Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot by Tony Leif Dolerud at Wynnum, Brisbane on 29 June 1989 while attending a serious domestic dispute in company of his partner Plain Clothes Constable ( Stephen ) Clarey ( 24 ).
Dolerud had earlier stabbed his wife in an argument and, as a friend tried to take her to safety, armed himself with a high powered rifle and began firing indiscriminately into the street.
Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot as he alighted from the police vehicle outside the man’s unit. Constable Clarey was also shot as he took shelter behind the police vehicle.
Dolerud later took his own life ( suicide ) after killing his two-year-old daughter. Four others were wounded.
On Monday 3 July 1989 Brett Handran’s family were joined by a large contingent of his colleagues including senior officers of the New South Wales, Victorian and Australian Federal Police Forces.
The Service was conducted at the Queensland Police Academy Chapel with full police honours.
BRISBANE: On the day that all the headlines were about the Fitzgerald report and its recommendations for massive changes to the Queensland police force, not many would have been thinking of Constable Brett Timothy Handran, 23, who was gunned down last Thursday when he went to investigate a domestic dispute.
His funeral was held an hour after the first embargoed copies of the Fitzgerald inquiry report were handed to state Cabinet and journalists yesterday.
More than 300 police and mourners attended the 10am service.
Constable Handran was shot through the heart at a block of welfare flats in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.
The man who shot him also killed a little girl and then himself.
Four people were injured, including another officer, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24.
The Minister for Police, Russell Cooper, told the congregation, “I express deep regret at the loss of a loved one and a fellow officer.”
Among the mourners were police representatives from NSW, Victoria and the ACT. The Queensland police contingent was headed by Acting Commissioner Ron Redmond.
Some officers at yesterday’s service could not hide their frustration over Constable Handran‘s death, at a time when police morale had taken a battering.
“If only people could accept that we are proud of our job,” one officer said. “You get abused when you hand out a traffic ticket, but there are a lot a crazies running around and it’s the police who are expected to bring them in.”
Constable Handran, a single father, was attached to the Juvenile Aid Bureau. He and Constable Clarey were in Wynnum on another police matter and were the first to respond to the emergency call.
Last week, as police gathered up their equipment and prepared to leave the scene of the Wynnum shootings, one officer said, “Constable Handran will be buried on Monday, the same day the Fitzgerald report is released. Guess which story will get the biggest headlines?”
BRISBANE: The Queensland Government has been criticised for not providing police with bullet-proof vests following a shooting in suburban Wynnum yesterday in which three people were killed.
A two-year-old girl and an unarmed policeman were shot dead outside a flat in Carmichael Court by a man who later turned a rifle on himself and committed suicide.
Police said the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute.
The Opposition spokesman on police affairs, Terry MacKenroth, said every police car in the state should have at least two vests in it to protect officers called to emergency situations such as yesterday’s siege.
“Mr. Cooper, along with every other Ahern Government minister, including Deputy Premier Bill Gunn and the Premier himself, must take the blame for the death of a young police officer today,” he said.
Liberal leader Angus Innes said the Government had promised two years ago to provide police with bullet-proof vests.
He said that it was only in June this year that 1400 bullet-proof vests for police had been finally approved.
“Police know that they are more likely to be killed attending a domestic disturbance than in any other area of police work,” Mr Innes said. .
“The minister for Police, Russell Cooper, said last night that he had ordered a meeting today with Acting Police Commissioner Don Braithwaite to investigate the incident.
“Police said a man, a woman and two children had gone to the Wynnum flat, occupied by the woman’s former de-facto husband, to collect some of the woman’s property.
Police believe an argument started, which resulted in the woman being stabbed several times in the back, chest and arm.
As she fled with her male companion the man in the flat fired a rifle from an upstairs bedroom window, wounding the man in the back.
Police said as the couple drove to a nearby doctor’s surgery for help, a woman neighbour apparently attempted to carry the injured woman’s two-year-old daughter to safety.
The gunman fired another shot from the bedroom window, killing the girl and injuring the woman.
They said two plain-clothed officers from the Juvenile Aid Bureau who were in the area went to investigate.
The gunman then opened fire on the officers as they left their car and 23-year-old Constable Brett Timothy Handran was shot in the back and later died in hospital.
His partner, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24, suffered a bullet graze to the head and was not expected to be detained in hospital overnight.
The woman, her male companion and the female neighbour were also being treated in hospital.
A police spokesman said when the Tactical Response Unit arrived, they were told an eight month-old baby boy was still in the flat with the gunman.
They forced entry through the kitchen and rescued the baby, who was crawling on the floor.
About 45 minutes later police again entered the flat and found the gunman dead in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.
A man with a baby in his arms runs from the siege area.
14.8 metre Norman R Wright and Sons fast patrol launch, triple diagonal planked hull with a dynel sheath. Powered by twin 420 hp Detroit 6v 92 series motors.
‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘
Brett T Handran II
BRETT T. HANDRAN II – 2009
The Brisbane based ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was delivered to the Queensland Police Service in March 2009.
Built at a cost of over $1m, and one of three similar vessels (‘W.CONROY V’, ‘LYLE M. HOEY IV’ ), the ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was built by Austral at their Margate shipyard just south of Hobart, Tasmania.
The ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ is a 22 metre aluminium catamaran powered by two MTU Series 60 diesel engines, each rated at 499kw, with Twin Disc Quickshift MGX-51355C gearboxes driving two Bruntons five-bladed fixed pitch propellers giving a maximum speed of 26 knots (cruise speed 20 knots) and a maximum range of approximately 900 nautical miles.
FROM THE VAULT – Star of Courage: Constable Robert Rodgers
Robert Rodgers joined the Queensland Police as Constable number 5904 on 10 October 1986. He served at the following stations: City; Mooroka; Brisbane Mobile Patrols; Inala, Brisbane CIB and Wynnum and retired on 7 February 1990.
On 29 June 1989Constable Robert Rodgers and Senior Constable Peter Edwards of the Wynnum Police, were told to attend an incident at Carmichael Court where a man was going berserk with a gun and where several persons had been shot, including Plain Clothes Constable Brett Handran. Rodgers and Edwards arrived at Carmichael Court, alighted from the vehicle and took cover. Constable Rogers ascertained from local residents the approximate location of the gunman and learned that a child and woman had been shot.
Constable Rogers found a position of safety close to the gunman’s location and communicated with the man to negotiate access to the wounded people. Without thought for his own safety, Constable Rogers successfully removed the child and woman from harm’s way. Constable Rodgers was awarded the Star of Courage on 18 April, 1991 for displayed conspicuous courage.
The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Only four Queensland Police officers have been in receipt of the Star of Courage since the award was established in February 1975.
Australian Bravery Decorations date from the establishment of the Australian honours system in. The Group Bravery Citation was added in 1990. The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. There are four levels of decoration:
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
The book – BRAVE, written by Mark Whittaker and first published in 2011 by Pan MacMillan Australia P/L also goes into further detail about this event.
William RAYMOND
08/08/2017
William RAYMOND
AKA – William MILLER ( Surname of his Step Father – John Miller )
Late of Berrima, NSW
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
( No find under RAYMOND, nor MILLER, in the Police Service Registers 1852 – 1913 )
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Sydney Metropolitan District – Death
Service: From 3 June 1862to 14 April 1866=3+years Service
At the time of his death Constable Raymond, Senior Sergeant John Healey ( # ‘P’20 ), and Constables Andrew Kilpatrick ( # ‘P’ 54 ) and Edward Mitchell ( # ‘P’1215 ) were escorting eleven prisoners to Darlinghurst Gaol where they were to help with building works. When the wagon in which they were travelling reached Bargo Brush (now Pheasant’s Nest) the prisoners attacked their escort in an escape bid. In the ensuing brawl one of the prisoners (James Crookwell) managed to seize a police revolver. He fired at Sergeant Healey however the bullet struck Constable Raymond in the face, killing him instantly. The constable’s first name is sometimes recorded as Edward.
On 20 April, 1866 an official inquiry into the “murderous assault by prisoners on the police under whose charge they were being brought from Berrima Gaol to Sydney” took place at Darlinghurst Gaol, before Captain Cloete, the Water Police Magistrate. In evidence, Senior Sergeant Healey gave an intimate account of the circumstances of the murder.
“We were proceeding towards Sydney, and about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when within about ten miles from Picton I heard a shout in the coach, and at the same moment I was seized from behind by both shoulders by two men; I made a spring forward and fell off the coach; I jumped up and went round to the near side of the coach; I saw prisoners Weaver, Slattery, and Lee take hold of Constable Mitchell; they were trying to wrest his arms from him; they were all standing up in the coach; prisoners Berriman, Crookwell and Owens had hold of Constable Kilpatrick on the same side of the coach, but at the back seat; they were trying to wrest his carbine from him; Crookwell had hold of his throat; Berriman and Owens had hold of his carbine; the prisoner Forster, was standing up in the centre of the coach; I presented my rifle, and told the prisoners if they did not let go I would fire; they did not let go; I pulled the trigger, and the cap snapped; I then seized my rifle by the barrel and made a blow at Smith, who was still struggling with Mitchell ; I hit the coach, and broke the stock of the rifle; I then saw most of the prisoners rush to the off side of the coach; I was still on the near side; when I got round I saw that Constable Raymond had got out of the coach and was standing alongside it; when I got up to the coach, I looked in and saw Crookwell with a revolver in his right hand, and holding Kilpatrick’s throat with his left hand; I said to him, “Put down that revolver, or I’ll blow your brains out”; prisoner Lee was shouting out to the others, “Shoot the b-s’. Weaver cried out, “Shoot the b–sergeant;” Berriman was shouting out, “Fire, fire;”‘ directly I said to Crookwell I would blow his brains out, he turned round and said to me, “you b-,” at the same moment he fired; Raymond was standing in front of me, between me and the horses; and Crookwell was standing at the back part of the coach’; I heard something like a bullet pass me, and I immediately fired; I think I hit Slattery; as soon as the shot had been fired by Crookwell, I saw the blood gush from Raymond’s nose; Raymond turned half round and fell on his face.
At this time Constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick were both struggling with prisoners in the coach; I then saw Owens had got out of the coach and was running away; I followed him, and called upon him to stand; he refused; I fired; he immediately fell down and rolled over, and cried out, ” I’m shot, for God’s sake do not fire any more.”; I did not fire again; I went up to him and brought him back to the coach; when I got back to the coach, Mitchell and Kilpatrick had got out, and were standing by the side of the coach; Crookwell was holding up a revolver, and cried out twice, “I surrender”. Several of the prisoners also cried out that they would surrender; I did not hear any other shots fired; I made Owens get into the coach, and handcuffed himself; I noticed blood was coming from Slattery and Bland; two or three civilians then came up, one of whom was a clergyman, who assisted Mr. Whatmore to put the body of Raymond, in the boot of the coach; Raymond, up to this time, had not moved from the place where he had fallen”.
The constable was born in 1838 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 June, 1862. At the time of his death he was stationed in the Sydney Metropolitan District.
Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1875),
Tuesday 17 April 1866, page 1
RAYMOND — On the 14th April, on the Southern Road, near Picton, from a gun-shot wound, inflicted by a prisoner while under escort, William Raymond, aged 28 years, a constable of the New South Wales police force, a native of Bishops-gate, London, England.
EXAMINATION OF FIVE PRISONERS AS BEING ACCESSORY TO THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE RAYMOND.
Our readers will remember that eleven prisoners were concerned in the desperate ? ( fight ) at Bargo Brush on Saturday last.
One of those, James Crookwell, was committed, on Monday, by the Coroner, at Picton to take, his trial at the next assizes for the murder of Constable Raymond. Three of the prisoners were wounded, Smith in the elbow, when attempting to snatch the revolver from sergeant Zglenitski ; Slattery near the kidney, when in the act of biting constable Mitchell‘s nose, and attempting to deprive him of his firearms ; and Bland was shot in the side and arm while trying to seize constable Mitchell’s rifle. These three prisoners are in the gaol hospital, and were not in a condition to be removed, Bland being in a somewhat precarious state. Hindmarsh and Webster, who do not appear to have taken any conspicuous part in the assault, will most likely be called by the Crown for the prosecution.
The remaining five prisoners were placed under examination yesterday, in the upper room of the debtors’ prison, Darlinghurst gaol, before the Water Police Magistrate, Captain Cloete.
