/obituary.aspx?pid=166696560#fbLoggedOut
Rank: Training – commenced Monday 14 March 1983 ( aged 23 years, 5 months, 12 days )( 2 months, 20 days at Academy )
Probationary Constable – appointed 3 June 1983 ( aged 23 years, 8 months, 4 days )
Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 June 1988
Sergeant 2nd Class – Death
Stations: Wentworth ( 2 yrs ), Pooncarrie, Broken Hill HWP, Warilla HWP, Sutherland HWP, Liverpool, Wollongong G.D’s
Service: From 14 March 1983 to 24 August 2013 = 30+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 April 2001
Born: Wednesday 30 September 1959
Died on: Saturday 24 August 2013
Cause: Surgical Operation complication stemming from HOD Injuries
Age: 53 years, 10 months, 25 days
Funeral date: Friday 30 August 2013 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: Wollongong Church of Christ, O’Briens Rd, Figtree
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial: NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, D6 ( right wall )
NICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *BUT SHOULD BE
An application was made for Nick to be included on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra, and the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance, Sydney due to the fact that he died as a result of complications stemming from a medical operation in direct consequence to his Duty related Injuries. The Commissioner, Scipione, supported it but the Commander, Wollongong, at the time did NOT support the application and, to this day ( 22 March 2018. Rechecked 13 Jan 2021 – still doesn’t appear ), Nick only appears on the Police Force Service Memorial Wall at the Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills and NOT the Police Wall of Remembrance.
As an aside, his Widow IS receiving a Police Pension as the matter was considered H.O.D.
It is with the deepest and heartfelt sadness that I let you all know that another one of our Illawarra mates has passed on.
Nick Skomarow was a 54 year old Sergeant, currently stationed at Wollongong, who had a 14 hour operation on his neck 8 days ago ( Friday 16 August ) at Figtree Private Hospital whereby he had 3 or 4 vertebra removed due to old HOD injuries suffered whilst on operational duties with the HWP.
Around 9.30am this morning ( Saturday 24 August, 2013 ) Nick was found deceased in his hospital room. This is now a Coroners matter but it is believed that he may have suffered from a blood clot ( not confirmed ).
Nick was in “the job” for 30 years and was a bloody good bloke.
He had also been stationed at Sutherland, Broken Hill and Liverpool HWP at one stage.
On behalf of the troops still in “the job” and those of us now out of “the job”, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Nick and give our condolences to Nick’s wife, Coralie and their families.
Nick, may you forever Rest in Peace mate.
A Full Police Funeral will be held this coming Friday, 30 August, 2013, at 10.30am at Wollongong Church of Christ, O’Briens Rd, Figtree.
The family will then attend the Wollongong Crematorium for a committal service and the wake will be held at Wests Leagues Club, Unanderra.
* * *
SKOMAROW
Nicholas
(Nick)
of Cordeaux Heights
Taken from us too early on August 24, 2013. Adored and loving husband of Coralie.
Loving son of John and the late Tammy.
Adored father and father in law of Amanda, Aaron and Cassandra.
Much loved Poppo of Jayden. Loved brother of Victor and a dearly loved brother in law.
A much loved cousin, nephew and uncle, and a great friend and colleague to many.
Aged 53 Years
We will miss you
A special person, no one can replace.
Our memories of you will be treasured forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Nick’s funeral service to be held at Newday Church (Church Of Christ), O’Briens Road, Figtree on Friday at 10:30am. Following the service his funeral will proceed to the Main Chapel, Wollongong City Memorial Gardens Crematorium, Berkeley Road, Unanderra.
* * *
Photos taken by Retired SenCon Greg Callander (contact details at base of website). No copyrights attached to photos used by friends and family of Nick.
These photos are uploaded at 1.5meg but the originals are 35 meg each if anyone needs higher quality for printing etc. There are 140 photos:
Nick worked at Pooncarrie many moons ago and was instrumental in the arrest of Darryl Suckling for several murders of young women.
