Roy Francis De Coque
Roy Francis De Coque
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 18403[/alert_yellow]
[alert_yellow]Academy # 92534[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 11 December 1978
Sergeant – suicide
Stations: Police Mounted Unit, Redfern
Service: From ? ? ? pre 11 December 1978 to 9 October 1996 = approximately 17+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 2 February 1995
Born: 3 October 1952 ( http://www.interment.net/data/aus/qld/cooloola/cooloola_coast/cooloola.htm )
Died: 9 October 1996 ( https://www.heavenaddress.com/restingplace/castlebrookmemorialpark/roy-francis-de-coque/21605 )
Age: 44
Cause: Illness – Suicide by firearm ( Service Revolver ) in Change Room of Mounted Unit, Redfern
On Duty / Off Duty?
Funeral: ? date
Funeral location: Castlebrook Lawn Cemetery,
Old Windsor Rd, Rouse Hill, NSW.
Grave site: Cremated at Castlebrook and Ashes collected by family.
Memorial location: Cooloola Coast Cemetery, Rainbow Beach Road, Cooloola Cove, Qld.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS SOUGHT ABOUT THIS DEATH.
[alert_red]Roy is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance



A Day to Remember ( 1983 )
48 minute documentary Written by Michael Daley, Produced by Bruce Buchanan and Production company is ABC.
SYNOPSIS:
Anzac Day, 1983, from dawn to dusk. The coverage includes the Women Against Rape demonstration, and personalities involved are Sir James Rowland, Governor of NSW; the men of the Australian Army’s 8th Division; Gallipoli survivor Charles Bingham; Paul Smith, RSL Chief Marshall of the march; a Legacy family; and Roy de Coque of the NSW Police Academy, with his horse, Dandy.
GENRE:
Cultures – Australian, War
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/find-a-film/detail.aspx?tid=9733
Roy liked Triumph motorcycle and he also enjoyed Blues Music.
Scott Allan GRAY
Scott Allan GRAY
( late of Wangi – formerly of West Wallsend, NSW )
New South Wales Police Force
Goulburn Police Academy Class 263
Regd. # 30399
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 20 August 1995 ( aged 24 years, 9 months, 18 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 16 February 1996 ( aged 25 years, 3 months, 14 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Leading Senior Constable
Stations: Burwood ( 9 Division ), Gosford ( 30 Division ), Lake Macquarie, Toronto
Awards: NSW Police Medal for Diligent & Ethical Service – granted on 13 February 2007
Service ( from Training date ): From 20 August 1995 to 6 September 2007 = 12 years, 0 months, 17 days Service
Born: Monday 2 November 1970
Died: Thursday 6 September 2007
Age: 36 years, 10 months, 4 days
Cause of Death: PTSD leading to suicide – hanging
Funeral date: Wednesday 12 September 2007
Funeral location: Lake Macquarie Memorial Park, Ryhope, NSW
Cremated: with his ashes laid to rest on Mount Sugar Loaf, Newcastle, NSW
Memorial: NSW Police force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, D8 ( Right wall )
Scott is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED RE THIS MEMBER.
Funeral details were first published in the Newcastle Herald on 10 September 2007
NSW Fallen Police facebook page:
Hey Scottie
Thinking about you today mate can’t believe it’s been 7 years since the unbearable became too much. Always wish some miracle intervention had happened but alas, it did not & your decision to leave was made.
Mate so many fun shifts together over the years along with the bad ones & the complete shit fights. You always had my back at a job. Somehow we always managed a laugh irrespective of how bad the job was. Seeing you off was a tough day.
Always remembered Senior Constable
You take care now
I’m sure our paths will cross again one day.
Cheers to you!
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Peter Gould A fine epitaph for a fallen brother. RIP Scott Gray. Well done Dave Wilkinson.Like · Reply · 4 · Yesterday at 2:18pm

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Dave Wilkinson Thanks PeterLike · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 2:27pm

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Clare Heiss This is just beautiful to see you honour Scott with these words. As the sister of a police officer who also took his life on duty, I can imagine the family would feel so comforted to see this post also. RIP Scott, you are in good company xxLike · Reply · 5 · Yesterday at 2:33pm

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Janet Hill RIP Scot!Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 2:33pm