The names of the prisoners are John Foster, William Lee, Henry Weaver, Thomas Berriman, and John Owens. They were brought into the room in the order named, in prison dress, and leg-ironed.
Foster is a strong young man, of about 24 years of age, and has a determined look about him. Lee, who acted as spokesman, is about, an inch taller than Foster, being 5 feet 7, aged 38, and apparently very familiar with gaols, and the customary preliminaries to them. Weaver is young, sulky, tall, and such a man as can be easily persuaded to anything. Berriman is a little compact, swarthy young man about 28 years of age. Owens is something like Foster, but more intelligent. These five, of themselves, appear almost a match for the escort whom they assaulted.
They were formally charged by senior-sergeant Healey, of the Berrima police, with being accessories to the murder of the late constable Raymond, near Bargo Brush, on Saturday, the 14th April instant.
Prisoner Lee : Your Worship, may I address you before anything further is stated? will you order all the witnesses out of court ? and I should like a piece of paper and a pencil to take notes.
The Magistrate said he would comply with the request, and the prisoner was supplied with paper and pencil.
Mr Williams, Crown Solicitor, then conducted the examination, as follows:-
John Healy deposed: I am a senior sergeant of police, stationed at Berrima.
I left Berrima about 9 o’clock on Saturday morning last, having previously attended the gaol at Berrima, and received in custody eleven prisoners, to be escorted from Berrima to Darlinghurst gaol, Sydney.
The names of the prisoners were, William Lee, Thomas Berriman, John Foster, Henry Weaver, John Owens, Michael Slattery, Hindmarsh, Crookwell, Bland, Smith, and Webster.
The five prisoners now before the Court were among them.
I had with me constables Kilpatrick, Mitchell, and Raymond.
The prisoners were placed in one of Cobb’s coaches, outside the gaol door. The three constables, myself, the driver, and a Mr Whatmore accompanied the coach. I sat on the left of Mr Whatmore, who sat next to the coach driver on the box. Constable Mitchell was placed with his back towards the box, on the near side of the first seat, there being four seats inside the Coach, Constable Raymond was on one of the centre seats on the off side facing the box. Constable Kilpatrick was on the oft, or back seat, facing Mitchell, but two seats between them.
Constable Raymond, Mitchell and myself, were armed with breach loading rifles and revolvers. Constable Kilpatrick had a small carbine and revolver, all were loaded. In this way we proceeded towards Sydney.
When about ten miles from Picton, and at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, I heard a cry like ” Hurrah ” in the conch. At the same moment I was seized from behind by both shoulders. The cry seemed to be a general cry. When I found hands forcibly upon me and an effort made to pull me back, I sprang forward, and jumped off the coach, and fell.
On recovering, I went round the near side of the coach. I then saw the prisoners Weaver, Smith, Lee, Slattery, and I think Bland surrounding and struggling with constable Mitchell. They were trying to wrest his firearms from him. They were all standing up in a cluster round him in the coach, Berriman, Crookwell and Owens, I saw had hold of constable Kilpatrick : he was on the back seat of the coach, on the same side. They were trying to wrest his carbine from him. Crookwell had hold of Kilpatrick‘s throat ; Berriman and Owens had hold of his carbine. Foster was standing up in the centre of the coach. I did not see him do anything. I did not then see constable Raymond. I was standing on the near side of the coach, with my back to the horses, and presented my revolver, and said to the prisoners Crookwell, Owens and Berriman, if they did not let go I would fire. I pulled the trigger of my rifle and the cap snapped. I then seized it by the barrel, and in striking at Smith, the stock caught the frame of the coach and broke the rifle. I saw the main body of the prisoners rush to the off-side of the coach. When I got round to face them, I then saw that constable Raymond had got out ; he had stumbled and was standing facing the coach near the hind wheel. When I came to Raymond I saw Crookwell with a revolver in his right hand. He had hold of constable Kilpatrick‘s throat with his left. I said to him ” Put down that revolver, or I’ll blow your brains out.” Prisoner Lee was hallowing out: ” Shoot the b—gers. ” Weaver cried out, ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant, ” Berriman cried out, ” Fire ! fire ! ” Directly I said to Crookwell, put down that revolver, or I’ll blow your brains out, ” he turned partly round presented the revolver towards me saying, ” You b–ger, ” at the same time firing.
At this time constable Raymond was on my right. I was between Crookwell and Raymond. I saw the explosion, and felt the lead ball whiz past my face. I returned the fire instantly with my revolver, and I believe I hit Slattery. As soon as Crookwell fired I saw the blood rushing from Raymond’s nose. He wheeled round, and tell forward, dead.
At this time the prisoners were still struggling with constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick, I observed Owens jump from the other side of the coach and run away. I followed, and told him to stand. He did not, and I fired. He immediately fell on his face on the road, and cried out ” I’m shot, for God’s sake don’t fire any more. ” I went up to him and brought him back to the coach. He was not shot.
When I got back to the coach constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick had got out of the coach. I noticed Crookwell holding up the revolver, and heard him crying out ” I surrender ! ” Several of the other prisoners were also calling out ” I surrender !” I could not tell whether any other shots were fired at this time.
I made Owens get into the coach and handcuff himself, and also the other prisoners we’re made to re-seat themselves. I then observed blood coming from Slattery and Bland. Two or three civilians came up then, one was a clergyman and they assisted Mr Whatmore and the driver to lift the body of constable Raymond on the Boot of the coach.
Raymond had never moved from the time he was shot.
After we had got Raymond on the boot of the coach, we three Constables, walked by the side of the coach until we came within about six miles of Picton, when we were met by the sergeant and a constable from the Picton police;
We proceeded on to Picton, secured the prisoners in the watch-house, and placed the body of constable William Raymond in the courthouse. He was quite dead.
When I jumped off the coach and recovered myself, I saw Hindmarsh holding up one hand and saying ” I have nothing to do with this. ” I saw Webster standing up in the coach; So far as I saw, Webster was quiet.
When we left Berrima the prisoners were handcuffed by one hand to a chain, and had leg-irons on. I produced the transmission warrant for the removal of the prisoners from Berrima to Darlinghurst. I handed this warrant over with the prisoners at Picton.
The shot that Crookwell fired was shot in the direction of Raymond.
The prisoners declined to ask any questions.
Andrew Kilpatrick deposed: I am a constable stationed at Berrima. On the 14th April I went to Berrima gaol, in company with senior-sergeant Healey and two other constables. The sergeant received charge of eleven prisoners. The five prisoners now before the Court were of that number. The sergeant was sitting on the box. I and the other constables were inside the coach. I sat on the back seat, Raymond in the centre, and Mitchell on the front seat.
When we came to within three miles of the Bargo River, On the Sydney side of Anderson’s public-house, a prisoner named Crookwell, sitting by my side, gave a shout, saying, ” Now, give it to the b–gers. ” Crookwell seized hold of my carbine, as did also prisoners Berriman and Owens, and endeavoured to wrest it from me. Crookwell then let go, and seized my revolver from the case at my waist belt.
Senior sergeant Healy came round to my side, and I shouted for him to shoot this fellow Crookwell. At this time Crookwell had just got the revolver. The other two had hold of my carbine. The sergeant presented his rifle at Crookwell, and it missed fire. He then clubbed the rifle, made a blow but struck an iron bar in the coach. He ( Healey ) then ran to the other side of the coach, at the same time drawing his revolver. Just as he got round, constable Raymond had just got a fall from a stumbling of the coach. As Raymond was straightening himself up, the sergeant came between him and Crookwell, and told Crookwell to put down the revolver. Crookwell made use of some savage expressions and fired. I saw Raymond fall and observed the blood gashing from his nose. It was with my revolver Crookwell shot him. The sergeant immediately fired in return. I cannot say which prisoner was struck, but one was. After Crookwell fired he turned to me and said ” If you don’t leave go of the carbine I’ll shoot you. ” I said, ” Shoot way. I’ll not let go. ”
He snapped the revolver at breast. As it did not explode he struck my right hand with the revolver. I then jumped out of the coach with my carbine, when I saw sergeant bringing Owens back. I could not see how constable Mitchell was getting on. When the sergeant brought Owens back, the prisoners all called ” Surrender ! we surrender ! ” and sat down in the coach, when the sergeant ordered them to put on the handcuffs. The sergeant and myself were in uniform at the time. I only observed Crookwell and Owens had been un-handcuffed. Could not say whether any of the others had been un-handcuffed.
Crookwell, Owens, Berriman and Weaver, were particularly active about me and and tried to disarm me. I heard Weaver call out ” Shoot the sergeant. “. This was when Crookwell had the revolver. Slattery also called out ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant. ”
The prisoners appeared to me to be acting in concert, and for the general purpose of effecting their escape.
When Slattery called out ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant, ” it was after Raymond had been shot by Crookwell.
I saw the body of Raymond afterwards. It was quite dead.
Prisoner Lee: Your Worship, I think it is stepping a little beyond the bounds of justice for the gentlemen prosecuting to be whispering to the sergeant who has given his evidence. I know that gentleman is conducting the case for the Crown, and he will take care to get out enough from the respective witnesses when under examination.
Mr Williams said he was asking no question but such as was proper, and taken no unfair advantage.
Mr Cloete: I will see that no injustice is done you. The prisoners declined to ask any questions.
Edward W. Mitchell; deposed: I am a mounted constable, stationed at Berrima, and formed one of an escort from Berrima to Sydney, in charge of senior sergeant Healey. The prisoners were Foster, Lee, Bland, Smith, Weaver, Slattery, Hindmarsh, Berriman, Webster, Crookwell and Owners. We were all in of Cobb and Co.’s coaches, the sergeant on the box. I, Raymond and Mitchell were inside the coach. I sat with my back to the box with two prisoners on my left. Raymond was on the third seat on my left front, with three prisoners on his left. Kilpatrick was on the fourth seat, facing me, with two prisoners on his right. Crookwell sat next to Kilpatrick.
When about 400 yards on the Sydney side of Anderson’s public-house; the prisoners made a sudden rush ; some stood up. I saw two of the prisoners jump up and put their hands above the cloth covering of the coach, and seized the sergeant and endeavoured to pull him backward into the coach. Slattery and Weaver were the two men.
The sergeant got away from them. Simultaneously with seizing the sergeant, three of the prisoners seized me. Foster, Lee and Smith seized me. Smith caught me by the throat. Foster endeavoured to force me back, as nears as I can recollect, by throwing his body on me. Lee took hold of the rifle and endeavoured to disarm me. While I was struggling with these prisoners, I saw sergeant Healey coming round the side of the coach. He covered Smith and Lee with his rifle. I heard the cap snap, and the butt of the rifle swing against the coach.
A minute or so after I said ” By G—, if you don’t let go, I’ll fire ! ” They did not let go, and I fired. The rifle was pointed towards the prisoner, Bland, who, at this time, had hold of the rifle, with the others. Bland was wounded on the side and arm by the contents of my rifle. Immediately after this I was seized by the prisoners Weaver and Slattery. Slattery seized me by the throat, and by the hair of my head, and got my nose to his mouth when at that moment, he received a ? and staggered back. Weaver caught me by the body ? ? maintained hold of the rifle. While I was struggling with the remaining three, Foster took hold of my left arm, and endeavoured to pull it away from the pouch which contained my revolver. I was holding and covering my revolver pouch. Lee and Smith made an effort to pull the revolver out of the pouch, but they did not succeed.
About half a minute after Slattery was shot, I heard a remark that some one was wounded. A number of them then called out ” We’ll surrender. ” I was so occupied with the prisoners near me that I could not see what constable Raymond was doing. I just caught a glimpse of Owen escaping from the hind wheel of the coach. I did not notice Hindmarsh, nor Webster; they were away from me. After they called out ” We’ll surrender, ” I got out of the coach, and ran round to the other side, when I there saw constable Raymond lying dead on his face. I observed a gunshot wound on the left side of his nose, just below the eye. I immediately re-loaded my rifle.
The body of constable Raymond was put on the footboard. The prisoners were secured in the coach. We proceeded to Picton and on the way met Senior sergeant Zglenitski, and another constable.
