( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
MARTY 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.
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
23 March 2021
Brian Cecil MELENE
23/03/2021
Brian Cecil MELENE
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 093
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 10438
Service: From? ? pre Oct 1962? to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 29 October 1962
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 29 October 1967
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 20 October 1971
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 December 1978
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 31 March 1985
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?,
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 November 1980 ( Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
Born: Tuesday 28 September 1937
Died on: Saturday 13 March 2021
Age: 83 years, 5 months, 13 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 18 March 2021 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Hogbin Dve Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
BRIAN 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.
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
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
17 March 2021
Donna Michelle HARDY ( MADDEN )
23/03/2021
Donna Michelle HARDY nee MADDEN
AKA Donna HARDY, Donna MADDEN
Late of Evans Head, NSW
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – Class # 233
Last of the Pre ’88ers in relation to Police Superannuation changing on 1 April 1988
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 25055
Service: From 4 January 1988 to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 4 January 1988 ( aged 24 years, 9 months, 14 days )( 2 months, 21 days spent at Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed Friday 25 March 1988 ( aged 25 years, 10 days
Constable – appointed 25 March 1989
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable ?
Stations: ?, Lismore ( GDs )( 2003 ), ?
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: No Find on the Australian Honours system
Born: Friday 15 March 1963
Died on: Saturday 6 March 2021
Age: 57 years, 11 months, 19 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 17 March 2021 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: Graveside, Evans Head Lawn Cemetery, Evans Head, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Binney Family Funerals, Lismore, NSW 02 6622 2420
Donna Passed away suddenly, late of Evans Head, aged 57 years.
Much loved daughter of Christine & Edwin (bub).
Loving twin sister of Melissa, and Mark (Dec’d).
Loved by her family and friends.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Donna’s graveside funeral service, to be held at the Evans Head Lawn Cemetery, Wednesday 17th March 2021 commencing at 10:30 AM.
All guests will be required to comply with NSW government Covid legislation and Covid plan requirements. Please remain seated and ensure social distance standards are maintained during the service.
Attendees are also required to self-check in by mandatory QR Code. Please attend with a suitable mobile phone and ability or support to comply with this requirement.
Seating preferences will be given to family and their invited guests.
EVANS HEAD FUNERALS
JANET PAYNE
0412 955 574
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.
Time in Retirement from Police: 32 years, 7 months, 25 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Former Chief Insp. )
Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted
Commendations: 1/ Commended for his role in the search for Kevin John SIMMONS & Leslie Allen NEWCOMBE who escaped from Long Bay Gaol in October 1959.
2/ Commended for his role in the search under arduous conditions for William LITTLE, who was wanted for the murder of Sergeant 3/c C. E. HOWE ( # 8663 ) and Reginald HUNTER.
3/ Commended for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty at Bombala on the 25th and 26th May, 1978, when he took control of a Police operation designed to obtain the surrender of Wayne WHITE who was armed with a rifle and was defying all attempts to capture him. During this operation Constable 1/c L.T.D. BODDY ( # 14387 ) & M.W. CASEY ( # 15288 ) were wounded by shots fired by the offender, who eventually surrendered to Police.
Born: Sunday 4 June 1933
Died on: Monday 1 March 2021
Age: 87 years, 8 months, 25 days
Cause: ?
Event location: Karinya Palliative Care Unit, Berry, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 11 March 2021 @ 11am
Funeral location: The Chapel, Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens, Worrigee Road, Worrigee, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
Eric EDGECOMBE with Sgt Sean PHILLIPS outside of Nowra Police Stn – 22 July 2020 INSPIRATION: Retiring Sergeant Sean Phillips with his first “boss”, former Chief Inspector Eric Edgecombe, who worked together in Cootamundra in 1987.
ERIC 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.
My first memories are of living in Bombala across the road from Eric and Marie.
Like Anthony, I too remember milking the cow ( Clarabel ).
A lovely, ornery old thing that would repeatedly kick the bucket over.
As a very small child however, I also remember being allowed to ride her around the paddock.
Eric (as well as Marie) was a constant and reassuring presence in my early years.
Gruff, cheeky, but with a heart of gold, I would usually find him tending to the garden (when I wasn’t in the kitchen trying to cadge baked goods from Marie).
I’d like to think those early years of being outside with him have helped fuel my enjoyment of getting out into the garden now. I’m fairly sure he was responsible for my entire family’s obsession with Backgammon, a game that always comes out whenever we get together. He was fiendishly good at it though. I always revelled in those rare occasions where I managed to take a game from him. I also like to think he was at least partly responsible for my love of old soul, jazz and blues music. Nina Simone was a particular favourite if I remember correctly.
Eric was always a strong and steady presence in our lives when we were growing up. He was like a grandfather to my siblings and I, at a time when we lived a long way from our actual grandparents.
Thanks for all the great times, strange pastimes I’ve picked up, and enduring life lessons.
I remember Eric very well, having worked with him as a young Constable at Bombala.
He introduced me to milking his cow whilst he was away, he told me it was a police cow and milking it was part of my duties, ha ha. I loved it so much I have never been near a cow since, I can’t recall how many times the #$+** thing kicked me.