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Junelle Doherty What wonderful words.
Well said.
Amen !Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 2:34pm
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Dave Wilkinson Thank you Clare for saying so just find it hard that it really still is a taboo topic. Especially when you here management talk it up for the media but in reality they don’t give a damnLike · Reply · 5 · Yesterday at 2:36pm
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Clare Heiss Exactly Dave, that’s why our family and others will continue to speak out for those that cannot – until they are honoured as they should be on the Wall, and so the Police Force acknowledge their deaths as well as their lives. #onewallforallLike · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 2:40pmMac McGillicuddy Beautiful words Dave Wilkinson.
Vale S/Con Scott Gray.Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 2:40pm
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Michelle Madirazza RIP Scott Gray!Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 3:11pm

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Keith Brennan RIP brotherLike · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 3:31pm · Edited

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Kimberley Galvin A beautiful post and so lovely to see that Scott is close at heart even though some years have passed. As a Police widow to suicide this shows me love and comfort. What a great mate you are.xLike · Reply · 4 · Yesterday at 4:01pm
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Dave Wilkinson Thank you for your kind words KimberleyLike · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 7:48pm

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M-ark W-aspee Well said mate… RIP brother in blue…Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 4:03pm

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Frank Skinner Well doneLike · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 4:18pm

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Sharon Johnson Nichols RIP ScottLike · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 4:26pm

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Paul Glock RIP.Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 5:14pm

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Mark Kitchener I never knew you Scott but I hope you Rest in Peace and thank you for your service.Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 5:23pm

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Andy Peverill well said brother I am sure no one will speak of me like that. Rest in Peace ScottLike · Reply · 3 · Yesterday at 5:35pm
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Dave Wilkinson Your getting stronger everyday Andy & not going anywhere so nobody will need to speak about you wink emoticonLike · Reply · 3 · 13 hrs

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Kel Nightingale Well said Dave. The ‘real’ Police family will always remember the other forgotten heroes. Rest in peace brother in blueLike · Reply · 3 · Yesterday at 7:44pm

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Stuart Norris Rip ScottLike · Reply · 1 · 22 hrs

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Val Turner R.I.P.Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs

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Amanda Stevenson RIP ScottLike · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Garry William COLLIS
Garry William COLLIS
AKA Gaz
Late of ?
Father to Dave COLLIS # ?????
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 123
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 1987
Regd. # 14192
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 22 May 1970
Constable 1st Class – appointed 22 June 1975 ( loss of 1 month Seniority )
Sergeant – appointed 14 February 1986
Final Rank = Sergeant
Stations: ?, Hamilton?, Mayfield?, Wallsend
Service: From ? ?pre May 1970 ? to ? ? 1999 = 29 years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Sgt )
1st Clasp to the National Medal – granted 2 December 1995 ( Sgt )
Born: Tuesday 1 July 1947
Died on: Tuesday 23 December 2008
Age: 61 yrs 5 mths 22 days
Cause: Depression – Suicide
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Tuesday 30 December 2008
Funeral location: St Peter’s Anglican Church, William St, East Maitland @ 2pm
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: East Maitland Cemetery, Raymond Terrace Rd, East Maitland
Grave Location: CofE, Section 31, Plot 60 ( double depth grave )
Headstone inscription: In The Arms Of The Angels Garry William Collis ‘Gaz’ 1st July 1947 – 23rd December 2008 Aged 61 Years Our Much Loved & Loving Husband Of Yvonne Devoted Dad & Pa We Will Love You Never Forget You And Always Be With You You’ll Be In Our Hearts Forever
Memorial located at: ?
GARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
GARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
GARRY COLLIS
Aged 61 Years
Of East Maitland
Devoted husband of YVONNE,
beloved father and father-in-law of PAUL and DEBORAH, DAVID and GILLIAN, YVETTE and PETER, PHILLIP and KYLIE,
adored Pa of JOSHUA and SAMUEL; SARAH and MADELINE; EMILY and DYLAN and much anticipated child of Phillip and Kylie.
Loved brother of GRAHAM, loved brother-in-law of LYN, KEVIN and ROS, AINSLIE and ROB and loved uncle of their FAMILIES.
Respected former member of the NSW Police Force and loved friend to many.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Service in Celebration of GARRY`s Life at St Peter`s Anglican Church, William St, East Maitland today TUESDAY 30th December 2008 at 2pm.
A private burial will follow.
Flowers would be appreciated but donations to Beyond Blue would be preferred and may be left at the Church.
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
http://www.onlinememorials.com.au/detail.asp?Ref=6776
FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED RE THIS MEMBER.