We placed the prisoners in the Picton watch house, and the body of constable Raymond in the Court house. The prisoners were secured at Berrima on a marching chain by handcuffs, and each was leg ironed. The only man I saw free from the chain was Owens. In this attempt to escape the prisoners to me appeared to act in concert, as if they were one man. The prisoners declined to ask questions.
Police sergeant Zglenitski and two other witnesses having to be examined, the further hearing of the case was adjourned until Monday, 30th Instant, at 2 o’clock. o’clock.
The official inquiry into the charge brought by sergeant Healey against Hugh M. Bland and Michael Slattery, of being accessories to the murder of constable William Raymond, near Bargo Brush, on the 11th of April last, was resumed before the Water Police Magistrate, Mr Cloete, in the debtors’ prison at Darlinghurst Gaol, yesterday afternoon.
The inquiry into the case against these two prisoners was commenced at the same place on Monday last, and the evidence taken on that occasion was reported in our issue of yesterday. The remainder of the evidence was taken yesterday and both prisoners were committed for trial. The evidence given was as follows:-
John Frederick Webster, alias Timothy Fuller, a prisoner under sentence, was called and said I was one of the eleven prisoners removed from Berrima gaol to Darlinghurst gaol, under charge of senior sergeant Healey, on the 14th April last , the names of the other prisoners were, James Crookwell, Thomas Berriman, William Lee, Peter Hindmarsh, John Owen, Henry Weaver, John Foster, Michael Slattery, James Smith, and Hugh Montgomery Bland ; I was an assistant warder in Berrima gaol, and on the 14th I was called out of the yard and ironed in the presence of the gaoler, thence I was taken back to my cell, and after breakfast brought out and searched , the other prisoners were then ironed and on the chain , I was also handcuffed to the chain , we were marched out and placed in Cobb’s coach ; there were three policemen beside the sergeant in charge of us, and another young man accompanied us, after going a few miles the coach stopped, and the young man took the fourth horse back to Berrima ; we then went on to Rush’s, and thence, after changing horses, to Bargo, where we again changed horses, we were there ordered out of the coach, and marched into a little yard to get our dinner ; while we were at dinner (which was brought to us by the police), I observed Crookwell, Owen, Berriman, and Smith, with two handcuff keys, and they were trying their handcuffs. Berriman produced one of the keys I don’t know who brought the other. I heard Crookwell and Owen say they could undo their handcuffs. Smith said they were going to rush the police, to choke them, and take their arms from them, and then to make their escape, both he and Crookwell asked me if I would take part in the rush ; I said ” no, I have only twenty months to do, but if I had twenty years to do I would not join you ” ; Smith then called me ” bl–dy dog ” and coward, and threatened to rip me open if I spoke one word, at this time he had a double bladed clasp knife in his hand cutting some bread and meat, I told him I would not have anything to do with it, and I never spoke one word afterwards ; Crookwell afterwards said, addressing Forster, Slattery, and Weaver, ” how is it going to be? ” they said they would be willing the first chance they got after they were in the coach again ; Crookwell, addressing Slattery, asked, ” Is Bland going to be in it ?” Slattery replied that it was no use to ask him, as he had only six weeks to serve, and therefore it was not likely he would join them ; I heard Lee ask Bland if he would be one to rush the police and take their arms from them, and he replied, ” No, he would not on any consideration,” and he should be a free man in six weeks’ time. Crookwell then asked Berriman and Owen, if they knew which of the police they were to assist in taking the arms from, and Owen said, ” I know the man I have to choke. ” Berriman said “You choke him and I’ll take his revolver, and Slattery added, ” I’ll take his rifle. The whole of the prisoners heard what was going on ; Foster said he would make one to pull the Sergeant in off the box of the coach. Lee said, “I will make another” Smith said he would choke the man sitting on the front seat of the coach and take his arms from him ; Hindmarsh said he would assist Crookwell all he could ; Weaver said he would assist in holding the Sergeant down in the coach ; we were about three quarters of an hour in the yard, the sergeant and one of the the police were about eight yards from us in a little shed ; another constable was behind us, the other side of a water hole, and the fourth in front of us near the fence, between four and five yards from us ; I heard Crookwell, Slattery, and Smith, ask the sergeant if he would be kind enough to allow them to take their coats off and he consenting they were taken off ; after this we got into the coach and started on our journey ; we were sitting in the coach the same as before, with the exception of Lee and Foster, who exchanged seats ; we proceeded for about three or four miles on the road, when on turning my head round I saw Crookwell and Owen ; Crookwell was pointing to the near side of the coach, and calling constable Kilpatrick’s attention to something while Owen was taking his handcuffs off with a handcuff key ; I then saw Owen try Crookwell’s handcuffs ; I turned my eye towards the front of the coach and felt the chain to which we were ironed fall quite slack ; I saw John Owen standing up in the coach ; all of a sudden he whipped his arms around the neck of the constable who was afterwards shot, and sang out ” Now then, Tommy and Jimmy ;” Berriman instantly made a snatch at the constable’s revolver, and I tried to stop him ; I struck him and tried to keep his hands off ; Slattery, who was sitting in front of the constable who was afterwards shot caught hold of him to pull him towards him, and tried to get hold of his rifle, but the constable held his rifle at arms length outside the coach, and Slattery could not got hold of it ; at this time I had hold of Berriman with my right hand, and received a blow under the ear – I don’t know who struck me – I was knocked down in the body of the coach ; the policeman got away from Berriman, Owen, and Slattery, and got out of the coach ; when he got on the ground he held his rifle, pointing it towards Crookwell, and said if they did not surrender he would fire at them ; the sergeant stood alongside of him some few feet apart ; the constable was nearer the hinder part of the coach and somewhat behind the sergeant ; I turned my head and saw Crookwell and Hindmarsh struggling with a constable who sat on the hinder part of the coach ; Crookwell had hold of the constable’s revolver, trying to pull it out of his hand ; Hindmarsh had hold of one of the constables legs ; I heard Lee and Smith sing out, ” Shoot the —– sergeant first ; I recognised their voices ; I looked round and saw the sergeant with a rifle in his hand, and he was pointing it towards Crookwell ; he ordered the men to surrender, or he would shoot them ; Hindmarsh, whose chain I had hold of, struck me on the head, and threatened to kill me ; I then let go his chain ; Crookwell, having got possession of the constable’s pistol, pointed it at the sergeant, and said, ” You b—– b——, I’ll shoot you ;” I saw Crookwell fire a shot in the direction of the sergeant, and I saw the policeman who had got out of the coach fall the moment the shot was fired. The sergeant snapped his carbine at Crookwell, and then he ( the sergeant ) rushed upon the side of the oath, but I, being crushed down by the prisoners, did not to what he did ; when I got up, I saw too sergeant away from the coach, and I heard him shout out, ” Stand, or I’ll fire ; ” at this time Owen was running away towards the Bargo River ; the sergeant fired, and Owen fell, saying he was shot ; I heard some other shots fired — one, I believe, inside the coach on the off side ; before Crookwell fired the shot, Smith, Slattery, and Weaver had hold of one of the police, and were trying to get his arms from him ; they were also trying to throw him over the side of the coach ; he sung out to them to let go, or he would shoot some of them ; one shot was fired, and I saw Bland fall, before he was shot he was sitting in the front of the coach, on the off side ; before he was shot, he said ” oh my God, sergeant, don’t shoot me ;” Bland was not interfering in any way in this matter ; shortly after Bland was that I heard the sergeant sing out ” surrender, ” I will shoot you ; when the sergeant caught Owen, be brought him back and put him into the coach, when Slattery, Smith, and Weavers were struggling with the constable I heard Slattery say ” I’ll bite your bl–dy nose off ;” just before Owen was put back into the coach, and immediately after Slattery had threatened to bite the constable’s nose off, a shot was fired which wounded Slattery ; Slattery sung out ” I am shot ;” sergeant Healey said ” then will you surrender ;” Slattery replied ” yes.” Crookwell said it was no use trying any more, it was better to surrender – he had done his best ; Smith said ” we may as well try again, they can do nothing but hang us. ”
Bland said, ” My God, men, keep quiet, ” and immediately he fell back in a faint ; I heard Smith and Lee sing out during the affray to shoot the sergeant ; I wish to mention that at the first commencement of the row Foster, Weaver, and Lee made a snatch at the sergeant, and tore his coat, but he just pod oil and ran round to the near side of the coach ; I held up my hand to him, and said, ” Sergeant, for God’s sake, don t shoot me, for I have nothing to do with it ; ” it was then that I received a blow on my head ; after the row I saw a clergyman and an elderly gentleman come and assist to put the body of the dead constable into the boot of the coach ; when we proceeded on our journey the sergeant and the two constables walked by the side of the coach ; when we were on our way Smith, Lee, and Weaver said, ” The sergeant shot the constable himself ;” shortly afterwards we were met by a sergeant and policemen from Picton, who joined our escort ; Bland was calling for water, and one of the constables brought some in my hat ; after being met by the other sergeant and constable, Lee and Smith called to them to bring some water for Bland, and the sergeant who came from Picton said, ” As soon as I can get water he shall have some. ” Smith said, ” I know you, you b—dy dog, if I could get hold of you I would give you water ;” Smith had one leg out of the coach, and he made a snatch at the sergeants revolver, and the sergeant jumped back ; the sergeant told him if he did not stop in the coach he would shoot him ; he came up again and Smith made a second attempt to got hold of the revolver, and immediately upon the attempt being made the sergeant fired and shot him in the arm ; at the same time Lee tried to get out of the coach on the other side, and the constable who came from Picton, cocked his gun, and told him to sit down ; Lee said he could not sit down, but he said, if he could got held of that gun he would make him sit down ; after getting to Picton and being placed in the lock-up, Owen, Berriman, Lee and Smith, wanted to choke me, saying that I would be an informer, but Hindmarsh, Weaver and Foster said they would not have time as the police would on top of them, and it would only make matters worse.
By the Water Police Magistrate ; It was after the policeman was shot that Bland was shot ; I could see Bland all the time the row was going on ; he remained sitting until a little before he was shot.
By the prisoner Bland ; I should think it was between two and three minutes after the constable was shot before you were shot. I did not hear you make use of an expression to the police, except this, ” For Gods sake, sergeant, don’t shoot me. ” I can swear you did not say ” Shoot the —- sergeant ;” you were shot after the struggle occurred between Kilpatrick, Lee, and Slattery ; it was impossible for Kilpatrick to see you while the struggle was going on.
By the prisoner Slattery ; I have travelled that road with a dray, and also under escort before ; I made my escape from the police on that road, and after being out of the way for three years I was arrested on another charge and sentenced to seven years hard labour on the roads.
The Water Police Magistrate cautioned the prisoners in the usual way as to anything that they might say, but both declined to say anything. Mr Cloete said he had not the slightest hesitation in regard to Slattery, but with reference to Bland, the only evidence against him was that by constable Kilpatrick, who stated that he heard this prisoner say ” Shoot the sergeant. ” Under all the circumstances, he was of opinion that the constable had made a mistake ; but that was a matter entirely for a jury. He should, therefore, commit both prisoners for trial Both prisoners were then committed for trial at the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court, and the proceedings terminated.
This poor bugger was exhumed to prove he was shot by the criminal and not by an offsider.
THE BARGO BRUSH MURDER. — EXHUMATION OF CONSTABLE RAYMOND’S BODY.
It may be remembered by most of our readers that Crookwell, and Slattery in particular, when sentence of death was being passed upon them, and four others, stoutly denied that a revolver bullet killed Raymond, but that it was a ball from senior-sergeant Healey’s rifle that killed him.
This was a point of material importance as regarded the death of Raymond, because several witnesses for the Crown swore he was shot by Crookwell with a revolver, while the prisoners in concert avowed that he was killed by Henley’s rifle.
Yesterday forenoon Dr. Aaron, and Dr. Scouler, of Picton, who first examined the body, were commissioned by the Attorney-General to exhume the body from the grave in the Newtown Cemetery, to examine the ball, and to give a written report whether that ball belonged to a rifle or to a revolver.
Drs. Scouler, and Aaron, accompanied by an inspector of police, and Mr. Fosberry, chief clerk to the Inspector-General, had the body taken up, and the examination conducted with much care.
They first examined the skull, but before any opening was effected, Dr. Scouler was permitted to again place his finger in the wound, at the end of which the bullet was expected to be lodged.