He also introduced me to his bees, I recall driving out to their location with Eric one day and him telling me it was all good as they wouldn’t attack, several bees stings later I hid in the car. Needless to say I stay away from them as well.
He was a strict Sergeant with no middle ground, however he was a fair man, as I recall.
As a young Constable on my own in a new town I was often invited to join Eric, Marie and family at their home for a roast dinner.
Bombala was surrounded by many gravel roads in those days and accidents were common place, I know he and Marie offered accommodations to many a stranded traveller following a vehicle accident.
That was how they were and that is how I found Eric strict, but loyal and a concerned member of his community.
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
2 March 2021
Vincent FALLINS
23/03/2021
Vincent FALLINS
AKA Vince FALLINS
Late of Sunshine Coast, Qld – previously of Newcastle area, NSW
You have to draw a line in the sand
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 134
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 4849
Regd. # 15664
Service: From 26 February 1973 to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 26 February 1973 ( aged 25 years, 5 months, 16 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 2 April 1973 ( aged 25 years, 6 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 2 April 1982
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
National Service: Yes – Royal Australian Infantry Corps. 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
Follow Up Training:?
Basic Training: ?
Next of Kin: ?
Medals: None for display
Vince served with 2 Section, 1 Platoon, A Company as a rifleman. He deployed to South Vietnam with the Battalion, aboard HMAS Sydney, on 8 February 1969. He completed the tour with that section and returned to Australia, again aboard HMAS Sydney, on 5 March 1970.
In 1973 he joined the NSW Police Force, serving with them for many years, and reaching the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant.
https://www.5rar.asn.au/gallery/thompson-2.htm LOGAN’S HEROES NUI DAT 1969 Members of 2 Section, 2 Platoon, A Company 5RAR, posing for a group photo during a break in patrols and operations. ( Standing L to R ): Merv Tuckett, Terry Bateman, Vince Fallins, Michael Boulton, Greg Knight and Michael Skelly. ( Front ): Neville Thompson, John Riley, Norm Carrington and John Logan.
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Det Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 25 June 1999 ( Det SenSgt )
Vincent FALLINS AKA Vince FALLINS
Born: Wednesday 10 September 1947 at Charlestown, NSW
Died on: 1 February? 2021?
Age: 73 years,
Cause: Cancer ( Leukaemia or similar ? ) possibly from Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
VINCE 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.
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
2 March 2021
Updated 21 April 2026.
George Henry BLAKE
23/03/2021
George Henry BLAKE
AKA ?
Late of Banora Point, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 035
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6567
Service: From Monday 5 December 1949 to? ? 1986? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Penrith Police Training College on Monday 5 December 1949 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 6 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 16 January 1950 ( aged 21 years, 7 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 20 February 1967 ( South District )
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 10 March 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 22 January 1980 ( appears in 1985 Stud Book )
Does NOT appear in 1988 Stud Book
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Central Police Station Cells ( 1 Division )( Cst )( May 1954 ), ?, Gilgandra? ( early 1960s ), South District ( Sgt 3/c )( 1967 ), ?, Menindee ( Sgt 3/c )( Mar 1972, Apr 1972 ), Wilcannia ( Sgt 3/c )( Aug 1972, Sept 1972 ), Mitchell ( Sgt 3/c )( Sept 1972 ), Broken Hill ( Sgt 2/c )( 1983 )( lived in the old South Broken Hill Police Station ), “possibly” Casino then Pennant Hills,Tweed Heads – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Former SenSgt )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
GEORGE 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.
Photograph of Senior Sergeant George Blake (Tweed Heads) taken at Terranora Country Club skeet shooting facility in 1985-86. George joined us for a BBQ and refreshments after training.
It was only two weeks ago ( 10 February 2021 ) that people were talking about George, and others, on FaceBook when he was out at Gilgandra, NSW, in the 1960s..
“Sgt George Blake, legendary ‘hard arse’ copper, got us kids into boxing at the old horse stables in the sixties, at the back of the Golden West Hotel (I was 14 and didn’t last long at boxing, we also had some rough old mats for a bit of ‘judo throwing’ as I recall! I went to school with his daughters and knew the Blake family personally!
Noel Howell (Sgt was also big on sport and youth development (encouraging organised sport and avoiding crime) like George Blake, a typical hard arse country copper and from memory, one of my (and many others) footy coaches in the seventies, he took over as lock up Sgt replacing George Blake (I think)
Lindsay Wilson was a painter and lived just down the road from us, I went to school with his oldest daughter Kay, I am still in touch with her, she is a retired nurse mother and grand mother and lives in SA! An absolutely wonderful women!
Her Dad Lindsay was a very respected man and did a lot of community work too, including being one of the work horses in developing the ‘ new’ Youth Club.
I recall it from 14 years of age up, I can add without doubt though that all three gentlemen mentioned and their families were held in high regard by myself, my family and most of the other families in Gilgandra, for their services and involvement within the community“.
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( in middle ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( on right ) and Mr. Lindsay Wilson ( on left ) – local painter, during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club ( 1960s ).