Suicide attempts
Known NSW POLICE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS
[divider]
INCIDENT ONE
Suicidal officer with a gun, but this time tragedy averted
THE desperate officer arrived at Earlwood police station yesterday afternoon via a rear courtyard, got his service pistol, returned to his car and put the gun in his mouth.
But a crucial phone call saved him. Minutes earlier, the officer, a 39-year-old senior constable with the highway patrol, had phoned a fellow officer in despair.
This call, about 2.15pm, generated immediate confusion, as police prepared for a siege. Soon the area around Earlwood’s highway patrol headquarters was cordoned off and swarming with about 50 police, including members of the State Protection Group and an armoured van.
Negotiators were brought in, as hundreds of onlookers crowded the Earlwood shopping strip.
After a “delicate and sensitive” stand-off lasting nearly three hours, the negotiators persuaded the officer to surrender at 5.05pm.
“The fact that there was some contact with another officer – perhaps it was a cry for help by the officer that has prevented this from ending tragically,” a police official told the Herald last night.
The acting Assistant Commissioner, Frank Mennilli, confirmed the phone call had probably saved the situation, but could shed no light on why the officer, a married man who had been in the force for 20 years, might want to take his life.
At least seven NSW police officers have committed suicide since 2001, five of them in a police station. More police have died from suicide while on duty than any other cause.
Last month the Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, expressed his concern at the rate of suicides and the need for commanders to recognise symptoms and intervene. He said senior officers would be trained to recognise psychological distress. “It may be that by taking an early intervention role we can lead people into the right programs,” he said.
Mr Moroney added that many police had been reluctant to seek help about personal problems while coping with the pressures of their job.
Officers at Sutherland and Menai are still struggling to explain why a new recruit, Constable Greg Norman Lundberg, 29, fatally shot himself while working alone in the station at Menai in January. He left no note and did not appear depressed to his colleagues.
At Chatswood police station in November 2005, Detective Senior Constable Patrick Cleary shot himself dead before colleagues arrived for work.
And in August 2004, Detective Sergeant Steve Leach killed himself with his pistol at police headquarters at Parramatta.
Following yesterday’s stand-off, Mr Mennilli said outside Earlwood police station: “There was a telephone call made
to another officer and the police responded to that telephone call.”
The officer was taken into custody and his health and welfare needs will be assessed.
[divider]
Event location:
[codepeople-post-map]
[divider]
INCIDENT TWO
NSW Police officer in suspected suicide
- Date
The NSW Police Force has been rocked by the actions of another apparently suicidal officer.
This time a high-ranking officer is in a coma hospital after trying to commit suicide in a hotel room, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Superintendent Paul Nolan, 54, was recently suspended from the force because he is under investigation by the Police Integrity Commission.
He was found unconscious about midnight on Tuesday.
The nature of the PIC investigation is unclear.
This latest incident comes after Commissioner Ken Moroney last week expressed concerns about mental health issues among the force, publicly telling his officers that it was “OK to cry“.
In January, 29-year-old Constable Greg Lundberg committed suicide with his pistol in Menai police station due to personal problems.
Last month a 39-year-old senior constable barricaded himself inside Earlwood police station and threatened to take his life.
Earlier this month, 27-year-old Constable Nathan Hearps from Quakers Hill plunged to his death from a Surry Hills apartment block, News Ltd reports.
http://news.smh.com.au/national/nsw-police-officer-in-suspected-suicide-20070510-bx0.html
[divider]
INCIDENT THREE
From Berrick Boland – Saturday 11 June 2016 – 8.21pm
Hi Member and Guests,
Have just got off the phone with 2 ex police and friends of our member, M………..I………… of P……………, she has been admitted by Ambulance to ……………… hospital last night after calling Lifeline and then the Ambulance.
She has apparently stated to her friends at the hospital today, she took 2’300 mgs of the pain killer Lyrica prescribed for her back injury received while on duty with the NSW Police force, she has been using a walking cradle for the last 2 years.
She further stated to her friends, she had researched the effects of overdosing on Lyrica on the internet and ascertained a certain dose would leave her in a vegetative state and she didn’t want that, it was death or nothing, when she had reached swallowing at least 8 from her memory, she stated to have a floating sensation and her family and niece’s started to flash in her mind and she started to get scared, she called Lifeline and told them, she states they told her to get off the phone and call an ambulance, which she did, the ambulance arrived and conveyed her to ………………. hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.