The fleshy integuments were found to be severed, and decomposed; but Dr. Scouler pulled out a large piece of flattened lead, altered from its assumed original shape by coming in contact with a bone of the skull near the right temple.
From the external wound nothing could be gathered, and it was therefore decided to open the skull. Beside the first piece of lead two other smaller pieces were now discovered, and the doctors had to resort to medical scales and weights to decide as to the size of the bullet.
They found that, judging from its weight, the bullet had been fired from a revolver; that a portion of the lead had a groove mark upon it; and that the barrel of the carbine used by senior-sergeant Healey had no groove, but that the revolver taken from constable Kilpatrick, and used by Crookwell, was grooved.
The lead taken from Raymond’s skull was weighed to half a grain in very nice scales, sealed up in an envelope, and handed to the Crown Solicitor.
So far as the medical testimony is concerned, it is against the prisoners and in favour of the police.
A transcript of his Death Certificate:
NSW DEATH REGISTRATION TRANSCRIPTION
REF NO -1866/6230
NAME:- WILLIAM RAYMOND
DATE OF DEATH:- 14/4/1866
PLACE:- BARGO NSW
OCCUPATION:- CONSTABLE
SEX:- MALE
AGE:- 28
PLACE OF BIRTH:- BISHOPS GATE, LONDON, ENGLAND
TIME IN AUSTRALIA COLONIES:- ABOUT 16 YEARS IN NSW
FATHER:- WILLIAM RAYMOND
OCCUPATION:- TAILOR
MOTHER:- HARRIET BIRD
PLACE OF MARRIAGE:- UNMARRIED
AGE AT MARRIAGE:-
NAME OF SPOUSE:-
CHILDREN OF MARRIAGE:-
INFORMANT:- J W ANTILL, JP, CORONER:- JARVIS FIELD
CAUSE OF DEATH:- CORONER’S VERDICT:- WILFULLY MURDERED BY BEING SHOT IN THE HEAD
LENGTH OF ILLNESS:- SUDDEN DEATH
MEDICAL ATTENDANT:- NONE
DATE LAST SEEN:-
DATE OF BURIAL:- 16 Apr 1866
PLACE OF BURIAL:- CAMPERDOWN
MINISTER:- REV THOMAS SMITH, CHURCH OF ENGLAND
WITNESSES:- HENRY SYKES & JOSEPH NINESS
Presumed to have come out to Australia about 1850 with his mother, Harriet, who had married John Miller in London in 1850. He would then have been about 9 or 10 years old. However, no shipping record found. Date of arrival consistent with stated time in colony of NSW in death registration.
And a newspaper item that I don’t think you have that includes a notice from probably his mother. His step father, John Miller, was a Merchant Seaman and probably had died by then. But we’ve never found a record of his death. I assume that’s why he isn’t mentioned in the death notice. His natural father, also William Raymond, died in London a couple of months after he ( son ) was born and his mother then married John Miller in London in 1850. So until he was about 12 he grew up in London with a single mum. Must have been hard on them both.
Sydney Mail 21 Apr 1866
DEATHS
MILLER – April 14th, on the Southern Rd, near Picton, from a gunshot wound inflicted by a prisoner while under escort, William Raymond, aged 28 years, a constable of the New South Wales Police Force, and the beloved son of Mrs Miller, of Brisbane-street, Glebe, beloved and regretted by a large circle of friends.
RAYMOND – April 14th, on the Southern Rd, near Picton, from a gun-shot wound inflicted by a prisoner while under escort, William Raymond, aged 28 years, a constable of the New South Wales Police Force, a native of Bishopsgate, London, England. London papers please copy.
THE LATE CONSTABLE RAYMOND’S FUNERAL. —The remains of the late constable Raymond, who was shot by a prisoner at Bargo Brush on Saturday, were removed from the police depot, Sydney, to their last resting place, Newtown Cemetery, on Monday afternoon.
The relatives of deceased followed the hearse in mourning coaches, and coaches were also provided for intimate friends of the deceased’s parents.
About one hundred policemen, in full dress uniform, formed the procession, and the cortege moved slowly on to the place of interment.
The Rev. Thomas Smith, of St Barnabas’, officiated, and delivered an oration, over the grave of deceased.
The procession then returned to the police depot and separated.
13800
BN13845
Raymond
William
14 Apr 1866
28
6230/1866
Brett FORTE
08/08/2017
Brett Andrew FORTE
Husband of Serving QPS Member – Susan
Son of Retired QPS Member – Stuart
Late of ?
Queensland Police Service
Regd. # ?????
Rank: Senior Constable
Stations: ?, Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad – Death
Service: From? ? ? to 29 May 2017= ? years Service
Awards: Commendation for Brave Conduct (posthumous), granted on 14th of March, 2018
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: Monday 29 May 2017
Age: ?
Cause: Shot – Murdered – Semi Auto gun fire – Violent Traffic Offender Stop
Event location: Seventeen Mile, Lockyer Valley region, near Toowoomba
Event date: Monday 29 May 2017
Funeral date: Wednesday 7 June 2017
Funeral location: University of Southern Queensland campus, Toowoomba
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_green]BRETT IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Funeral location: TBA
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
QUEENSLAND’S police union has labelled the torment of Brett Forte’s wife today as “nothing short of a disgrace”.
Widow and fellow senior constable Susan Forte built the courage to make a midday public appearance, after spending the morning surrounded by family, friends and colleagues inside the Toowoomba police station.
About 10.45am, Susan emerged from the station with tears streaming down her face and a large bouquet of flowers in her hand.
She walked slowly towards the makeshift memorial that had been made in her husband’s honour.
Susan Forte is supported by friends and family as she visits a makeshift memorial to her husband outside Toowoomba police station. Picture: Darren England
But as she laid the bouquet down — inconsolable and barely able to stand on her own accord — Rick Maddison’s supporters saw an opportunity to let their voice be heard.
One person in a full car yelled “What about Rick?” as the Forte family huddled together, hunched over Susan in the floral sea of colours.
A gasp could be heard, but the family did not retaliate as the station wagon continued down Neil St.
Union president Ian Leavers lambasted the culprit.
“It is nothing short of a disgrace that associates of a career criminal and murderer would dare heckle a grieving widow while she pays tribute to her husband,” he said.
“Police and their families deserve better than to be treated like this.”
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says officers and their families deserve better
Despite the shock, Brett’s father Stuart turned and smiled as the family walked away — Susan arm-in-arm with her daughter Emma Morris.
Stuart confirmed yesterday that Brett’s funeral would be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday at the University of Southern Queensland campus.
Stuart said the family was doing its best to cope with the tragedy and the subsequent attention it had received.
Early morning visits to the Brett’s shrine outside the station have formed part of the grieving process for the family over the last two days.
Via a lawyer yesterday, Maddison’s family also spoke of their pain.
Memorial located at: ? A card left by Brett Fortes in-laws. Picture: Darren England
A statement — read out by Alroe and Sullivan’s Solicitors practice manager Michele Alroe -claimed the murderer was more than just a career criminal.
“To us he was not the one-dimensional career criminal which the media are now portraying but rather a loved son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, friend and mate to many and as such will be sadly mourned,” the statement read.
The statement went on to say that Maddison’s actions may never be fully understood, but it expressed condolences to the police force and the Forte family.
The streets of Toowoomba are rife with anecdotes about Maddison’s self-destructive behaviour.
Friend Anthony Hogan said Maddison was “banned from more licenced venues than he was allowed into”, but said he would never hesitate to help out a mate.
“His name can strike fear into people. He was notorious … I’ve known Rick for many years and I’m not ashamed to say,” Mr Hogan said.
“I loved the guy and I will miss him.
“I’m not defending his actions or his criminal side, nor would he want me to defend him, but those who truly know him, well there was a caring and fiercely loyal side to the man too.”
Stuart acknowledged that the Forte’s were not the only family grieving and maintained that he felt no ill-will towards Maddison for his actions.
Susan and Brett Forte on their wedding day.
Brett Forte’s funeral is expected to be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday.
Constable Forte was shot by Maddison as he gave chase to the criminal in bushland on Monday.
It is understood Constable Forte and his partner were in one of three police cars that followed known criminal Maddison down a dirt road in a “low speed chase” around 2pm on Monday at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.
His colleague used her bare hands to tear a hole in the windscreen of their upturned car so she and others could drag him to safety — all while under fire from a crazed gunman with an automatic weapon.
The Courier-Mail understands Constable Forte and his partner were in one of three police cars that followed known criminal Maddison down a dirt road in a “low speed chase” around 2pm on Monday at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.
In bushland, Maddison stopped and opened fire with a high-powered automatic weapon, hitting Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad officer Constable Forte.
His vehicle and the other vehicles tried to reverse, but his rolled on the rough terrain, trapping him and his partner inside. With Maddison still firing, several officers from the second vehicle ran back to try to get their badly injured colleague out.
THE FAMILY of a gunman who shot dead Senior Constable Brett Forte have called his actions inexcusable but deny he was a “one dimensional career criminal”.
In a statement released through lawyers this morning, the family of Toowoomba man Rick Maddison expressed their condolences to the family and friends of Senior Constable Brett Forte.
“The Maddison family wishes to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Senior Constable Brett Forte for their tragic loss,” the statement read.
Senior Constable Forte’s funeral is expected to be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday.
The scene of a tense stand-off between police and Rick Maddison near Gatton earlier this week.
They said Rick’s actions could not be excused, “nor is it likely they will be ever fully understood”.
“To us he was not the one- dimensional career criminal which the media are now portraying but rather a loved son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, friend and mate to many and as such will be sadly mourned,” the statement read.
The family also expressed their support for QPS and thanked negotiators for their attempts to resolve the situation peacefully.
Senior Constable Brett Forte.
“We express our support for the Queensland Police Service and the often difficult and dangerous work its officers are required to undertake. We particularly wish to thank the police negotiators for their attempts to resolve a very difficult situation peacefully.
“The Maddison family thank the many people who have expressed to them their overwhelming support, sympathy, love and prayers,
“We ask both the press and public to accept the pain and remorse we are feeling and to respect our privacy at this very difficult time.”
Rick Maddison was shot dead by specialist police officers after a tense 20-hour standoff at his barricaded rural property in Adare, east of Toowoomba on Tuesday
Constable grew up to passionately follow in his father’s policing footsteps
Chris Clarke, The Courier
Senior Constable Brett Forte.
-Mail
AN OLD police hat will be placed in Senior Constable Brett Forte’s hands when he is laid to rest in the coming days.
It was the hat his father Stuart wore during his more than 42 years with Queensland Police.
More than a decade ago – soon after Brett had married the love of his life and fellow officer Susan – the respected Toowoomba officer had found the hat sitting in the laundry of his father’s home.
He claimed it and wore it as his own until his final day on Monday when he was shot and killed by a cop-fearing gunman.
The hat is a symbol of the Forte family’s affinity for policing, Stuart told The Courier-Mail yesterday.
A treasured possession that will forever remind him of the boy who would sneak out of home to turn on his old man’s police radio.
The boy who would grow up to passionately follow in his father’s policing footsteps – like Stuart had done himself years earlier.
“He’s just a hero,” Stuart said. “He was a great bloke and he needs to be remembered,” he said.
Brett – known for his humour at home and at work – wasn’t afraid to do the hard yards and he rose through the ranks by doing his time in the regions around Brisbane.
Brett Forte with wife Susan on their wedding day.
Brett’s children: Step-daughter Emma with Brodie and Samuel.
His career had him sent to Cunnamulla, west of Brisbane, before going to Toowoomba, then Caboolture and settling down in Toowoomba again.
Brett leaves behind two sons, Brodie, 9, and Samuel, 3, and stepdaughter Emma, 16.
Similarly, Brett grew up in a family of three, but it wasn’t until early adulthood that he informed his father of his desire to join the force.
While Stuart’s father had some reservations about his own son joining the force around 1970, Stuart himself was never reluctant to see his son sign up.
“(Brett) was always that way (passionate about policing),” he said.
“I wouldn’t say he was gungho, but he wanted to get in there and do the job and do the job right.
Brett’s father Stuart Forte: He was a great bloke and he needs to be remembered. Picture: Liam Kidston
“I’ve been told that he was the guy who had the knowledge of the guidelines and how you’re supposed to do things.
“If anyone wanted any advice, he’d tell them that you do it this way.