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( Sgt 3/c on right ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( SenCon on left ) during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),
Friday 28 May 1954, page 5
Mr. Justice Dovey
Says Evidence
” A Lot of Poppycock ”
Royal Commissioner Mr. Justice Dovey yesterday described evidence by David Edward Studley-Ruxton on the alleged pawning of a stolen overcoat as ” a lot of poppycock. ”
His Honor warned Studley-Ruxton that if he did not behave himself he would spend the night ” in less comfortable quarters than Marton Hall. ”
Yesterday was the 39th day of the inquiry by the Royal Commission into allegations by David Edward Studley-Ruxton, 32, that he had been assaulted by police officers at Darlinghurst, police station on the night of February 25.
When the hearing resumed yesterday Mr. Justice Dovey said he had considered questions asked of Studley-Ruxton late on Wednesday. Studley-Ruxton had indicated that he had not sought protection.
His Honor said: ” It seems to me that, by his answers Studley-Ruxton has indicated that he is not willing to answer the questions.
” The answers given by him should not be admissible against him in subsequent proceedings. ”
” An Ill-Advised Attitude! “
Mr. J. W. Shand, Q.C., for
Inspector J. H. Aldridge, said it was clear that Studley-Ruxton had adopted an ” advised attitude. ”
His Honor: It is an ill advised attitude!
Mr. Shand: He adopted the
same attitude when he had counsel appearing for him. His answers have been given voluntarily, although nothing said here can bind another tribunal.
His Honor: He has been asked certain questions which if answered in a particular way, may amount to a voluntary confession of his guilt of a serious criminal offence. I should indicate that, in my view, by his demeanour and his answers, Studley-Ruxton is unwilling to answer questions.
To his Honor, Studley-Ruxton said, “I wish to answer these questions.”
His Honor: Are you adopting this attitude as a result of advice from somebody else?
Studley-Ruxton: No. It is what I have done all along.
His Honor: But you were represented earlier by counsel. Have you, at present, any solicitor or counsel advising you?
Studley-Ruxton: No. I see Mr. J. Poole and Mr. A. Larkins (barrister) occasionally but they do not advise me.
Mr. Shand: You were asked to consider why you could forget forging and uttering a cheque?
” Cannot Recall The Cheque At All “
Studley-Ruxton: I have thought about it. I cannot recall the cheque at all.
His Honor: Do you think you could have done it when you were drinking heavily?
Studley-Ruxton: It could be so. I can’t remember it.
Mr. Justice Dovey: How could you forget that you had wrongfully and illegally taken possession of a cheque which was not yours – signed it and cashed it?
Studley-Ruxton: If I had done that, I would remember it.
Do you deny that you did it? – I really do not think I did it.
Mr. Shand: Did you take a letter, containing the cheque from the letter rack at the Tiranna guest house?
Studley-Ruxton: I have no recollection of it.
You were hard up then?
Yes.
Did you pawn anything in February this year? – No.
On February 15 this year, will you deny that you pawned an article in William Street? – I don’t know if I did.
His Honor: I don’t believe you! Did you or didn’t you?
Studley-Ruxton: I will swear I did not.
Mr. Justice Dovey: A witness may adopt such an attitude which would compel the Tribunal to conclude that he is deliberately refusing to answer questions. If I draw that inference, and I am reluctant to do so, I will have to take action.
” If Did Wrong Will Admit It “
Studley-Ruxton: If I have done anything I will face up to it. If I did anything wrong I will admit it. I don’t know if I did or not.
His Honor: We want the truth.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know whether I did it or not.
His Honor: I don’t believe you are telling the truth when you say that you don’t know whether you pawned an article or not. You must remember.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t think I pawned anything. I might have done; I don’t remember.
Mr. Shand: You received £2 for the article you pawned?
Studley-Ruxton: No, I don’t think so. I don’t remember pawning anything.
Showing Studley-Ruxton an overcoat, Mr. Shand asked: “Will you swear that you did not pawn this coat in February this year?”
Studley-Ruxton: I would not pawn that; I would keep it.
His Honor: Is that a serious answer?
Studley-Ruxton: I did not pawn it.
His Honor: Could you have forgotten it?
Studley-Ruxton: I could have.
His Honor: Nonsense!
Studley-Ruxton: I might have done it and forgotten it.
Mr. Shand: What about pawning the stolen overcoat?
Studley-Ruxton: If it was stolen and I pawned it, well, I pawned it.
” Formed Opinion You Are Lying “
His Honor: Do you really, in your fondest dreams, think that anybody could believe such a lot of poppycock! I have formed the opinion that you are lying when you say that you did not know whether you pawned an article or not.
Studley-Ruxton: It is not poppycock, your Honor.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you did it?
Studley-Ruxton: If it will make you content, Mr. Shand I will admit it.
Mr. Shand: Don’t worry about my contentment. Did you do it?
Studley-Ruxton: I cannot remember.
Will you admit it?- I can’t remember. If I did it, I did it; that is all.
Will you deny that you had this overcoat in your possession? I cannot recollect.