Apparently her blood pressure was extremely high and they needed to stabalise that last night fearing a stroke and she has agreed at this stage to remain in hospital until further specialists can see her after the long weekend on Tuesday.
The main reason given to her friends, EML Insurance were pushing her to visit another IME which she says was unnecessary and she only receives $440,00 pw, and couldn’t afford the $100.00 taxi fare,EML insistedshe pay up front and they would reimburse her later?.
Admin.
[divider]
INCIDENT FOUR
Struggling ex-cops given a lifeline in NSW
By AAP
Detective Senior Constable Allan Sparkes was a celebrated rescue hero and recipient of the highest honour for civilian bravery when he decided to end his life.
“It was October 4, 1998. I kissed my wife and goodbye and went to work with my revolver. I pulled one of the bullets out and had a look at it for a few seconds, before putting it back in,” he told a roomful of the state’s top brass at the launch of a support program on Wednesday.
“Then I walked off to the bathroom to shoot myself.”
A colleague walked in just in time, taking the gun out of his hands and helping him home.
Only a few months earlier, Mr Sparkes became one of only six Australians to win the Cross of Valour after risking his life to rescue an 11-year-old boy washed down a drainpipe during flash flooding.
He almost drowned in that rescue, and the trauma from that added to a lifetime of exposure to brutal crimes and accident scenes, pushing the “strong, tough” policeman to the brink.
However, the moment that hit him the hardest was when he was discharged from the police force against his own will.
“To receive a phone call saying you’re out, that was probably one of the most damaging experiences I’ve ever endured,” he said.
“I had to find my worth again, to prove to myself that I was still a man, a husband, a father capable of protecting and looking after my loved ones.”
Now a motivational speaker and Black Dog ambassador, Mr Sparkes says a program such as Backup for Life, launched by the NSW Police Force on Wednesday, would have helped struggling policemen like him recover from trauma suffered in the line of duty.
The program aims to support retired cops who struggle with isolation and a lack of purpose, as well as their psychological and physical scars.
The launch comes days after revelations that a culture of shame and silence towards mental health and PTSD issues still abounds in the NSW Police.
Police Minister Troy Grant acknowledged the cultural issues but said the force was still evolving in its processes for dealing with trauma.
He drew upon his own experiences “dancing with shadows” during his 22-year policing, saying if he hadn’t received professional help he wouldn’t have made it through.
The NSW government has contributed $2 million to the program.
* Former NSW police officers seeking support can contact 1800 4 BACKUP
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
© AAP 2016
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/08/03/11/09/forgotten-ex-cops-in-nsw-given-lifeline#OwY828vEHeZVR0p5.99
James Edward BOND
James Edward BOND
AKA ?
Late of Toongabbie, NSW
“possible” relation in ‘the job’: ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 159
New South Wales Police Force
ProCst # 92220
Regd. # 18092
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 17 April 1978 ( aged 19 years, 2 months, 10 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 26 June 1978 ( aged 19 years, 4 months, 19 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 26 June 1983
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 26 June 1987
Final Rank: = Senior Constable
Stations: ?, PCYC, ?, M.O. Unit – Discharged Medically Unfit
Service: From 17 April 1978 to ? ? ? ( Medically Unfit ) = ? years Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 7 May 1994 ( SenCon )
Born: Saturday 7 February 1959
Died on: Friday 14 October 2005
Age: 46 years, 8 months, 7 days
Organ Donor: Y / N / ?
Cause: Depression – Suicide – Method?
Event location: Home
Event date: Friday 14 October 2005
Funeral date: 24 October 2005
Funeral location: ? TBA
Grave Location: GL62 – General Lawn 62, Grave 0007
any Future Wake location: ???
any Future Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Botany Cemetery, Military Rd, Matraville, NSW
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( November 2022 )
JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, NSW *NEED MORE INFO
JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra ( checked – Nov. 2022 )
JAMES IS NOT mentioned on the Sydney Police Centre Memorial Wall, Surry Hills ( checked – Nov. 2022 )
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWFallenPolice/
Australian Police YouTube Channel
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
**********
Cal
8 November 2022
Steve WOODS
Steve ‘ Splinter ‘ WOODS
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Sergeant ?
Regd. # 18000’s ?
Stations: Forensic Services Group, Fingerprints, Parramatta
Illness – Suicide – drowning at Kyeemagh, near Sydney airport.
Born: ?
Died: ? between 1999 – 2001 before Fingerprints moved from