“He knew what he was doing and he was very smart in that area.”
Brett’s heartbroken stepdaughter Emma Morris yesterday laid flowers outside Toowoomba Police Station in memory of her father figure.
Bretts son Samuel, 3, is comforted at the Toowoomba police station memorial. Picture: 7 News Queensland
She echoed her grandfather’s sentiments, calling Brett a hero.
But Emma wept at the thought of her brothers growing up without the guidance she had received from him.
“Brett was just a true hero to everybody he knew … a true family man that would put his life on the line for anybody,” she said.
Slain police officer Brett Forte’s step-daughter Emma, 16, placed flowers and read cards with a friend at the Southern District Headquarters Memorial, Toowoomba. Picture: Liam Kidston
“Especially because I have younger siblings and they’re never going to remember him.”
Brett is expected to be laid to rest in coming days with his faded police hat.
But Stuart expects his son’s legacy to live forever within Queensland police ranks.
It remains to be seen whether Brodie and Samuel will follow in their father’s footsteps and continue the family tradition.
One thing Stuart will ensure is that they will grow up knowing their dad was a hero.
Arrangements for Brett’s funeral are still being discussed by his family, who gathered at the home he and Susan shared at Highlands, a suburb of Toowoomba, yesterday. The funeral will be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday in Toowoomba but the location of the ceremony is yet to be determined.
While some in the Forte family have expressed anger towards the slain officer’s killer, Stuart says he has no ill will.
“I don’t hate anybody,” he said. “Funnily enough I thought I would, but there’s no hatred there.”
A tribute outside police Regional Headquarters in Toowoomba. Picture: Liam Kidston
Such a waste…………………both to Brett’s personal family and friends and his Police Family. Why such a good soul has to be taken from this world, is beyond comprehension!! Cherryl
You’re a hero of the thin blue line. May you now rest in peace brother. Fred
No words can be said other than THANK YOU and you will be missed. noel
EXCLUSIVE: Harrowing video shows the frantic moment police race to save the life of a fellow officer and married father-of-two ‘shot dead by a wanted man armed with a machine gun’
Video has emerged of the moment police tried to save an injured officer’s life
Snr Const Brett Forte was shot and killed in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane
Mr Forte was shot by a wanted man during the incident west of Brisbane
Harrowing footage shows police frantically performing CPR on Snr Const Forte
Local residents have reported hearing ‘non-stop automatic machine gunfire’
The gunman is believed to currently be holed up in a rural farmhouse nearby
Published: 22:00 +10:00, 29 May 2017 | Updated: 01:50 +10:00, 30 May 2017
Harrowing video has emerged of the frantic moment police officers bravely tried to save the life of a hero Queensland senior constable who was shot dead allegedly by a wanted man on Monday.
Daily Mail Australia has obtained video from a Lockyer Valley resident who watched with her heart in her mouth as cops worked frantically to save the life of a married father-of-two.
A known offender, Rick Charles Maddison, 41, allegedly shot Senior Constable Brett Forte at about 1.40pm during a police chase in the regional area near Toowoomba, an hour west of Brisbane.
‘A hero lost his life today,’ state police minister Mark Ryan said in a statement.
In the video, filmed on a mobile phone from the window of a nearby home, officers sprint up the road, sirens wail and police can be seen performing CPR on Snr Const Forte.
WARNING *******UPSETTING AUDIO IN THIS CLIP ***** PTSD TRIGGERS
‘Jesus Christ!’ the woman could be heard exclaiming.
Police later bellowed for her to step away from the windows due to the active shooter, sources said.
Maddison, who was believed to be armed with a machine gun, abruptly stopped and got out of his car during the chase involving two police vehicles and four officers and allegedly shot Snr Const Forte.
Maddison, from Toowoomba, then drove down a dirt road at Seventeen Mile, just northwest of Gatton.
A police vehicle is towed from the scene where Snr Const Forte was killed on Monday afternoon
It was understood the police vehicle Snr Const Forte had been travelling in rolled over after the chase resumed and Maddison also allegedly fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into bushland before entering a farm house.
The husband of the woman who filmed the video told Daily Mail Australia she was frightened and ‘freaking out a bit’ after gunfire rang out through the area.
Police officers would later carry the wounded officer off the paddy wagon onto her front lawn and ‘keep him alive’, he said.
Several locals were forced to watch helplessly behind a barricade for hours while their wives were stuck in their homes behind police lines.
Truck driver Peter Hills had been stuck outside on Adare Road for six hours when he spoke to Daily Mail Australia.
Mr Hills, who drives fresh produce for a living, said his wife called him on Monday afternoon asked: ‘Do you know if they’re shooting a movie or something?’
His partner witnessed streams of police cars, including black specialist vehicles and detective vehicles zooming down her street and then changing direction.
‘There’s a black paddy wagon, there’s another police car, now there’s an unmarked D-car… and then there was a little bit more – and then more went!’ he recounted her telling him.
‘And then all of a sudden they’ve all gone back the other way.’
Fatally wounded as he pursued the offender through the Lockyer Valley Region, Snr Const Forte was remembered as a hero by the Queensland police minister.
‘My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the Queensland Police Service officer who was tragically killed this afternoon while doing his job selflessly serving the people of Queensland,’ Mr Ryan said.
‘Along with millions of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to his service. He will never be forgotten. With honour, he served.’
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
– Tactical response officers travelling in two police cars tried to pull over a vehicle on Wellers Road, Seventeen Mile, in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley about 1.40pm on Monday
– Rick Charles Maddison, who was believed to be armed with a machine gun, got out of his car and allegedly opened fire on the police vehicles
– Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot
– Maddison then drove down a dirt road and it was understood one of the police vehicles rolled over after the chase resumed
– Maddison also allegedly fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into a farm house
– Snr Constable Forte was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital but was confirmed to have died by 4pm
– Police announce an emergency declaration has been declared under the provisions of the Public Safety Preservation Act and an exclusion zone has been put in place
– A manhunt begins for Maddison who is believed to be holed up in the farm house
Police are now negotiating with Maddison who is holed up in a farm house inside a locked-down area.
‘We have a person contained and at my last advice we were negotiating with that person,’ Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said at a press conference on Monday night.
Police had warned locals to stay indoors while negotiations were underway.
Local resident Kyal Pennell, 23, who was trapped in his home due to the exclusion zone, said he could hear ‘non-stop bursts of automatic gunfire’ and police sirens.
‘Every five minutes there’s gunfire. There’s been handgun shots, machine gun shots, and shotgun shots from what I can tell,’ he told Daily Mail Australia on Monday afternoon.
At 4.30pm, Mr Pennell said police holding semi-machine guns arrived at the front gate of his home to evacuate him and his neighbours from the area. Gunshot bursts were still echoing through the valley.
‘As far as I know, a couple of guys broke out of a jail and they’ve shot a police officer on the front lawn,’ one man told 9 News.
I had to go pick up the kids because the wife couldn’t get out, I was at work.’
Snr Const Forte was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital but was confirmed to have died by 4pm.
He had served in the force for 15 years and was a member of Toowoomba’s Tactical Crime Squad.
His wife, Susan, is also a police officer.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a statement her thoughts and prayers were with Snr Const Forte’s family and friends.
‘Every day, the brave officers of the Queensland Police Service put their lives on the line when they go to work,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.
‘Each of us should be immensely grateful for the work they do.’
In a tragic coincidence, Snr Const Forte’s death comes on the anniversary of slain Gold Coast detective Damian Leeding‘s shooting after he responded to an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern in 2011.
Heartbreaking attempt to save ‘hero’ cop caught on camera
May 30, 2017 1:51am
A DESPERATE attempt to save a dying policeman shot by a gunman in Queensland has been caught on camera.
Senior Constable Brett Forte, a father of two, was shot in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley on Monday afternoon when a man got out of his vehicle and opened fire on a number of police cars with an automatic weapon.
Police officers try to save the life of their shot colleague Brett Forte. Picture: Daily MailSource: Supplied
The heartbreaking footage, obtained by the Daily Mail, shows cops performing mouth-to-mouth and heart massage in a ditch beside a police car.
When officers notice the woman shooting the video, they yell at her to “get inside” and “get away from the window” because the shooter was still at large.
Queensland Police confirmed that Snr Const Forte had died in a statement on Monday night.
“A hero lost his life today,” Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said.
Officers try to revive Brett Forte. Source: Supplied
The gunman, who The Courier-Mail identified as “career criminal” Rick Maddison, is in a stand-off with police in an area near Gatton in southeast Queensland.
The incident began about 2pm when police attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by a “person of interest” on Wellers Rd at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.
Snr Const Forte’s fellow officers were able to move him away and extract themselves from the scene.
Police are in negotiations with the gunman, who fled the vehicle into nearby bushland.
While neighbours reported hearing what sounded like machine-gun fire, police did not confirm details about the weapon.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart described the situation as an “active scene” and said the gunman was considered to be “at large”.
“Obviously we want to resolve this situation as peacefully as humanly possible,” he said.
Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team have arrived at the scene and a huge area has been locked down around Seventeen Mile, 115km west of Brisbane.
Gatton resident Kyal Pennell told news.com.au that he heard the first shots, which sounded like machine-gun fire, about 2.30pm and then a police siren for about 15 minutes.
“Then there was basically gunfire every 10 to 15 minutes from about 2.45pm through to 4.30pm,” he said.
“It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what to think, I wasn’t sure what was going on and I couldn’t see anything. I was only hoping it wasn’t getting any closer.”
Mr Pennell said he was eventually evacuated about 5.30pm and was now staying at a hotel with his family as police continued to hunt for the shooter.
Snr Const Forte was part of Toowoomba’s Tactical Crime Squad and worked with Queensland Police for about 15 years.
“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues … along with millions of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to his service,” Mr Ryan said in his tribute.
“He will never be forgotten.
“With honour, he served.”
There were also unconfirmed reports shots were fired at a police helicopter, which was forced to land for its own safety.
Police have urged nearby residents to remain inside as they try to locate the gunman.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman earlier confirmed paramedics had been called to the scene to treat two people, one with critical injuries, however only one was transported to hospital.
One person was taken to nearby Toowoomba Hospital with shortness of breath.
An exclusion zone in place for the area of Fords Rd, Forestry Rd West, Sandy Creek Rd, Gerard Lane, 17 Mile, Wallers Rd and Forest Rd.
Cop shot dead as he tried to escape crashed police car
Yahoo7 News
Senior Constable Brett Forte had been pursuing the wanted violent offender when he opened fire at a patrol car.
Shortly after the officer was killed, police engaged in a shoot-out with the fugitive as residents reported hearing a volley of gunshots.
Pictured: Cop shot dead as he tried to escape crashed police car. Source: 7 News
On a country road in the rural Locker Valley is where a police pursuit came to a bloody and abrupt end.
Some residents have recorded the moment a gunman opened fire on police with a semi-automatic weapon.
It’s understood Senior Constable Brett Forte and his partner had pulled over wanted man Rick Maddison on Waller Street just after 2pm on Monday when the fugitive began shooting their patrol car.
It’s believed it rolled down an embankment during the gunfire.
The Toowoomba tactical crime officer was critically injured.
Details aren’t clear but it’s understood police had tried to return fire.
Those nearby attempted CPR however his injuries were too severe.
Police say the shooter then fled in a vehicle and then on foot.
An exclusion zone was set up across several hectares streets locked down and residents told to stay inside.
“I looked out the window, couldn’t see nothing but I could hear sirens then all of a sudden like 6 or 7 short bursts of a machine gun,” Kyal Pennell a neighbour told 7 News.
PolAir assisted from above until Maddison opened fire on the police helicopter.
“I haven’t heard police fire for about 25 minutes, half an hour, but the machine gun every five or then minutes he’s letting off like quick bursts,” Pennell continued.
It’s understood the man was wanted over a series of serious crimes – including torture.
He was being pursued at the time by Senior Constable Brett Forte, a married father of two and the son of a highly regarded retired police officer.
The tragedy comes on the anniversary of the shootings of detective senior constable Damien Leading and former deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett.
Queensland Police have requested locals avoid Wallers, Forestry, Ringwood, and Fords Rds near Seventeen Mile.
Bravery awards for police who tried to save fellow officer’s life
Brisbane Times on 28 March 2018, 6:30pm
When thousands of mourners had filed away, as slain Queensland policeman Brett Forte’s family stood by his grave for a private service, a woman approached them.