His Honor: Is it your coat? Studley-Ruxton: It is not my coat.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you got £2 from Henry Davidson at a pawn shop in William Street on February 15?
Studley-Ruxton: I might have.
Police ” Said They Would Get Me “
His Honor: From that answer I take it that, very reluctantly, you are admitting that you did?
Not reluctantly. The way I was in February I could have done it.
Does that mean that you might have committed any form of crime and not remember it?- Yes.
Studley-Ruxton added: “This is just what the police said they would do. They said they would get me. I will admit anything at all.”
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you pawned the coat?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Where did you get the coat?
– I don’t know.
His Honor: I don’t believe you.
Mr. Shand: Where did you get it?
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know. It is your story you are making up, Mr. Shand not mine.
His Honor: If you do not behave yourself, witness, you will find yourself in less comfortable quarters to-night than in Marton Hall!
[ Evidence was given earlier that Studley-Ruxton was staying in a flat in Marton Hall. ]
Mr. Shand: Will you agree that you got £2 for the coat? Studley-Ruxton: No.
His Honor: But you admit that you pawned it?
Studley-Ruxton: I admit it because Mr. Shand kept at it.
Was it a truthful answer? – If I pawned it, yes.
His Honor: I am getting sick and tired of the way you are humbugging these proceedings. I will not put up with it much longer.
Studley-Ruxton: I think the story fits in very well with what the police said they would do. They told me that if I hit back at them they would get witnesses to make any story stick. They have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.
Mr. Shand: You know that the overcoat and the piece of material came from a stolen car?
” Other Charges ” Mentioned
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Early this year you were engaged in every kind of dishonesty you could lay your hands to?- I must have been very busy.
That is what I am suggesting? – Well, I was on the scoot.
His Honor: You have denied that you feared other charges might be preferred against you by the police. That is the only reason this evidence has been allowed.
Studley-Ruxton: If I go to prison I don’t mind. This Commission’s inquiry is entirely different from what Mr. Shand is putting. If I committed crime I must pay for it.
Mr. Shand: There is no doubt that will be attended to !
Coat Identified By Witness
Charles Phillip Coventry, in evidence, identified an overcoat before the Commission as his property which was in his car, stolen in February.
Henry Davidson, pawn-broker, of William Street, East Sydney, said he lent £2 to a David Edwards, of Springwood Avenue, Potts Point. Edwards was a well dressed, well-spoken, gentlemanly person similar to Studley-Ruxton.
Lancelot Roy Conn, of the Ezi-way Laundry, King’s Cross, said Studley-Ruxton offered him a taxation rebate cheque in the name of another person. He cashed the cheque because he assumed it was in order.
Maxwell John Jarvis, hotel broker, of Castlereagh Street, Sydney, identified Studley-Ruxton as the man who asked him, on February 17, if he wanted to buy a car which was “hot.”
Mr. Justice Dovey, to Studley-Ruxton: Do you still say that on February 25 when you were arrested you had no belief or suspicion that you had committed other offences which might be brought home to you?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes, your Honor.
Constable George Henry Blake, attached to Central police station cells, said he was on duty on February 27 when a man named Gilbert came to see Studley-Ruxton in the cells about bail. Gilbert did not ask Studley-Ruxton anything about his injuries.
As they left the cell after seeing Studley-Ruxton Gilbert said to him, “I don’t know whether I should go bail for him or not. He is not a bad chap. He used to work for me, but I don’t know whether I can trust him.”
The hearing will be resumed at 10.15 a.m. on Monday.
Judge Nield in Quarter Sessions Appeals yesterday called police evidence in a drunken driving charge ” highly colored. ”
He rebuked three policemen for smiling as they left the court when the case ended.
Judge Nield upheld an appeal by Ronald Charles Hobson, 36, engineer, of Minnebah Road, Northbridge, against his conviction and fine on a change of having driven under the influence of liquor.
He set aside the conviction and fine.
Mr. H . Harris, S.M., convicted Hobson on April 2 in Central Court and fined him £50.
Sergeant William Claude Gidders, Sergeant Raymond William McLean, and Constable George Henry Blake gave evidence, in the appeal.
Missing witness
Sergeant Gidders said that on November 24 last Hobson’s car struck a rockery in Strathallen Avenue, Northbridge, careered across the road, and demolished a telephone booth.
When police went to Hobson’s home soon afterwards, Hobson came to the door, leaned against the wall, and munched a raw onion, said Gidders.
Police accused him of eating the onion to disguise his breath, the sergeant added.
Judge Nield said the practice was to put all available evidence before the tribunal, but if for some reason the Crown did not propose to call a witness who might be able to give material evidence, it should place the defence in the position of being able to do so.
He said that in the present case the police had obtained from a person a statement which might have been material in assisting the tribunal reach a decision. The police had not produced the statement, called the person as a witness, or made his name and address available to the defence. “That, to my mind, clouds the whole case with suspicion,” he said.
“The case for the prosecution presented for the magistrate and repeated here is so highly colored that the suspicion is not removed.”