Daryl Suckling’s arrest in remote NSW in the late 1980s revealed his disturbing connections with the disappearance of Jodie Larcombe from Melbourne. Charged with the murder of Jodie, then a sex worker on St Kilda’s streets, Suckling was allowed to walk free, as police investigators struggled to prove a homicide without a body. He’d previously escaped conviction more than once after brutally abducting several women.
Frustrated by legal obstacles and bad luck, one officer resigned from the force in disgust, but the case was never forgotten and investigators closed in as Suckling stalked his next victim. The grisly murder linked St Kilda with the lonely, windswept sandhills of the NSW outback near Mildura, and brought two hardened policemen close to a brave family pushed to breaking point – in the end, it was too much for Jodie’s mother, who committed suicide when Suckling appealed his eventual conviction.
Suckling is now one of 15 prisoners serving life in NSW, never to be released.
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” Killing Jodie ” – How Australia’s most elusive murderer was brought to Justice was penned by Janet Fife-Yeomans and can be found here:
This book mentions Nick Skomarow numerous times.
Nick also had a boat, when he was stationed out at Broken Hill, called ‘ TJF ‘. This usually means ‘ The Job’s Fu*@ed ‘.
Posted
Vandals have desecrated 45 graves at Wollongong Cemetery on the New South Wales south coast.
Police say the graves in the old Wesley section of the cemetery have had their headstones smashed beyond repair. They are some of the cemetery’s oldest graves.
The damage bill is estimated at $100,000.
Acting Inspector Nick Skomarow says vandals attacked the graves on Wednesday night.
“Unknown persons have entered the Wollongong Cemetery on Kenny Street and during this time 45 marked graves located in the southern end of the cemetery had their headstones smashed beyond repair,” he said.
Acting Inspector Skomarow says police are appealing for information on those responsible for the attack.
“Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or may have information that may assist investigators in identifying those responsible for the damage to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers,” he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-01-16/grave-vandals-smash-45-headstones/267914
Uniform # 9444
Rank: Commenced Training at the Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 7 May 1984 ( aged 23 years, 7 months, 29 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 20 July 1984 ( aged 23 years, 10 months, 12 days )
Constable – appointed 30 August 1985 ( Loss of 40 days Seniority )
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Chief Inspector
Stations: Warilla, Albion Park, Wollongong ( 82 Division ), Illawarra LAC ( 79 Division ) – Death
Service: From 7 May 1984 to 16 August 2013 = 29 years, 3 months, 9 days Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 30 August 2000
Born: Thursday 8 September 1960
Died on: Friday 16 August 2013
Cause: Heart attack
Age: 52 years, 11 months, 8 days
Funeral date: 26 August 2013 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Wollongong Catholic Cathedral, Harbour St, Wollongong, NSW
Buried at: Kanahooka Lawn Cemetery, Kanahooka Rd, Kanahooka, NSW
GPS of Grave: Lat: -34.4880559530445 Long: 150.81964650639043
Memorial: NSW Police Force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, A29 ( left wall )
GRAEME is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT WORK RELATED
Death of Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly, 52 old around 11.30am, today, Friday 16 August 2013, who was riding his push bike with a mate around Lake Illawarra ( the actual lake ) this morning and was riding up Mt. Terry when he stopped and said to his mate that he didn’t feel well.
Whilst standing next to his bike, he suffered a massive heart attack.
An Off Duty passing Paramedic commenced CPR and called for assistance. Helicopter assistance was also considered and I am informed that the Paramedics worked on Graeme for a lengthy and extended period and was conveyed to Hospital under Police escort but, unfortunately, he never regained consciousness from the time he fell.
He was aged 52 and was a Chief Inspector ( for those who don’t know him ) and a really nice bloke.
May he forever Rest in Peace and look over the rest of us.