Fergusson Centre to HQ, Charles St, Parramatta.
Funeral details: ?
Info from Charlie Dag. on 24 November 2014
[alert_red]Steve is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION NEEDED.
Russell RAWSON
Russell RAWSON
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: ?
Regd. # ?
Stations: M.O. Unit
Awards: ?
Service: From ? to ?
Illness – Suicide – firearm – Meadowbank park
Born: ?
Died: ? early 1990’s
Funeral details: ?
[alert_red]Russell is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Info from Charlie Dag. on 24 November 2014
FURTHER INFORMATION NEEDED.
Ryan David WEAVER
Ryan David WEAVER
AKA ?
Late of Coffs Harbour, NSW
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class # 259
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 29664
Rank: Commenced at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 22 August 1994
Probationary Constable – Friday 17 February 1995
?
Final Rank: ?
Stations: Ermington, Granville until 1999 then transferred to Coffs Harbour – GDs & OSG
Service: From 22 August 1994 to 17 January 2000 = 5+ years Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours
Born: Wednesday 24 April 1974
Died Monday 17 January 2000
Age: 25 yrs 8 mths
Cause: Illness – Suicide – Hanging
Event location: Home
Event date: Monday 17 January 2000
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Dawson River Cemetery, ( off Lansdowne Rd Taree ), Cundletown, NSW
Grave location: Portion: Flower Garden, Row 1, In the flower garden in the roundabout at the end of the road in (Dawson River Cemetery Road)
Ryan is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Ryan was due to commence day shift at Coffs Harbour Police Station on the 17 January 2000 but was late for his shift.
His house mate, another Policeman, was at Coffs Harbour waiting for Ryan to relieve him from his night shift. His mate phoned Ryan to ask why he was late and Ryan told him that he was leaving now and would be at the station shortly.
When Ryan failed to turn up half hour after the conversation, his house mate went home to ascertain what the problem was, only to find Ryan had hung himself in the garage.
Ryan was 25 years of age.
May he forever Rest In Peace.
Peter James McGRATH
Peter James McGRATH
New South Wales Police Force
Member of Police Academy Class 227
Regd. # 23807
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1987
Constable – appointed 26 June 1988
Detective Senior Constable – Death
Stations: Petersham ( 1987 ) – 11 Division, Annandale Police Station
Service: From Pre June 1987 to 15 June 1995 = 8+ years Service
Awards: ? Nil
Born: 11 April 1963
Died on: 15 June 1995
Cause: Suicide – jumped from 7th floor
Event location: Camperdown, NSW
Age: 32
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location:
Buried at: Cremated at Rookwood
At 4.15pm on 15 June, 1995 the senior constable fell to his death from a building in Glebe. He was off duty and on sick leave at the time. It was later determined that he was suffering from work related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety as a result of his policing experiences.
The senior constable was born in 1963 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 June, 1987.
This member IS mentioned on the National Police Memorial Wall.
Death Of Detective Constable Peter McGrath
| About this Item | |
| Speakers | Gallacher The Hon Michael |
| Business | Adjournment, Condolence |
DEATH OF DETECTIVE CONSTABLE PETER McGRATH
The Hon. M. J. GALLACHER [4.49]: I bring to the attention of all honourable members yet another example of bureaucracy gone wrong. On 17 August 1992 Detective Constable Peter McGrath attended the scene of an armed robbery in progress at the Associazione Polysportiva Italo-Australiana club, the APIA club. Offenders were present and were armed. They had taken eight hostages and were in the process of collecting $60,000 from the armed robbery when the police arrived. It was a classic stand-off situation, with the offenders and police pointing loaded firearms at each other. The cool head of this officer and his partner resulted in both offenders eventually giving up. On 26 November 1992 Detective McGrath together with another officer whilst off duty were viciously attacked by approximately 12 males, resulting in serious injury to Detective McGrath’s companion and grave psychological illness to himself.
During the course of Detective McGrath’s duty he attended a domestic situation in which a mother and her de facto partner had placed a baby into a bath of boiling water before picking the skin off the baby and putting it to bed. The baby died a few months afterwards. Detective McGrath had to attend the post mortem. At the time of the trial of the offenders the detective’s wife had given birth to a son. In May 1993, as a result of the assault in November 1992, Detective McGrath began to show signs of depression, which were accepted by the Police Service as illness related to the course of his duty. His doctor supplied information to the Police Service regarding his illness and it was accepted that he had been hurt on duty.