Judge Nield added that two witnesses who gave the starting and finishing point of Hobson’s driving on November 24 — which he said gave the complete answer to the charge — had not been cross-examined about the “highly colored evidence” by the three police that Hobson had been drunk at the time.
[ Yesterday Hobson said that on November 24 he had driven from Alexandria to Northbridge, through the city, during peak-hour traffic. ]
As the police were leaving the court, Judge Nield said: “Would you police refrain from those smiles and comport yourselves properly and decently?”
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
John Kevin BOURKE
23/03/2021
John Kevin BOURKE APM
AKA ?
Late of Crescent Head, NSW & Cedar Place Aged Care, Kempsey, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 039
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6837
Service: From 4 September 1950 to18 February 1989 = 38 years, 5 months, 14 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training as Trainee at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 September 1950
Probationary Constable- appointed 23 October 1950 ( aged 21 years, 8 months, 3 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 July 1967
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 May 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 December 1977
Inspector – appointed 6 November 1982
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Inspector
Competed in the Commonwealth Games – Wrestling, Diving 10mtr Platform ( 1950 )( 5th position ), Water Polo – Mens – ( 1950 )( Gold )
Stations: ?, Traffic Branch – Redfern, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, Katoomba, CIB – North Sydney, Penrith Training College, Redfern Police Academy – Training Detectives & Cadets, Internal Affairs ( Secondment ), Senior NCO – Taree, Police Academy – Goulburn – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 59 years, 11 months, 29 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 31 years, 11 months, 29 days
Awards: Police Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted 7 November 1974
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Constable John BOURKE NSW Police Motor cycle BG-723
Inspector John BOURKE – Goulburn Police Academy
BOURKE, John Kevin
JOHN KEVIN BOURKE APM
Passed away 16th February 2021
Aged 91 years
Late of Crescent Head.
Beloved husband of Lorna.
Loving father and father in law of Robert and Lee, Glenn, Michael (deceased).
Adored Pop of Daniel, Kate, Scott, Hannah, Misheal and to his
great grandchildren Nate and Isobelle.
Relatives and friends of John are invited to his funeral service at the chapel of Walkers Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Frederickton on Monday 22nd February 2021 commencing at 10.00am, then for cremation.
ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
This was published 7 years ago
Bent police officer’s pre-emptive strike
The NSW Ombudsman’s investigation into the likely illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers faces one very substantial challenge.
It was called Operation Mascot and it started in January 1999. The ”white knights” of the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA), along with the NSW Crime Commission, were chasing corrupt NSW police officers.
The ace up their sleeve was a corrupt detective, code named M5.
Worried about being confronted with his own corruption, M5 had made a pre-emptive strike. He voluntarily went to the crime commission in December 1998 and confessed his misdeeds. Early the next year, with SCIA and the commission working hand in glove, he was sent ”under cover” to covertly record his workmates, some of whom were close friends.
Judging by documents obtained by Fairfax Media, Mascot – which ran for more than two years – was not an investigation that built slowly.
Within a few weeks of M5 going to work, Justice Graham Barr of the NSW Supreme Court had approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 119 people, almost all of them serving and former police.
An affidavit was presented to Justice Barr giving the reasons the 119 deserved to have their private conversations covertly recorded.
That affidavit has never been made public so what the judge was told is not known.
But one Operation Mascot affidavit has surfaced. It was granted on September 14, 2000, the day before the start of the Sydney Olympics. Justice Virginia Bell of the NSW Supreme Court – who is now a High Court judge – approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 114 people. She approved the use of seven listening devices, some to be worn by M5, others to be placed in his house, car and briefcase.
Among those who were to be recorded were some who were corrupt. But dozens of others who M5 was legally allowed to record were honest police such as then Superintendent Nick Kaldas and Superintendent Bob Inkster. Kaldas is now a NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner. Inkster is now, somewhat ironically, a senior member of the NSW Crime Commission which was a key player in trying to bug him more than a decade ago.
According to the warrant approved by Justice Bell, Kaldas and Inkster and the other 112 were suspected of a range of offences – money laundering, conspiracy, tampering with evidence.
Essentially, the accusation was that they were corrupt. The Herald makes no suggestion that either man was, or is, corrupt.
Justice Bell approved the bugging on the basis of a 57-page affidavit from the crime commission.
The Herald has seen a copy of the affidavit. It contains allegations of corruption against many police and is, in parts, quite detailed.
Justice Bell, who had been counsel assisting at the Wood royal commission into the NSW Police five years earlier, was told the affidavit was truthful and accurate.
But an investigation by the Herald has uncovered evidence that parts of the affidavit were either fabricated or wrong.
The documents and the evidence gathered by the Herald suggest that from 1997 to 2001 more than 20 NSW Supreme Court judges were lied to or seriously misled by some officers working within SCIA, which was set up in the 1990s by then commissioner Peter Ryan.
Which brings us to the affidavit of September 14, 2000, specifically paragraph 5.33, which comprises only 13 lines.
Much of the affidavit is taken up with details of conversations between M5 and some corrupt colleagues secretly recorded in police stations such as Manly and at pubs, clubs and farewell functions – often while M5 and his mates were engaged in marathon drinking sessions.