“Brett saved my life,” she said.
Thousands of mourners farewelled slain police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte at his funeral in Toowoomba.
Photo: Supplied
It’s one of many memories that make Stuart Forte proud as he struggles to come to terms with the killing that tore his family apart 10 months ago to the day.
When Senior Constable Brett Forte is posthumously awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct on Thursday, it will be “lovely”, a fitting recognition of his sacrifice.
But it won’t stop Stuart Forte breaking down when he tries to pick out a photo to go up on the wall from his son’s wedding to still-distraught fellow officer Susan, a tribute that’s been a work-in-progress for months.
When Brett’s policing partner Senior Constable Cath Nielsen, along with Senior Constable Stephen Barlow, Acting Sergeant Scott Hill and Constable Brittany Poulton, are bestowed with Bravery Medals for trying to save his life, the 67-year-old won’t find it easy to express his thanks for what they did.
Brett Forte’s wife Susan and daughter Emma at his funeral in Toowoomba last June.
Photo: Dan Peled/AAP
Those four officers risked their lives deep in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, on the afternoon of May 29, as a cop killer sprayed them with bullets from an automatic rifle.
On Thursday, they will be among 34 Bravery Medal recipients to be honoured in this year’s Australian Bravery Awards, a federal tradition dating back to 1975.
“It’s hard to answer because we still feel the tragedy of it,” former cop Stuart Forte said.
“It’s had a huge impact on the family and everything and it’s lovely to hear when these things are going to happen and everything.
“Because it’s a recognition of the sacrifice that he made and what sort of person he was and the heroic things that went on by the other officers there trying to save him.”
The repeat offender had been convicted of assault and charged with torture at one point and had a “grievance” with the Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad, according to police.
By the time Maddison had driven down the hill from Toowoomba, the crew from Gatton and another from Helidon had joined in.
He avoided road spikes before driving off the edge of the highway, eventually ending up on Wallers Road, where he seemed to lie in wait for the first car to come over the hill.
Senior Constable Barlow heard the shots first, before the Helidon crew started reversing back over the rise and Senior Constable Nielsen shouted for help over the radio.
Confronted with such a heavily armed offender, Senior Constables Hill and Barlow and Constable Poulton knew their cars would be too large a target, so ran along a driveway up to the scrub and down the hill to rescue their colleagues.
“It was daunting,” Senior Constable Barlow said.
“At first when we got out of the car, our training kicked in.
“ … When we got to the actual scene, the police vehicle was on its side. The siren was blaring out.
“It was quite overwhelming but, as I say, we knew what we had to do.”
All the while Senior Constable Nielsen was firing back at Maddison with nothing but her police service handgun.
When the other three arrived, Constable Poulton laid down cover fire as officers Nielsen and Barlow kicked in the window to rescue their dying colleague.
Despite the gunfire, Senior Constable Barlow started first aid, before Constable Poulton raced away from the area in a squad car with Senior Constable Forte on board, according to the bravery citation.
“We didn’t know where he was but we could certainly hear machinegun fire,” Senior Constable Barlow said.
“We didn’t know whether he had us in his sights or what he was doing.”
Realising they were outgunned, officers Barlow, Nielsen and Hill retreated once the car was safely away.
Ten months on, the extended Forte family will gather in Narangba for Easter, where Stuart promises there will be a massive Easter egg hunt as Brett loved it last year.
The 2018 awards will also recognise with the Star of Courage slain Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson for his role in calming the gunman in the December 2014 Sydney siege, and NSW man Antonio Rokov, who died saving the life of a 14-year-old boy in a skydiving accident.
Also in Queensland, 65-year-old Norman Olsen will be posthumously awarded a Bravery Medal for freeing a woman from her partner’s assault in Toowoomba, on February 22, 2016.
The woman was able to run from the scene, but Mr Olsen was punched in the head and fell backwards, fatally striking his head on the footpath.
Several other Queenslanders, both in and out of the emergency services, will be recognised with a Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 – 1861),
Saturday 30 December 1848, page 2
LOSS OF THE GOVERNMENT SCHOONER ” SATELLITE. “
We regret to announce the loss of the police schooner Satellite, during the gale of Saturday night.
She had started in the forenoon on a pleasure-trip down the harbour, having on board the Colonial Secretary, Captains Browne, Innes, and Batty, Mr. Mann, and several other gentlemen. On returning from the Heads, about dusk, having to beat up against a westerly wind, these gentlemen left her in the hands of the crew, three in number, and came up to Sydney in Captain Browne’s boat.
A few minutes before the gale commenced, the schooner was observed by some parties standing across from Bradley’s Head to Clarke’s Island, and it is supposed that almost instantly after she must have capsized and gone down, as no trace whatever can be found of her. The names of the unfortunate men who have thus met with a watery.grave are Crawell, McKenna, and Vincent.
The Water Police boats were all over the harbour on Sunday morning, and finding no vestige of the vessel, they commenced dragging for the bodies of Crawelland Vincent, that of McKenna having been found on the rocks near Bradley’s Head. The bodies of the other two had not been found.
The telegraph mast at Fort Phillip has also been carried away by the gale. The inconvenience to the public will be very considerable unless the Government speedily erect another.
By the assistance of two punts the Satellite was floated yesterday, and towed into Woolloomooloo Bay : From all the circumstances of this melancholy case, we think that a considerable degree of blame is attached to the parties who left the schooner in the hands of three men only, two of which were, we understand, totally unacquainted with the duties of a seaman ; more especially us, from the general appearance of the weather during the day, an experienced seaman like Captain Browne might reasonably have anticipated a storm about sun-down.
One of the bodies of the unfortunate men was found yesterday evening.
Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 – 1860),
Saturday 23 December 1848, page 2
The Loss of the Satellite.
A most unjustifiable attack on the Colonial Secretary was given to the world, or, more correctly speaking, to that very circumscribed portion of it with which the “Atlas ” is connected, in the columns of that journal on Saturday last.
The penman of the vituperative article would appear to be either of very recent importation, and consequently incompetent to treat of the conduct of the local Government and its officers, or, ( which is equally creditable to his impertinence ) has taken no pains to arrive at the truth of the accusation so unblushingly levelled at a gentleman whose public and private career has till now escaped the foul mouthed abuse of the slanderer.
Our present purpose is merely to rebut the calumny, and, if possible, shame the calumniator by the simple declaration that Mr. Thomson did NOT form one of the party on board the ill-fated ” Satellite ” on the pleasure trip which resulted in so melancholy a loss of life.
With respect to the alleged mal-appropriation of the Water Police Schoonerby her commander, in occasionally entertaining a party of friends on board, and indulging in a cruise about the harbour, we can see neither impropriety nor ” disgrace ” in so natural a proceeding. As well might the ” Atlas ” arraign every Post Captain in the British Navy, for, with few exceptions, our gallant tars do not scruple to appropriate H. M’s. boats to the occasional entertainment of their friends in harbour, and this without risk of rebuke from the Admiralty, or the censure of any, save, perhaps, that of some expuseyite canting print whose ruling principle, like that of the termagant on the eve of matrimony, is avowedly”,” to find fault where there is no occasion.”
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893), Wednesday 20 December 1848, page 2
The water police schooner Satellite was, late on Saturday night, recovered, and has been towed into Neutral Bay, where she now lies. She was found with all her sails set, and not a rope misplaced. She has sustained no damage worth speaking of, or at all events, not beyond what a few pounds will cover.
The body of one of the two missing policemen, a man named Craill, was found on Friday night, at Potts’s Point, lying between two rocks. It was in a fearful state of decomposition, and could with difficulty be identified. An inquest was held on Saturday. The evidence adduced was precisely the same as that given at a former inquest held on the body of the man named McKenna, and a finding of death from accidental drowning was recorded.
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893), Wednesday 20 December 1848, page 2
THE “SATELLITE” — Early yesterday morning, two punts is attached to the dredging machine proceeded to the spot where the police schooner Satellite had been found, near Bradley’s Head, in thirteen fathoms of water, and by means of the ?, she was towed into shallow water near Garden Island.
The body of the water policeman Craill was found yesterday on Potts’ Point, and brought to the Water Police Office, on which was ? ? will be held this day. We are as ? to state that all expenses incurred in getting up the schooner, and giving her the necessary repairs, will be borne by the party who were pleasuring in her on the day of the unfortunate disaster occurred. – Dec 16.
The police schooner Satellite having been towed into shallow water near Garden Island on Friday last, was yesterday morning got up, and the water being pumped out of her, she was towed into Hulk Bay, having sustained little or no damage.
The vessel when got up had every sail and rope set, which shows that she must have been beating up against a westerly wind, when the southerly squall caught her, and capsized her.
Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 – 1860),
Saturday 16 December 1848, page 2
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
Loss OF THE WATER POLICE SCHOONER, “SATELLITE.” – On Saturday last, a select party of gentlemen, accepting the invitation of Captain Browne, proceeded down the harbour on a pleasure cruise in the Satellite.
On their return about 7 p m., towards Sydney, the wind which had been variable, and blowing in sudden gusts, veered ahead, on which the party determined on leaving the schooner, and pulling to the wharf in Captain Browne’s boat.
Previous to quitting the Satellite, positive instructions were given to the three men left on board, to take in the main-top-sail, but it would stem as though they had utterly mistaken the order, as the boat had not proceeded many hundred yards before they perceived the schooner’s top-gallant-sail hoisted, and all sail set. The boat, on nearing the shore, suddenly encountered a heavy squall, which nearly capsized her, and it is presumed that the Satellite must have been struck and overwhelmed by the same, as no tidings of the unfortunate vessel could he gleaned on the following morning.
On search being made, the body of McKenna, one of the crew, was discovered cast up on the rocks near Bradley’s Head ; the bodies of his shipmates, Crawell and Vincent, have not yet been recovered.
The Schooner was subsequently found sunk, in fourteen fathoms water, and immediate steps will be taken to raise her.
Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade List (NSW : 1844 – 1860), Saturday 16 December 1848, page 301
We are sorry to have to announce the loss of the Police schooner Satellite, during the gale of Saturday night.
She had started in the forenoon on a pleasure trip down the harbour with the Colonial Treasurer, Captains Browne, Innes, and Batty, Mr. Mann, and others.
On returning from the heads, about dusk, having to beat up against a westerly wind, these gentlemen left her in the hands of the crew, three in number, and came up to Sydney in Captain Browne’s boat. A few minutes before the gale commenced the schooner was observed by some parties standing across from Bradley’s Head to Clarke’s Island, and it is supposed that almost instantly after she must have capsized and gone down, as she has since been found in that part of the harbour.
The names of the unfortunate men who have thus met with a watery grave, are Craill, McKenna, and Vincent.
The body of McKenna has been found on the rocks near Bradley’s Head, and that of Craill on Potts’s Point.
We are authorised to state that all expenses incurred in getting up the schooner, and giving her the necessary repairs, will be borne by the parties who were pleasuring in her on the day the unfortunate disaster occurred.
During the same gale a small coasting vessel of about ten tons, was driven ashore on the rocks near George’s Head, but fortunately no lives lest. The telegraph mast also at Fort Phillip, has been carried away by the violence of the gale.
Inquest on the body of Hugh CRAILL, whose body was taken to the Water Police Office, was head at the Hooper’s the King’s Head, Lower George-street on Saturday 16 December 1848.
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893), Saturday 16 December 1848, page 2
SYDNEY NEWS
( From our Correspondent )
Sydney, Thursday Evening.
THE WATER POLICE SCHOONER – No attempt could be made for the recovery of the Satellite yesterday, in consequence of the boisterous weather that prevailed.
The diving bell and the punts belonging to the dredge left Sydney before daylight this morning to make the attempt.
The bodies of the two other missing water police have not yet been recovered.
The government, I am informed, have resolved that as the boat at the time of the occurrence was out on a pleasure party, and not on ” duty “ the water police magistrate shall pay for her loss.
The police schooner Satellite, which has been dragged for during the last two days, was yesterday afternoon fell in with near Bradley’s Head, in between ten and twelve fathoms water. The steam dredge and diving bell were to proceed at daylight this morning for the purpose of recovering her. Neither of the bodies of the police constables Craill and Vincent had, up to yesterday evening, been found.