By June 1995 Detective McGrath’s psychological condition had deteriorated. He believed that he was being followed by personnel from the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service. He believed that he was going to be set up by police in relation to a crime. On 15 June 1995 he went to work at Annandale with the purpose of resigning. Detective McGrath’s supervisor realised that he was suffering from depression, talked him out of handing in his resignation and sent him home on annual leave. Later that afternoon Detective McGrath told his wife that he was going to resign. He left his home but instead of attending the police station he went to a high-rise block of flats in Camperdown and jumped to his death.
Contrary to rumours, Detective McGrath was not the subject of any royal commission inquiry, and I am in possession of correspondence to that effect from Mr Michael Finnane, QC, who represents the Police Service at the royal commission. Detective McGrath’s integrity is not in question. The Police Service and the people of New South Wales can ill afford to lose police of the calibre of Detective McGrath. I resigned from the Police Service and within three weeks received my superannuation payment. Detective McGrath died on 15 June 1995 but his wife did not receive his superannuation payment until August 1996 – 14 months after his death. On 26 June 1996 she received a letter from the Police Service telling her that his death was not as a result of his police work.
Detective McGrath has left a wife and two children, Kata aged four and David who is now two. His wife must go it alone without any support from the Police Service. I have written to the Commissioner of Police in regard to the appalling treatment that this woman has received and I look forward to hearing from him that the decision made earlier this year will be reversed. On 19 September 1996 Mrs McGrath personally filed an application for determination with the Compensation Court of New South Wales to challenge the decision of the Police Service so that she might be entitled to a pension. She has to pay for those proceedings herself. The money that Mrs McGrath is using is money from the family, money that would be better used for the children.
I do not believe that this case has been accorded the credit to which it is certainly entitled. The Commissioner of Police must immediately reinvestigate this matter to ensure that Mrs McGrath is treated justly. It is important that all wives and husbands and all children whose fathers and mothers work for the Police Service know that if they are unfortunate enough to lose their loved ones they will be protected. Psychological illness does not disbar an officer from consideration for compensation from the Police Service. I firmly believe that this matter is one that deserves just consideration and I hope that the Commissioner of Police accords it such consideration expeditiously.
Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at 4.53 p.m. until Tuesday, 29 October 1996, at 2.30 p.m.
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC19961024053
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/holding-judgement/2007/06/08/1181089328815.html?page=fullpage
It took up 451 hearing days, heard from 902 public witnesses and cost an estimated $64 million. Malcolm Brown reports on the Wood royal commission, 10 years on.
It began on June 15, 1995, when an unnamed Annandale detective jumped to his death from the seventh floor of a building, apparently through fear of the Wood royal commission. The detective’s suicide was followed by those of Ray Jenkins, a dog trainer (July 10), and Inspector Robert Tait, the acting patrol commander at Narrabri ( March 29, 1996 ). Nineteen days later a former Wollongong alderman, Brian Tobin, gassed himself.
On May 8 the same year, Peter Foretic gassed himself the day after giving evidence about pedophilia. On September 23, Detective Senior Constable Wayne Johnson shot himself and his estranged wife after being adversely named in the royal commission. On November 4, David Yeldham, a retired judge about to face the royal commission on questions of sexual impropriety, killed himself. A month later Danny Caines, a plumber and police confidant, committed suicide at Forster, on the North Coast.
Altogether, 12 people enmeshed in the Wood royal commission took their own lives. Scores of others were so profoundly affected by proceedings that their supporters and families believe it shortened their lives. A former detective, Greg Jensen, suffered a recurrence of the stomach cancer that ultimately ended his life, while another former detective, Ray McDougall, who faced the threat that commission investigators might expose his extramarital affair if he did not co-operate, succumbed to motor neurone disease.
There is no doubt that the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service, headed by the Supreme Court judge James Wood, purged the force of a rollcall of rotters. A total of 284 police officers were adversely named, 46 briefs of evidence were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and by 2001 nine officers had pleaded guilty to corruption offences and three not guilty. Seven police officers received jail sentences, including the former Gosford drug squad chief Wayne Eade and a former chief of detectives, Graham “Chook” Fowler.