The paragraph reads: “On 10 December, 1999, [M5] unexpectedly met with former NSW Police inspector John Kevin Bourke in The Corso, at Manly. Bourke engaged [M5] in conversation regarding assistant commissioner Clive Small. Bourke used words to the effect, ‘I have the best brief on him’.”
The affidavit says Bourke went on to describe Small’s involvement in the corrupt “release of information” to another police officer which resulted in a drug trafficker escaping conviction.
The affidavit continues: “I suspect Bourke has information or evidence which he believes incriminates assistant commissioner Small.
”I suspect Bourke meant to indicate that he would use that information or evidence to protect himself, if necessary, from investigation or prosecution, or both.”
The Herald has tracked down and spoken with Bourke, who was for many years involved in detective training. He retired in 1989. After being read the allegation about his ”meeting” with the detective known as M5 on The Corso, as detailed in the sworn affidavit, Bourke said: “It is very simple for me to answer, that is all nonsense, poppycock, because it never ever occurred.”
In a subsequent email, Bourke said: “The name [M5] is not significant to me. I can confirm with absolute confidence I have never met any such named person on the Manly Corso at any time in my lifetime.”
He added: “I didn’t like Clive’s haircut and I thought he was a bit self-important. But I admired Clive Small for many reasons. I always found Clive a very trustworthy person in my dealings with him.”
He said the claim in the affidavit that he had the conversation was ”based on a fabrication”.
He said he was prepared to give evidence on oath that this was the case.
Bourke said he had no idea how his name could have been put in an affidavit or on a listening device warrant. He had never been contacted by anyone about the alleged meeting on The Corso or the ”allegations” against Small.
Small had a distinguished career in law enforcement. In the late 1970s, he worked on the Woodward royal commission into drug trafficking and then on a long inquiry into the collapse of the Nugan Hand Bank.
As an inspector, and despite considerable pressure from his superiors, he cleared former NSW Police superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been wrongfully charged with multiple rapes in an inept investigation by NSW Police. A subsequent royal commission into the Blackburn case proved him correct.
In the 1990s he was the commander of the taskforce that led to the conviction of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat. After the Wood royal commission into police corruption in the mid-1990s, he was appointed the head of crime agencies and, as such, was the boss of the major squads such as homicide. He was later chief investigator for the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
When the Herald first showed the affidavit to Small he said there was “something clearly wrong” with the document.
Late last week he told the Herald that to the best of his knowledge he had not seen Bourke since the early 1970s. He said he had never been interviewed or spoken to by anyone about the ”allegation” in the affidavit and had no idea which drug case was being referred to.
He said given Bourke’s categorical denial of the affidavit, “it would appear to me a criminal offence has been committed by one of more people or at a minimum, a serious misconduct”.
He said the allegations about misconduct within SCIA had ”been known to both the government and the opposition for about 10 years”.
“I would seek for the matter to be fully investigated immediately. I don’t want this buried for another two years while the ombudsman investigates.”
The Herald has also obtained NSW Police documents which cast doubt on another claim in the same affidavit presented to Justice Bell: that M5 and other officers ”verballed” or made up admissions by a career criminal, Craig Cant, one of three men charged in 1994 with a violent attempted armed robbery.
On page 7 of the affidavit, it says M5 and another police officer “fabricated an unsigned record of interview with Cant”.
The Herald has obtained a copy of M5’s own record of interview with Cant and the brief of evidence in the case. Cant makes no admission to the crime and, in fact, repeatedly denies knowing anything about it.
When M5 puts a number of allegations to Cant and asks if he has anything to say, Cant repeatedly answers “nothing”.
Asked what he wants to say about phone records which showed a call from a co-offender at 4am at the time and date of the offence, Cant replies: “Nothing. Look I don’t want to be rude but how much longer is this going to take?”
In a second interview, he repeatedly answers “no comment”.
The Herald showed a number of the documents to Small. He said it appeared the police, including M5, had evidence against Cant based on phone and motel records, his credit card and driver’s licence which were all admissible in court.
“In the interviews, Cant’s answers are neutral or denials. I don’t see what the ‘verbal’ could be.”
Charges against all three men eventually fell through because of the alleged police fabrications. One of Cant’s co-accused later went to work for SCIA. He told officers within the unit he and Cant and the other man had indeed committed the crime, which involved breaking into a home at 4am and putting pistols to the heads of a young couple.
How it unfolded
On December 16, 1998, an experienced but troubled NSW detective walked into the offices of the NSW Crime Commission in Kent Street and voluntarily admitted to numerous acts of corruption.
According to documents leaked to Fairfax Media, he was under intense pressure. Some colleagues had come under suspicion and the detective, who became known as M5, feared he was in the firing line.
Drinking heavily, “depressed and anxious”, the documents reveal he said he wanted to “unload”. He admitted to corruption going back to the late 1980s and named other serving and former detectives as bent.
But the confession didn’t have the cathartic effect M5 might have hoped for. In fact it made things worse.
M5’s psychiatrist, Michael Diamond, would later write: “It placed extra pressure on him because he had to keep ‘disappearing’ (from his normal police duties) in order to attend these interviews … he felt suicidal”.
According to Mr Diamond, M5 was in intense distress. A concerned relative had him admitted to a psychiatric unit at Manly, where he stayed for 10 days.
What happened next is remarkable. He was sent to work under cover by the ”white knights” in the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA). They wanted scalps and M5 was ideally placed to produce them.
The documents reveal M5 was debriefed by SCIA in January 1999 – within days of leaving the psychiatric ward – and transferred to Manly detectives. An SCIA officer, Cath Burn, now a deputy commissioner, said M5 “volunteered” to go under cover and record his fellow detectives, some of whom were undoubtedly involved in corruption and later jailed.
But in advice to the human resources branch on September 16, 2003, a solicitor from the NSW Police legal services branch, Alan Bloomfield, recommended M5 be granted a ”hurt on duty” pension because he had been “forced” to co-operate.
Mr Bloomfield said: ”A memo from Supt [Cath] Burn states that he ‘voluntarily’ offered to assist, but in a practical sense, he did not have much choice.”
M5 kept working as a detective from early 1999 until mid-2001. He was also covertly recording his workmates.
The documents reveal that SCIA bugged M5’s house, car and briefcase, and had listening devices on M5.
Much of the recording was done in pubs, clubs and at functions – and during marathon drinking sessions.
When M5 couldn’t take it any longer, he sued for compensation in the form of a ”hurt on duty” pension.
In 2002 Mr Diamond, advising on M5’s claim for compensation, criticised SCIA’s decision to employ him under cover just after he had left a psychiatric institution.
M5 won his claim and it is understood he was also given an ex gratia payment. His payments are believed to total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He told Mr Diamond he had been used by someone in SCIA to “settle old scores”. One of the “old scores” appears to have been then Superintendent Nick Kaldas. M5 was sent to see him five or six times. Mr Kaldas had had a serious disagreement with a senior SCIA officer, Superintendent John Dolan. Even police within SCIA were seriously concerned at the targeting of Mr Kaldas.
“I smelt a rat,” M5 told his psychiatrist. “I’ve done stuff you wouldn’t do to your worst enemy … I’ve been used.”
Operation Mascot
1350 boxes of documents (handed over by the NSW Police/Police Integrity Commission/NSW Crime Commission)
20 NSW Supreme Court judges (involved in approving the listening device warrants)
7 investigators (working for Operation Prospect)
$3.5m (extra money given to Ombudsman for inquiry)
114 serving and former police officers and civilians named in controversial listening device warrants approved by Justice Virginia Bell
1984 applications for telephone taps by NSW Police, PIC, Crime Commission in 2011-12
(source: Commonwealth Attorney-General’s report)
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
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
25 Feb 2021
Dennis Michael COX
23/03/2021
Dennis Michael COX
AKA ?
Late of ?
Victoria Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # ?????
Service: From? ? 2008? to 12 November 2020 = 12 years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Victoria Police Academy on ? ? 2008?
Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Leading Senior Constable
Stations: ?,Swan Hill, ?, Sea Lake’s ( 8 years )( One Manner Stn ) – Death
Retirement / Leaving age: = 0
Time in Retirement from Police: 0
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: Thursday 12 November 2020 about 8am
Age: 47
Cause: MVA – Push Bike Rider – Not at fault – Off Duty
Event location: Sea Lake Rd / Lascelles Rd, Sea Lake ( N.W. Victoria )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
A man has been charged after an off-duty police officer was knocked off his bike and killed in regional Victoria last year.
Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was killed on November 12 when a car allegedly struck his bicycle at Sea Lake in Victoria’s northwest.
The driver stopped to render assistance but the 42-year-old died at the scene.
A 57-year-old Sea Lake man was charged with culpable driving on Tuesday by major collision investigation detectives.
He was bailed to appear at the Mildura Magistrates Court on May 18.
Mr Cox worked at Sea Lake’s one-person local police station for eight years and was described as a “well-respected and admired”
community member. Australian
Associated Press
Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was killed while riding his bike in Sea Lake where he was the only officer in the town.
Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox (right) with L-R wife Selina, son Jacob, 11, and daughters Shauna, 20, and Hannah, 17.
The site of the collision at Sea Lake. (Nine)
The local community mourned the loss of Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox. (Nine)
Family’s tribute for Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox killed while cycling at Sea Lake
ExclusiveBy Jack Paynter
NCA NewsWire
The heartbroken family of a Victoria Police officer killed while riding his bike have paid tribute to a “wonderful father” with a passion for serving his local community.
Leading Senior Constable Dennis Michael Cox, 47, tragically died when he was hit by a car while cycling on the outskirts of Sea Lake in northwest Victoria on November 12.
Senior Constable Cox’s death has sent shockwaves through the Sea Lake community where he had worked at the one-person station for the past eight years.
The popular and much-loved copper had close ties to the locals, having grown up in the Mallee region on his parents’ farm with his three sisters and two brothers.
He also had extended family in the area and was a champion footballer and past president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club.
His wife Selina said her husband touched many lives in the community and they were very thankful for the outpouring of support they had received since his death.
“We all loved him very much, he was a great dad. He regularly joked to everyone I was the luckiest woman alive,” she said.
Younger brother Phillip Cox said Constable Cox was an “old fashioned country cop” who was proud of his uniform and what it meant.
Colleague and close friend, Sergeant Brad Fowler, said it was his “dream job” was to work at a single member station, with Sea Lake his number one choice having grown up in the area.
“He policed by earning respect so that his community tried to mostly do the right thing so they didn’t put him in a bad position,” Mr Cox said.
“We heard a young man earlier this week refuse a drink as he had to drive home and he wasn’t going to let Coxy down.
“He trusted everyone and saw the best in those who made mistakes. He was patient and kind, as well as cheeky. Kids loved him and he was a brother to so many.”
Mr Cox said that was probably the reason why he had the least arrests and gave out the fewest fines during one year while based at Swan Hill police station.
He said Constable Cox adored his wife Selina, “the absolute love of his life”, and was the proud dad of Shauna, 20, Hannah, 17 and Jacob, 11.
“Shauna and Hannah were his two princesses and Jacob his right hand man,” Mr Cox said.
“Second only to Selina and the kids was his love of fishing and camping and (he) shared this with them.”
Constable Cox will also be remembered across the community as the legendary footballer who won four senior premierships with Berri-Culgoa, coached Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and was later president after the two clubs merged.
Lifelong friend and current president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club, Colin Durie, said Constable Cox and wife Selina were “enormous” for the local club.
“He was a very modest man, he never looked for accolades, he was just happy doing his thing, keeping under the radar and just getting it done,” Mr Durie said.
“It’s just been a massive shock, it’s going to be hard to find someone else like him for our small community that’s going to put so much back into it … it’s just going to leave a massive hole.
“When he started policing he wasn’t here and the opportunity came up with the position at Sea Lake and I think he was extremely proud to get back and work in the community he’d grown up in and obviously loved.”
Constable Cox was off duty when he was struck by a car on the Sea Lake-Lascelles Road about 8am on November 12.
He had spent 12 years working with Victoria Police in the Western Division and was also based at Swan Hill police station during his career.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and assisted police. No charges have been laid.
A GoFundMe fundraiser to support Constable Cox’s family has so far raised more than $60,000.
Off-duty policeman Dennis Cox killed in cycling crash in Victoria
A tight-knit Victorian community is mourning the tragic death of its much-loved sole policeman, described by locals as a ‘true copper’.
Angie Raphael and Jack Paynter
November 20, 2020 – 2:11PM
NCA NewsWire
The sole policeman of a tight-knit Victorian community who was tragically killed while cycling is being remembered as an “all round good bloke” and “true copper”.
Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox, 47, was riding his bike when he was hit by a car on the outskirts of Sea Lake in northwest Victoria on Thursday morning.
Senior Constable Cox’s death has sent shockwaves through the Sea Lake community where he had worked at the one-person station for the past eight years.
The popular and much-loved police officer had grown up in the Mallee region, had extended family in the area and was a past president of the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football Netball Club.
Local councillor and Sea Lake tourism business operator David Vis told NCA NewsWire “everybody knew” Constable Cox and it would be a great loss for the community.
“He cared a lot about the local community, he was heavily involved in voluntary work as well as with the football club,” he said.
“There’s a lot of things he did over and above his police work, and he will very sadly missed by the community.
“The community hurts when these types of things happen, it’s affected the town quite badly and he’s going to be sorely missed.”
Constable Cox was off duty when he was struck by a car on the Sea Lake-Lascelles Road about 8am on Thursday.
He had spent 12 years working with Victoria Police in the Western Division and was also based at Swan Hill police station during his career.
Local community members have placed ribbons and flowers on the Sea Lake police station fence as a sign of respect to their “much-loved member of the community”.
Former police officer and Sea Lake Men’s Shed secretary Geoff McGuigan said Constable Cox was “an excellent officer and a good man”.
“We were blessed to have you here. RIP. You will be missed,” he posted on Facebook.
Advance Sea Lake Inc community group said Constable Cox was “more then (sic) our ‘local copper’”.
“A community member, family man, all round good bloke,” they posted.
“‘Sea Lake 208, log us off thanks’, that was him, every shift,” another mourner wrote. “We will miss you mate.”
“A true copper and friend of Sea Lake residents,” local Peter Arrowsmith wrote.
Another friend wrote that Constable Cox was “a wonderful ex-neighbour, family friend, such a character, so sadly missed by all”.
“We are just devastated for Dennis’ big beautiful family … you wouldn’t find a more loving and decent family,” they said.
In a statement, Victoria Police extended its deepest sympathy and condolences to Constable Cox’s immediate and extended family and friends.
“Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox was a well respected and admired member of the Sea Lake community, working at the community’s one-person station for the past eight years,” they said.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. The driver of the car stopped at scene and assisted police.
His death comes several months after the Eastern Freeway crash that killed Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
Class 109 of 12 December 1966 at Redfern Police Training Centre
Arthur 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.
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.