INQUEST. – An inquest was held yesterday by Mr. Ryan Brenan, at O’Dowd’s, the Forbes’ Hotel, King and York streets, on view of the body of Christopher McKenna. then lying dead at the residence of his mother, in York-street. The deceased was one of the three Water Police constables who were on board the Government schooner Satellite, when she was lost in the harbour during the sudden squall of Saturday night.
Mr. T. H. B. Venour, clerk of the Water Police Court, deposed to the finding of the body of the deceased late on Sunday afternoon, lying on the rocks on the south-western side of Bradley’s Head.
Captain Browne, P.M., stated that on Saturday the schooner had been down the harbour, and on returning to Sydney, at about seven o’clock in the evening, when off Clarke’s Island, the wind falling light, he (Captain B ) with others quitted the vessel, leaving her in charge of the deceased and two others of the constabulary named Craill and Vincent.
On leaving the vessel a caution was given to these parties to mind the southerly wind and have their sails taken in. They were directed to work up to Sydney. Captain B. and his party then pulled up, but within the succeeding twenty minutes were caught by the squall, and from its violence experienced great difficulty in reaching Sydney.
Finding on yesterday (Sunday) morning that the schooner had not come up, he proceeded down the harbour, and found on the rocks nearBradley’s Head the Satellite‘s main hatch gratings, and a table which he ( Captain Browne ) knew to be aboard of her when he quitted her, as also a hat belonging to the deceased.
Every possible enquiry had been made respecting the schooner, but although it appears she was seen shortly previous to the coming of the squall, no person could be found who had seen her struck by it.
The deceased, who was about twenty-two years of age, had been four years in the service, and a high encomium on his conduct during that time was passed by Captain Browne.
The deceased and the other men, at the time the schooner was left in their charge, were perfectly sober.
The jury returned a finding of accidental death by drowning.
We are sorry to have to announce the loss of the Police schooner Satellite, during the gale of Saturday night.
She had started in the forenoon on a pleasure trip down the harbour with the Colonial Secretary, Captains Browne, Innes, and Batty, Mr Mann, and others.
On returning from the heads, about dusk, having to beat up against a westerly wind, these gentlemen left her in the hands of the crew, three in number, and came up to Sydney in Captain Browne’s boat.
A few minutes before the gale commenced the schooner was observed by some parties standing across from Bradley’s Head to Clarke’s Island, and it is supposed that almost instantly after she must have capsized and gone down, as no trace whatever can be found of her. The names of the unfortunate men who have thus met with a watery grave, are Crawell, McKenna, and Vincent.
The Water Police boats were all over the harbour yesterday morning, and finding no vestige of the vessel, they commenced dragging for the bodies of Crawell and Vincent, that of McKenna having been found on the rocks near Bradley’s Head.
During the same gale a small coasting vessel of about ten tons, was driven ashore on the rocks near George’s Head, but fortunately no lives lost.
The telegraph mast also at Fort Phillip, has been carried away by the violence of the gale. It is to be hoped the government will lose no time in repairing this latter damage, as the loss will be a great inconvenience to the public.
Senior Constable Lindsay Forsythe was lured to a late night ambush at a secluded location in country Victoria in response to a false burglary report. When he arrived at the unoccupied residence he was fatally shot, but returned fire striking his assailant four times before he died.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of Constable Forsythe’s wife and a fellow police officer, Senior Constable Leigh Michael Lawson ( 27 ), who were having an affair.
Both were convicted and Lawson was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Gayle Forsythe received five years imprisonment on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Service: From 20 June 1974to 29 March 1982 = 7years, 9 months, 9 days Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Thursday 6 June 1957
Died on: Monday 29 March 1982
Age: 24 years, 9 months, 23 days
Cause: Motor Vehicle Collision – Driver – Urgent Duty
Event location: Tapleys Hill Rd, Glenelg North, South Australia
Funeral date: Thursday 1 April 1982
Funeral location: Mt Gambier, S.A.
Buried at: Carinya Gardens Cemetery, Mt Gambier, South Australia
Section: Water Lily Garden Grave: 14 Row: N
Memorial located at: ?
Warren Matheson had two small children when he died. The mother ( Barbara ) of those two small children kept in close contact with the parents of Warren after his death and are still in contact to this day. Warrens, now adult children ( Brett, 38 & Hayley, 36 ) ( in 2017) and their mother ( Barbara ) travelled from Qld to Mt Gambier in November 2016 and visited the grave of Warren. Warren now has two grandsons, now aged 5 & 1. The memory of Warren is still alive and the family will never forget the loss.
Warren Mathesons’ now adult children ( Hayley, 36 & Brett, 38 ) ( as of 2017) as seen in November 2016 with Warrens’ two grandsons, now aged 5 & 1.
This photo is Warrens parents Ian and Maureen Matheson ( seated ) with the family celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary November 2016.
Certificate of Service
WARREN is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
March 29, 1982 | Two young constables, Warren John Matheson, 24, and Matthew John Payne, 22, died after the vehicle they were pursuing through Adelaide’s south-western suburbs swerved into their police car. Police subsequently charged the driver of the pursed vehicle with a number of very serious driving offences.
In loving memory of Warren John Matheson Died in the line of Duty 29th March 1982 aged 24 years Beloved elder son of Ian and Maureen Loving brother to Ann and Craig Cherished father of Brett and Hayley So dearly loved, so sadly missed
29 September, 2010
Police honour their comrades
By Fred Smith (Cross Media Reporter)
Community members joined Limestone Coast police at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday for the National Police Remembrance Day.
The presence of riderless horse at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday was a time-honoured way of paying respects to the fallen.
Such gestures have been hallmarks of military and State funerals since the nineteenth century.
Local officers arranged for the riderless horse with boots reversed in its stirrups to be part of the annual religious ceremony to mark National Police Remembrance Day.
The 16-year-old grey horse called “Limelight” was formerly a part of the South Australian Police Mounted Cadre.
In retirement, “Limelight” was brought to Mt Gambier by its former rider Senior Constable Stephanie Cooper.
After nine years with the Mounted Cadre, Senior Constable Cooper is now on general police duties in Mt Gambier.
She rode another horse “Star of Courage” to the ceremony while “Limelight” was led to it by Constable Barb Bushell.
The two horses stood guard while community members and police honoured those who had given their lives in the line of duty.
The wreath layers at the 45 minute ceremony included local resident Maureen Matheson.
She laid a floral tribute in memory of her eldest son, Warren John Matheson, who was killed while on police duty in Adelaide in 1982.
At the time of his death, he was a 24-year-old married father with an infant son and daughter.
He was laid to rest in the Carinya Gardens Cemetery in Mount Gambier.
Mrs Matheson said another young officer from this region was killed in the same motor vehicle collision which claimed the life of her son.
“He was 22-year-old Constable Matthew Payne, of Rendelsham.
“Matthew was not supposed to be on traffic duties with Warren on this day but his regular partner could not make this shift.
“Matthew is buried at Rendelsham.
“I have been coming to these annual ceremonies for several years.
“One has been held at Warren’s grave while another took place at the Rendelsham cemetery.
“In recent years, we have been holding the ceremony here at Mt Gambier,” said Mrs Matheson.
The other wreath layers were representatives of the Limestone Coast Police Local Service Area, SA Police Legacy, Mt Gambier City Council, District Council of Grant, MFS, SA Ambulance Service and the Rotary Club of Mt Gambier West.
A wreath was also placed on Constable Payne’s grave later in the day by Sergeant Richard Murphy, of the SA Police Legacy.
The master of ceremonies in Mt Gambier was Sergeant Andy Stott while the prayers were led by Police Chaplain and Mt Gambier Anglican parish priest, the Reverend Canon Brian Ashworth.
March 29, 1982 | Two young constables, Warren John Matheson, 24, and Mathew John Payne, 22, died after a vehicle they were pursuing through Adelaide’s south-western suburbs swerved into their police car. Police subsequently charged the driver of the pursed vehicle with a number of very serious driving offences.
Engaged to Rosemary Osborne – wedding date was 2nd Oct 1982.
Mathew was brought up in SESA Rendelsham on farm he really loved Police work very interested in Cattle Rustling for his future.
He was motor bike enthusiast as are his ‘on the job’ mates who are all now retired but they still ride the Wall to Wall every year.
29 September, 2010
Police honour their comrades
By Fred Smith (Cross Media Reporter)
Community members joined Limestone Coast police at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday for the National Police Remembrance Day.
The presence of riderless horse at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday was a time-honoured way of paying respects to the fallen.
Such gestures have been hallmarks of military and State funerals since the nineteenth century.
Local officers arranged for the riderless horse with boots reversed in its stirrups to be part of the annual religious ceremony to mark National Police Remembrance Day.
The 16-year-old grey horse called “Limelight” was formerly a part of the South Australian Police Mounted Cadre.
In retirement, “Limelight” was brought to Mt Gambier by its former rider Senior Constable Stephanie Cooper.
After nine years with the Mounted Cadre, Senior Constable Cooper is now on general police duties in Mt Gambier.
She rode another horse “Star of Courage” to the ceremony while “Limelight” was led to it by Constable Barb Bushell.
The two horses stood guard while community members and police honoured those who had given their lives in the line of duty.
The wreath layers at the 45 minute ceremony included local resident Maureen Matheson.
She laid a floral tribute in memory of her eldest son, Warren John Matheson, who was killed while on police duty in Adelaide in 1982.
At the time of his death, he was a 24-year-old married father with an infant son and daughter.
He was laid to rest in the Carinya Gardens Cemetery in Mount Gambier.
Mrs Matheson said another young officer from this region was killed in the same motor vehicle collision which claimed the life of her son.
“He was 22-year-old Constable Matthew Payne, of Rendelsham.
“Matthew was not supposed to be on traffic duties with Warren on this day but his regular partner could not make this shift.
“Matthew is buried at Rendelsham.
“I have been coming to these annual ceremonies for several years.
“One has been held at Warren’s grave while another took place at the Rendelsham cemetery.
“In recent years, we have been holding the ceremony here at Mt Gambier,” said Mrs Matheson.
The other wreath layers were representatives of the Limestone Coast Police Local Service Area, SA Police Legacy, Mt Gambier City Council, District Council of Grant, MFS, SA Ambulance Service and the Rotary Club of Mt Gambier West.
A wreath was also placed on Constable Payne’s grave later in the day by Sergeant Richard Murphy, of the SA Police Legacy.
The master of ceremonies in Mt Gambier was Sergeant Andy Stott while the prayers were led by Police Chaplain and Mt Gambier Anglican parish priest, the Reverend Canon Brian Ashworth.
Former Euroa public cemetery caretaker Max Burnside never expected to discover the grave of a police officer who died in the line of duty almost 150 years ago.
He was busy mowing the lawn at the cemetery about 10 years ago when he spotted some white marble sticking out of the ground.
‘‘I thought it was just a stone that would hit the mower and do some damage one day, but it turned out to be a headstone completely under the ground,’’ Mr Burnside said.
The headstone belonged to Victoria Police Mounted Trooper Constable Patrick Francis Curtin, who was born in Ireland on March 17, 1836, and died near Violet Town on May 28, 1872.
Mr Burnside managed to uncover Const Curtin’s headstone and cleaned it up.
Having an active interest in history, Mr Burnside then went home and started researching the police officer’s death.
It was believed Const Curtin was the first police officer to serve at the Euroa police station and died when he was travelling back from Violet Town by wagonette after obtaining a warrant.
While attempting to avoid a rough area on the road the horse stopped, causing Const Curtin to be thrown from the wagon.
The incident caused Const Curtin’s pistol to perforate his bowel and his neck was broken during the incident.
He died a short time later, aged 36, and was buried at the Euroa public cemetery, where he quietly rested until his grave was brought to the attention of police in 2009 when a break-in happened at the cemetery’s storage shed.
During this event Mr Burnside met Leading Senior Constable Simon Hutchings, who was stationed at Euroa police station and showed a keen interest in the discovery.
Leading Sen Const Hutchings obtained a range of records about Const Curtin’s service and brought the grave to the attention of the Victoria Police Graves Committee.
The committee was known to restore graves of police officers who died in the line of duty and hold ceremonies to honour the sacrifice they made in the line of duty.
Const Curtin was honoured during a grave re-dedication ceremony on Wednesday at the Euroa public cemetery.
The service was attended by Victoria Police Chief Commission Graham Ashton, who spoke about the importance of these ceremonies in showing police that their service would never be forgotten.
Const Curtin’s great-great-granddaughter Dawn De Vond accepted a Victoria Police Star from Chief Comm Ashton.
Ms De Vond said it was wonderful for her great-great-grandfather to receive recognition.
‘‘When I got the initially phone call I was just blown out of the world, I just thought this is incredible,’’ Ms De Vond said.
‘‘I’m proud to be here, it’s just really lovely and I didn’t expect such an occasion.’’
Before Victoria Police contacted Ms De Vond she did not know a lot about Const Curtin.
She said the Victoria Police Star she accepted on her great-great-grandfather’s behalf would be donated to the historic society.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 29 April 1871, page 2
SHOCKING DEATH AT EUROA. Dr. Henry, M.B., deputy coroner for the Benalla district, held an inquest on Wednesday, the 26th inst., at the Pilgrim Inn, Euroa, on the body of Fritz Bohlmann, a waggoner.
The jury consisted of Messrs. Joseph Freeman, foreman ; James Fraser, David Cree, John Morgan, Charles Pratt, William Hewish, William Hogg, William Beaton, Andrew McGee, Charles Clusky, Thomas Lake, and John Gordon.
The jury having viewed the body, Daniel Kelly, carrier, residing at Benalla, deposed on oath.- I know the deceased Fritz Bohlmann. Have been acquainted with him seven or eight years. He was about 40 years of age. He was born in Holstein-Schleswig. He was, I believe, a single man. I saw him last alive at the Duck Ponds about 12 o’clock noon yesterday. He was a little the worse for drink when I first saw him; and I advised him to go into his waggon and have a sleep, and I promised to drive his team till we came to Euroa, which I did. When I went to awaken him I found he was dead. He was lying with his face downwards on his blankets. His head was lower than his feet, which were resting on some sheep. skins. I reported the matter to the police immediately.
By the Foreman. – It is five miles from the Duck Ponds to Euroa. I saw him several times during the journey, and he had not altered his position. He never spoke to me after he got into the waggon. I did not disturb him thinking him to be asleep.
By the Police. – He has a brother in Melbourne. He has a waggon and seven horses. On the waggon were some sheepskins and a hide. The harness was complete all but one set.
John Nicholson, M.D., deposed.- I am a legally.qualified medical practitioner, residing at Benalla. I have this day made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased Fritz Bohlmann, now lying dead at the Pilgrim Inn. The body is of a stout, muscular build, height about 5 feet 7 1/2 inches, and aged I should say about 40. The head,, neck, and upper part of the chest were very much congested and black. There were no marks of violence externally, nor any old scars. Internally the lungs were gorged with blood; all the other organs were healthy. It appears to me that deceased died from suffocation. Lying on his face in the manner described by last witness, during a state of intoxication, would be sufficient to account for the suffocation. There was no blood in the pleural cavity. I did not examine the stomach.
Patrick. Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed.- From Information I received yesterday I proceeded to a waggon in the main street of Euroa. nearly opposite the Pilgrim Inn. – I found the deceased Fritz Bohlmann, and had him removed to the Pilgrim Inn. I searched him in company with several others. and found 17s. in one pocket and 6d. in another, also a knife. I and two others searched the waggon by candlelight to see if we could find any money, as the deceased was supposed to have some. Not finding any last night I tried again to-day in company with others, and found three £5 notes and two half-crowns. The total amount in my possession is £16 2s 6d., together with seven horses, a waggon and harness, a hide, and some sheepskins When I went first to the waggon he was partly sitting, one leg being bent under him.
The jury brought in the following verdict:- ” That Fritz Bohlmann did, on the 25th day of April, 1871, on his journey from the Duck Ponds to Euroa, die of suffocation, and that there were no marks of external injury on the body of deceased.”
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 15 April 1871, page 2
FATAL ACCIDENT AT EUROA.
A magisterial inquiry was held by Mr Gall, on Friday evening, the 8th instant, at the Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa, touching the death of Henry Bond, who had been run over that morning.
John Wakenshaw, residing at Model Farm, near Violet Town, deposed — I have seen the deceased, Henry Bond. He was in my employment about seven weeks. He was assisting me to break in a young horse to harness for Alexander Munroe, and to see him safely on the road. Henry Bond took charge of the break at the incline on the bridge where the floods washed it away. I was in charge of the body horse when going up the incline, and I looked back and saw the wheel go over the deceased’s body. I called to Mr Munroe to stop the team, but seeing that the wheel was likely to come back on the body I called to him to go on to level ground. I then assisted deceased to the nearest hotel. He then said he thought he was dying. Deceased was perfectly sober at the time.
Alexander Munroe deposed — The deceased, Henry Bond, was helping me with a young horse to break it into harness. When we came to the Euroa bridge I asked him to take charge of the break. Next saw him lying on the road. I stopped the horses and came back to his assistance. Deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over him. Assisted to carry him to the nearest hotel. The weight on the dray was about 35cwt. There were three horses in the dray at the time of the accident. We started this morning from Mr Garrett’s, Euroa. The accident happened about half-past 11 this day (Friday).
John De Boos deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day I saw the deceased Henry Bond, and assisted him into my hotel and placed him on a bed, having heard he had been run over. I assisted to undress him. A doctor who was in the township arrived 10 minutes after the accident. In answer to the doctor, deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over his body. The doctor examined deceased and said that he could not do anything for him at the present, that the injuries were internal, and deceased was bleeding internally. Remained with deceased until he expired, which was at 12 o’clock at noon. The doctor, being under engagement to attend a patient at the Broken River was unable to be present at this inquiry.
Thomas Bond, son of John Bond, farmer, residing at the Bald hills, near Violet Town, deposed — At about half-past 12 o’clock to-day (Friday) I received information that my brother Henry Bond was hurt at Euroa. Arrived at Euroa at about 1 o’clock, and then saw my brother dead. He was about 22 years of age, and in the employment of John Wakenshaw.
Patrick Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day from information received I ran from the tollhouse on to the road. I saw Mr Wakenshaw assist Henry Bond off the road. Mr Munroe came up nearly at the same time. I spoke to deceased and asked him what had happened to him. He told me that the wheel of the dray had gone over his loins. He then walked about 70 yards with the assistance of two men to the Seven Creeks Hotel, at which place he was supplied with a bed and other necessaries. His clothing and boots were taken off. Mr Clarke was sent for. The doctor was in attendance in about 12 minutes after he was placed on the bed. From the time of the accident up to his death was about half an hour.
The finding was that the deceased, Henry Bond, was accidentally killed by a loaded dray going over him on the bridge at Euroa.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Friday 1 April 1870, page 2
Inspectors of slaughter yards have been gazetted within the shire of Benalla as follows.:. Constables Patrick Francis Curtin, Euroa;. Timothy Riordan, Violet Town; William Arthur, Benalla, and Augustus Harris Purcell at Longwood.
The Charleville Times of the 11th instant says :- Constable Patrick Curtin was accidentally killed at Adavale through his horse running him against a tree. The deceased had served several years in the Central Division, and was transferred here during the strike.” The deceased was well-known both in Rockhampton and at Mount Morgan, having been stationed at each place for a considerable time. He left here for the south in December last.
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 July 1989
Senior Constable – appointed 9 December 1996
Stations: D 24 General Duties, Traffic Operations Group – Melbourne Metro,
Benalla General Duties, Benalla Traffic Management Unit from 10 November 1997 – Death
Service: From 13 March 1989to 26 December 1998= 8+years Service
Awards: Victoria Police Star – posthumously in 2007. Presented to his sister – SenCon Megan De Winne.
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1969
Died on: Saturday 26 December 1998 about 9.35am
Age: 29
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Urgent Duty -v- Tree
Event location: Midland Hwy, Yin Barun, near Swanpool, Victoria
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: 1/ Benalla Police Station Memorial Garden
2/ Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital
Senior Constable Simon De Winne Plaque Located at 19 Bridge Street West, Police Station, Police Memorial Garden, Benalla, 3672 in Victoria in Australia. GPS Location: Lat: -36.555495 Long: 145.975424
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star
[alert_green]SIMONIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
At 9.35 a.m. on Saturday, 26th December 1998, Senior Constable De Winne was travelling south along the Midland Highway, near Swanpool, intending to intercept a vehicle for a traffic offence. He lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree, killing him instantly.
Simon David De Winne joined Victoria Police on 13th March 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony on 19th July 1989. Simon worked on General Duties, D.24 and the Traffic Operations Group in metropolitan Melbourne before transferring to Benalla General Duties where he was promoted to Senior Constable on 9th December 1996. Senior Constable De Winne then transferred to the Benalla Traffic Management Unit on 10th November 1997.
On Saturday, 26 December 1998, Senior Constable Simon De Winne died on duty when his patrol vehicle collided with a tree on the Midland Highway, 15 kms south of Benalla.
The Victoria Police Star was posthumously awarded to Senior Constable Simon De Winne at graduation ceremony in 2007. The award was presented to Senior Constable De Winne’s sister, Senior Constable Megan De Winne.
——
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne died doing what he loved.
It was 9.35am on Boxing Day, 1998. It was wet and miserable, but Sen Const De Winne was out on our roads working while most of us were at home recovering from an indulgent Christmas feast.
Sen Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Hwy near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. But as he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly.
Almost 15 years on, his brother Nick De Winne said the memories of his best mate were still so vivid and the pain of his tragic and unexpected death still so raw.
As Victorians prepare to remember our 131 fallen officers with National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, Nick paid tribute to the work of his brother and his colleagues.
“Simon was the type of guy who just made the best of every day, he loved life and loved being a police officer,” Nick said.
“I appreciate the work of our police more now, they deal with a lot of ferals every day,” he said. “I definitely do respect them (the police) a whole lot more.”
Nick said his brother’s zest for life continued to be an inspiration.
“Simon lived life to the full and he was just a bag of fun to be around,” he said.
Nick said for Simon joining the police force was his lifelong dream.
“He was like a father figure to us; we grew up without dad so he took me under his wing,” Nick said.
“It is shocking, nothing ever replaces it and no matter what I do I won’t be able to see him or hear him again and that’s the hardest thing.”
Sen Const De Winne joined the Victorian Police on March 13, 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony in July that year.
Like all officers, Sen Const De Winne began his career at the frontline of the force, in general duties in Melbourne before driving his passion into highway patrol.
But when country life took over, Sen Const De Winne transferred to Benalla Police Station where he accepted a general duties position before securing another highway patrol berth.
Sen Const De Winne didn’t just inspire his brother Nick or other brother Byron, he also encouraged his sister Megan to pursue a career within the force.
Megan De Winne is a police officer in Melbourne and has often starred on the television show Highway Patrol.
“Megan failed the first time but after Simon was killed she had more determination than ever to do it and she did,” Nick said.
His legacy continues to live on through Nick and his two mates from the station, Senior Constables Paul Bronsgeest and Richard Cameron.
“I guess I wonder why people speed, why they do it — I ask myself that all the time,” Nick said.
“It’s unnecessary and it’s not cool and it causes trauma. What our family has gone through I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.”
National Police Remembrance Day is on September 29.
Benalla Police will host a ceremony at the station on September 28 from 9.20am. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family.
Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Front Inscription
Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre
Plaque :
The Urgent Health Care Unit at Benalla Health was officially dedicated as a Police Memorial in memory of Senior Constable Simon De Winne, (27590) by Mr William Noonan, OAM Chairman, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation on Thursday, 10th May 2012
Location of Urgent Care Centre: 45 – 53 Coster Street, Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre, Benalla Hospital, Benalla, 3672
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family. Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Benalla Health Report – 2012
Following the refurbishment and reopening of the former emergency department in July, now known as the ‘Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre’, a Dedication Ceremony was held earlier this year by the Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to honour Simon.
The Ceremony was attended by over 100 guests and officiated by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner of Road Policing, Kieran Walshe APM.
We are very fortunate to have a generous community and we are extremely grateful to those who support us through philanthropy, volunteering and membership
of one of our auxiliaries. We sincerely thank them all for their tireless efforts to ensure that both patients and staff are given the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.
The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.
Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.
In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.
Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.
“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.
“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”
Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.
“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.
“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.
He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.
“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.
“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”
Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.