Several high-profile police ended their careers in disgrace, including Ray Donaldson, an assistant commissioner, whose contract was not renewed, and Bob Lysaught, the commissioner’s chief of staff, whose contract was torn up. Charges against 14 officers were dismissed because of irregularities in search warrants and their execution.
That left the question of what to do with police who were on the nose but who could not be brought to account by normal means. The solution was the creation of section 181B of the Police Service Act, under which the police commissioner could dismiss an officer on the basis of what had come out of the royal commission. Section 181D allowed the police commissioner to serve an officer with a notice indicating that he “does not have confidence in the police officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer”. The officer could show cause as to why he should be retained, and if dismissed could appeal to the Industrial Relations Tribunal.
Another former policeman, Dr Michael Kennedy, says the commission was a political response to the police commissioner, Tony Lauer, bringing about the downfall of the then police minister, Ted Pickering.
The attorney-general, ministry and judiciary took little responsibility for the state of the force, Kennedy says, while the responsibility of the police rank-and-file grew to “the size of a Pacific driftnet”. “I don’t think the royal commission contributed anything to the reform process except to provide a template for double standards,” he says.
CRUSADER WHO MADE THE CALL
JOHN HATTON well remembers the audience on May 11, 1994, when he made his speech calling for a royal commission into the NSW Police Service. MPs were listening, of course, but it was a gallery above him, packed with the “top brass of the police force – the commissioner himself, the deputy commissioner, superintendents – they were an intimidating force on the Parliament”.
“They thought they could stare down the Labor Party support for my motion,” Hatton, now retired, says. “It was probably the best indicator of the way in which the police force thought they could control the agenda.”
Hatton won the day, putting paid to a claim by then police commissioner, Tony Lauer, that “systemic corruption” was “a figment of the political imagination”. Hearings started on November 24, 1994, and Justice James Wood delivered his final report on August 26, 1997.
Ten years later, Hatton believes he was vindicated. He says Wood was “the right man” to head the commission and the recruitment of interstate police was crucial, along with the decision to use phone taps and surveillance.
The 11 volumes of material Hatton gave the royal commission had been accumulated over 14 years, he says, from the time he had first spoken up. He had received information on illegal gambling, drug trafficking and police involvement with the mafia.
There had been earlier moves to address police corruption, including inquiries by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, but these had only scratched the surface. “I can remember on one occasion I reported a death threat which had to do with the McKay murder in Griffith and 48 hours later the bloke who had given the information was threatened by a shotgun at his door in Queensland,” Hatton says.
The royal commission came into being because Hatton and other independent MPs held the balance of power in Parliament. The Labor Party may have had high public motives, but also saw a chance to attack the Fahey government. Labor stipulated that an inquiry into police protection of pedophiles, previously in the hands of the ICAC, become part of the royal commission.
The process of gathering information was helped greatly by Trevor Haken, a detective who became an informer and covert investigator as part of a deal to avoid being prosecuted himself.
Hatton says Haken‘s entry was “out of the blue”. Though useful, in the long term it had had a detrimental effect on the fight against corruption. Living in fear and watching his back, Haken had provided “the greatest disincentive for someone coming forward to finger corruption in the system”.
Malcolm Brown
Scott Andrew NICHOLSON
Scott Andrew NICHOLSON
New South Wales Police Force – Resigned
ProCst # 94539
Regd. # 20237
Redfern Police Academy Class 182 B
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy with Class 182B on Monday 8 March 1982
Probationary Constable – appointed 28 May 1982
Constable 1st Class – appointed 28 May 1987
Detectives Training Course 28/ 20 May – 28 June 1991
Senior Constable – level 9 upon Resignation
“possibly” Acting Detective Sergeant – Resigned
After resignation ( due to PTSD ) Scott was a Ranger with Liverpool Council until his death
Stations: Campbelltown ( 1980’s ), Camden, Bulga, Fraud Squad, Child Mistreatment Unit
Service: From ? February 1982 to ? ? 1996 = 14 years, 8 months, 6 days Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Illness: – PTSD – Suicide – carbon monoxide gassing in vehicle
Born: Saturday 4 April 1959 in Temora, NSW
Died: Thursday 14 November 1996
Age: 37 years, 7 months, 10 days
Funeral: Leppington Lawn Cemetery, NSW
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Buried at: Cremated & Resting in the Fountain Garden, Nicholson plot,
Location: Beside Cafe Pagona Area
Section: Gazebo 3 bed 3
Lot:
Lat/Lng: -33.95538, 150.83279

I was once a Policeman,
I served you for years,
I saw so much pain,
It reduced me to tears.
I saved many lives,
Did the best I could do,
I served with distinction,
All to protect you.
Year after year,
Without self regard,
I lived for the job,
No matter how hard.
The toll it was taking,
Eventually broke through,
My brain now was broken,
I did not know what to do.
I keep telling myself,
It will get better in time,
Just keep pushing yourself,
All will be fine.
But it did not get better,
It only got worse,
The trauma I suffered,
Became my own curse.
It brought to an end,
The job that I live,
I can’t do this anymore,
No more I could give.
The pain did not stop,
In fact it just grew,
The demons took over,
I did not know what to do.
I was empty inside,
Lost and in pain,
I tried to fight on,
But I could no longer remain.
The trauma had won,
I saw no other way,
So I took my own life,
On a cool summer day.
It was because of Policing,
You all know it’s true,
It destroyed who I was,
From the things I went through.
The trauma of death,
Seen hundreds of times,
The witnessing of evil,
The wickedest of crimes.
Yet now I’m forgotten,
By the job I died for,
Even though I gave my all,
After everything I saw.
If I had died on duty,
Answering the same call,
You would all see my name,
My name on the wall.
I was still on duty,
I just could not let go,
I was still a Policeman,
My brain made it so…..
Written 12.2.15.
[alert_red]Scott is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
SCOTT ( as of 2017 ) IS mentioned on the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance
SCOTT ( as of March 2019 ) IS NOT mentioned on the NATIONAL Police Wall of Remembrance – Canberra * BUT SHOULD BE
* Stemming from the continued work of the wives & parents of four Fallen NSW Police to Suicide – those four names will now be included in the newly refurbished NSW Police Wall of Remembrance, Sydney, as of 2017
Congratulations to those family members who fought the fight to right this wrong.
*
Police Officer Suicide Should Be Included on The Wall Of Remembrance added 4 new photos — feeling accomplished.
Commissioner Scipione has telephoned each of us today to advise that our loved ones names are being added to the replacement NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance, to be unveiled in the next few weeks.
We would like to thank everyone who has offered support over a long and difficult journey and truly hope this sets a precedent for all police departments, not only in Australia but the global policing community.
It is so very important to remember that policing can and often does have a detrimental effect on those who serve.
We believe that the inclusion of suicide deaths, stemming from a work related psychological injury, is the most compassionate way of showing that the police hierarchy truly cares.
The following names will be added:
Detective Sergeant Ashley Bryant
Sergeant Tom Galvin
Senior Constable Scott Nicholson
Constable Morgan Hill
Scott was a member of the New South Wales Police Force for 13 years and, suffering from the effects of PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ) took his own life on the 14 November 1996 by gassing himself in a car and leaving behind two children, aged 6 & 9 ( at the time ) and a wife.
Scott worked at various stations such as Campbelltown in the 1980’s, Camden and the One Man station at Bulga before leaving the Police Force and gaining employment as a Ranger with Liverpool Council.
PLEASE EVERYONE I ASK THAT YOU TAKE THE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIVES TO READ MY STORY. I’M LISA NICHOLSON AND MY FATHER WAS SCOTT NICHOLSON.
PLEASE JUST READ LIKE AND SHARE!!!!!!!!
[blockquote]Hi my name’s Lisa Nicholson and my father is Scott Nicholson. They say we are one big police family and we look after our own yet they don’t even care to see the damage there doing. My dad suicided when I was just 6 years old he was my world my life my everything. The day he died my world fell apart and the older I got the harder it hit me. I suffered and battled countless years of depression, I was raped and beat as a child and teenager and I had the balls to follow this through with court. But, tragically, all of this led to many suicide attempts.
Thankfully my dad had my back though I actually believed the world was so awful and painful that I belonged with my dad. I had a very hard time seeing other officers thinking that’s my dad he is as good a officer as you, yet why is he not remembered!??
He was so proud to be an officer and truly lived through his work right to the end! The end that the line of work he did helped drive him too!!! He worked his ass off to get the respect and acknowledgement that he gained and I’ve always been so proud to say that my daddy was a police officer!! Yet here these ass wipes are claiming that everything my father worked for his whole life everything he believed in and followed isn’t recognised. They claim that we’re one big family and in truth it has felt like that thanks to police legacy but then there’s the fact that I’ve got to, every single day, deal with the emotional grief that I will never see my daddy again and then there’s the fact that the man I love so much and am so proud to say he was an officer will never meet my daughter and my daughter will never meet her grandfather and that, in itself, has me pretty low but on top of all that these guys wanna destroy me; even more, give me no choice and take whatever is left in me to fight to have my daddy’s name on the police Remembrance wall; a wall that all our fallen officers are on, all except the ones who took things into there own hands. We’re one big family yet not only has their line of work taken my father and my daughters grandfather but they wanna take everything that I’ve left because they won’t respect what they’d say “one of our own” my dad deserves that respect and so do so many others and again they say we’re one big family but can they even see that their own choices, actions are killing us even more!!!!
I know I’m not the only one but I can only speak on behalf of myself. I wanna know why?? my daddy, the man that the only image I can recall is of him in his uniform, the man who tragically lost his life, the man who they claim death is not tragic enough to be remembered. Why??? I wanna know why?? my dad’s dead the same as officers who’ve died in the line of duty. Dead not coming back; he died from the pain and suffering from his job and they die in the line of duty but they’re telling me my dad’s death isn’t good enough or tragic enough.
No wonder half the population have lost faith in these guys. I will continue to support and stand tall and for as long as I can with everyone else and I won’t ever stop speaking out.
Your secret is no longer!
He will be remembered.
Thank you for reading my story. Please like and share this around. The more this gets around the more I hope will get in their face and finally remember all our lost men and women.
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