The funeral for Graeme will take place on Monday, 26 August, at 1.00pm at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Harbour Street Wollongong. Guest’s to be seated by 12.40pm.
I would expect this to be a big funeral with standing room only – out onto the street.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1724752/police-cyclists-mourn-loss-of-good-bloke/?cs=300
He was a highly respected policeman who sought relief from his demanding role as chief inspector in his passion for cycling.
Tributes have flowed for long-serving officer Graeme Donnelly, 52, who died of a heart attack while riding around Lake Illawarra last Friday.
Friend and cycling companion Wally Erven said Insp Donnelly loved cycling because it allowed him to de-stress.
“Being in the police force, it gave him a separation,” he said.
Insp Donnelly was the father of junior Australian cycling champion Aaron Donnelly – and Mr Erven said the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree.
“Aaron’s not a professional cyclist for no reason – it’s in his genes and he got that from his father.”
Wollongong acting superintendent Tim Beattie said the policing community had been shocked to learn of Insp Donnelly’s death.
Insp Donnelly spent his career based in Wollongong until about 12 months ago when he transferred to Sydney and was attached to a specialist police unit.
“Graeme was a highly respected member of the police force who performed a significant amount of his service in the Illawarra area,” Supt Beattie said. “He is regarded by all those who knew him as being a good bloke.”
A tribute has also been posted on the Cycling NSW website.
“His loss is greatly felt by the Illawarra Cycle Club and the NSW cycling community,” the statement read.
Insp Donnelly’s funeral will be held at Wollongong Catholic Cathedral, 36 Harbour Street, at 1pm on Monday.
He was one of a kind and his death will leave a hole in the life of his family, friends and the police force.
On Monday a sea of blue police uniforms surrounded an overflowing St Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral in Wollongong as officers paid their last respects to Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly.
Insp Donnelly, 52, died on August 16 after having a heart attack while riding around Lake Illawarra with friends.
Yesterday his cycling companions joined police colleagues and formed a guard of honour stretching from the cathedral along Harbour St.
Insp Donnelly’s colleague Peter Lindwall and friend Neil Foster gave a joint eulogy.
They described the high-ranking officer’s passion for the police force and his love for his wife Kerri and sons Aaron and Brad.
Mr Lindwall said the sheer number of fellow officers in attendance, including NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, was testament to how highly Insp Donnelly had been regarded in the community.
“He was a person no-one ever had a bad word to say about,” Mr Lindwall said.
He also made reference to Insp Donnelly’s previous career as a butcher and his skills behind a barbecue.
In a statement read at yesterday’s service, Aaron Donnelly said his father’s entire life had been dedicated to helping others.
“I don’t think there’s a person here who hasn’t been impacted by his kindness,” he said.
Mr Donnelly’s wife Kerri said her husband had been a “selfless” man who gave his time “to so many people”.
In a statement also read to the service, she recalled how proud he had been when his Brad announced he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer.
Mr Scipione also spoke at the service and posthumously awarded Insp Donnelly the National Police Service Medal.
– Domenic Geiger, Illawarra Mercury
Graeme Francis Donnelly (1960-2013) – Find A Grave Memorial
Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly – Photos from Illawarra Mercury
Photos by Greg Callander
Photos by Greg Callander
Photos by Greg Callander
Photos by Greg Callander
Graeme Donnelly – Funeral pamphlet – 27 Aug 2013
GRAVE OF GRAEME FRANCIS DONNELLY
GRAVE IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROAD, PAST THE NEW CRYPTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING BUILT WHICH ARE ALSO ON THE EAST AND TO THE NORTH OF THE OFFICE.
THE GRAVE IS ABOUT 3 – 4 ROWS BACK FROM THE ROADWAY AND FACES AWAY FROM THE ROADWAY.
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See https://police.freom.com/calendar/wollongong-v-lake-illawarra-lac-rugby-league-family-day/ re memorial Police football game to honour Graeme.
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Location of Grave: