Patricia Rose HANNON, 95 old, widow of John Robert HANNON, was born 17 March 1927 and she Died on 19 October 2022.
Her funeral was held on at 10.30am Wednesday 26 October 2022 at St Marys Catholic Church, 6 Raglan St, Manly, NSW.
She was from Allambie Hts, NSW.
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.
Cranky old bugger on the outside but a lovely man when you got to know him. Spent a very enjoyable Xmas with him at Bob Stark at Mossman Police Station one year. Went to a prang with party hats instead of Police hats, caused a riot of laughter with them all….told em to piss off and go home…
Death was advertised in the Canberra Times on 16 September 1998 and Sydney Morning Herald on 12 September 1998.
No further details are known about this man or his death – other than he died not long after retirement.
Further information is sought.
Cal
14 May 2017
Simon David DE WINNE
08/12/2022
Simon David DE WINNE
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # 27590
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 July 1989
Senior Constable – appointed 9 December 1996
Stations: D 24 General Duties, Traffic Operations Group – Melbourne Metro,
Benalla General Duties, Benalla Traffic Management Unit from 10 November 1997 – Death
Service: From 13 March 1989to 26 December 1998= 8+years Service
Awards: Victoria Police Star – posthumously in 2007. Presented to his sister – SenCon Megan De Winne.
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1969
Died on: Saturday 26 December 1998 about 9.35am
Age: 29
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Urgent Duty -v- Tree
Event location: Midland Hwy, Yin Barun, near Swanpool, Victoria
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: 1/ Benalla Police Station Memorial Garden
2/ Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital
Senior Constable Simon De Winne Plaque Located at 19 Bridge Street West, Police Station, Police Memorial Garden, Benalla, 3672 in Victoria in Australia. GPS Location: Lat: -36.555495 Long: 145.975424
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star
[alert_green]SIMONIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
At 9.35 a.m. on Saturday, 26th December 1998, Senior Constable De Winne was travelling south along the Midland Highway, near Swanpool, intending to intercept a vehicle for a traffic offence. He lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree, killing him instantly.
Simon David De Winne joined Victoria Police on 13th March 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony on 19th July 1989. Simon worked on General Duties, D.24 and the Traffic Operations Group in metropolitan Melbourne before transferring to Benalla General Duties where he was promoted to Senior Constable on 9th December 1996. Senior Constable De Winne then transferred to the Benalla Traffic Management Unit on 10th November 1997.
On Saturday, 26 December 1998, Senior Constable Simon De Winne died on duty when his patrol vehicle collided with a tree on the Midland Highway, 15 kms south of Benalla.
The Victoria Police Star was posthumously awarded to Senior Constable Simon De Winne at graduation ceremony in 2007. The award was presented to Senior Constable De Winne’s sister, Senior Constable Megan De Winne.
——
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne died doing what he loved.
It was 9.35am on Boxing Day, 1998. It was wet and miserable, but Sen Const De Winne was out on our roads working while most of us were at home recovering from an indulgent Christmas feast.
Sen Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Hwy near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. But as he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly.
Almost 15 years on, his brother Nick De Winne said the memories of his best mate were still so vivid and the pain of his tragic and unexpected death still so raw.
As Victorians prepare to remember our 131 fallen officers with National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, Nick paid tribute to the work of his brother and his colleagues.
“Simon was the type of guy who just made the best of every day, he loved life and loved being a police officer,” Nick said.
“I appreciate the work of our police more now, they deal with a lot of ferals every day,” he said. “I definitely do respect them (the police) a whole lot more.”
Nick said his brother’s zest for life continued to be an inspiration.
“Simon lived life to the full and he was just a bag of fun to be around,” he said.
Nick said for Simon joining the police force was his lifelong dream.
“He was like a father figure to us; we grew up without dad so he took me under his wing,” Nick said.
“It is shocking, nothing ever replaces it and no matter what I do I won’t be able to see him or hear him again and that’s the hardest thing.”
Sen Const De Winne joined the Victorian Police on March 13, 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony in July that year.
Like all officers, Sen Const De Winne began his career at the frontline of the force, in general duties in Melbourne before driving his passion into highway patrol.
But when country life took over, Sen Const De Winne transferred to Benalla Police Station where he accepted a general duties position before securing another highway patrol berth.
Sen Const De Winne didn’t just inspire his brother Nick or other brother Byron, he also encouraged his sister Megan to pursue a career within the force.
Megan De Winne is a police officer in Melbourne and has often starred on the television show Highway Patrol.
“Megan failed the first time but after Simon was killed she had more determination than ever to do it and she did,” Nick said.
His legacy continues to live on through Nick and his two mates from the station, Senior Constables Paul Bronsgeest and Richard Cameron.
“I guess I wonder why people speed, why they do it — I ask myself that all the time,” Nick said.
“It’s unnecessary and it’s not cool and it causes trauma. What our family has gone through I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.”
National Police Remembrance Day is on September 29.
Benalla Police will host a ceremony at the station on September 28 from 9.20am. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family.
Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Front Inscription
Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre
Plaque :
The Urgent Health Care Unit at Benalla Health was officially dedicated as a Police Memorial in memory of Senior Constable Simon De Winne, (27590) by Mr William Noonan, OAM Chairman, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation on Thursday, 10th May 2012
Location of Urgent Care Centre: 45 – 53 Coster Street, Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre, Benalla Hospital, Benalla, 3672
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family. Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Benalla Health Report – 2012
Following the refurbishment and reopening of the former emergency department in July, now known as the ‘Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre’, a Dedication Ceremony was held earlier this year by the Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to honour Simon.
The Ceremony was attended by over 100 guests and officiated by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner of Road Policing, Kieran Walshe APM.
We are very fortunate to have a generous community and we are extremely grateful to those who support us through philanthropy, volunteering and membership
of one of our auxiliaries. We sincerely thank them all for their tireless efforts to ensure that both patients and staff are given the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.
The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.
Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.
In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.
Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.
“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.
“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”
Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.
“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.
“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.
He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.
“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.
“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”
Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.
BALL died on a Thursday after being struck by a passing motor vehicle, whilst struggling with an offender on Crawford St, Cannington. BALL was born 15 March 1969 and joined the police force on the 18th of December 1995.
Constable Peter Ball Memorial Youth Award
Constable Peter Ball was stationed at Gosnells Police Station and was on duty on 6 August 1998 when he was run down by a car while chasing a suspected car thief in Cannington. Peter died in hospital the next day, leaving behind a young wife and his 18 month old daughter.
Tributes and support from police and the public followed. Peter was given a State Funeral and memorial services are held each year to commemorate him. Memorial rose gardens were also established at the Gosnells and Cannington Police Stations, where he had worked.
Constable Peter Ball Memorial Youth Award
The award aims to recognise young people, youth groups or organisations that have:
Improved safety or promoted the prevention of crime
Enhanced the profile of young people
Increased opportunities for young people
Who is Eligible?
Youths or a group of young people aged 12 to 25, living in the City or not-for-profit organisations or groups supporting youth activities in the City.
Prize: $1000 + plaque
Nominations
Entries can be submitted any time during the year with submissions closing at the end of September. Award presentations will take place at the Australia Day Ceremony on 26 January each year.
Nominations should be no more than two A4 pages and where appropriate, include supporting material such as photos, media clippings, pamphlets etc.
Applications will only be eligible for one category per program. A separate Application Form is required for each entry. Previous winners are not eligible to nominate the same project for a period of 3 years effective 2016.
Send to:
The Safe City Constable Peter Ball Memorial Award
City of Gosnells
PO Box 662
Gosnells WA 6990
For more information please contact the Safe City Initiative 9391 6022 or Email Safe City.
Plans for new medal to recognise slain, seriously injured WA police
Nicole Cox
EXCLUSIVE
Every slain and seriously injured WA police officer would be automatically honoured with a special commendation medal to mark their selfless community sacrifice, under a new plan to be mooted at the WA Police Union conference today.
The idea, which is modelled on an award offered by Victoria Police, has been raised by outgoing union deputy vice-president Jon Groves and has won support from the state opposition and families of officers killed in the line of duty.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan will unveil a proposal at the police union’s annual conference on Monday for a WA medal, similar to the Victoria Police Star and the US military decoration the Purple Heart, to acknowledge officers killed or seriously injured while on duty.
Under the concept, fallen officers including Constable Damien Murphy, who was run down and killed by a drunk and drugged driver in Craigie in 2007, would be posthumously awarded the medal, along with those who sustain life-changing injuries – like Senior Constable Matt Butcher, who was left partially paralysed by a “flying headbutt” during a brawl in Joondalup in February 2008.
It would apply to all work-related injuries, including psychological illnesses, regardless of whether the conditions first manifestedon or off-duty.
“The Victorian Government has struck a medal for police officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty and it recognises the sacrifice, valour and contribution of those police officers,” Mr McGowan told Fairfax Media.
“It’s only awarded rarely, but it is an appropriate recognition and certainly gives families of those who have died in the line of duty some additional recognition of their mother or father, husband or wife.
“It’s also for those who are seriously injured in the line of duty – so officers who put their lives on the line and get injured as a consequence…that they are appropriately recognised for that.
“It is rare recognition, but appropriate recognition and I think that should happen here in WA.”
Mr Groves said a medal that acknowledged officers killed and maimed in the line of duty – and not only acts of bravery – was needed to highlight their community sacrifice and the risks that police officers come up against every day of their working lives.
“We need a medal that recognises the police officers in this state who have paid the ultimate price – either with their lives or their health – in serving the community,” he said.
“It’s something tangible for those who have been kicked out the door of WA Police, due to work-related illness or injury, to have in their hands to remind them of the good times and the good work they did for the community.”
WA policeman Simon Bowen was five years old when his father WA Detective Sergeant Geoff Bowen was killed by a parcel bomb at the National Crime Authority in Adelaide in 1994.
Detective First Class Constable Bowen, who has served with WA Police for seven years, welcomed the idea saying a special medal would validate the ultimate sacrifice his father made.
“I think it’s a great concept in not only is it a keepsake, but it’s something else in the present that will identify the sacrifice and the memory,” he said.
“It’s a small token that you can just marvel at and look at it and say, for my situation, the memory of Dad is never going to be forgotten not only by me but by the blokes that he used to work with and generations to come.
“It’s a small bit of recognition. It would be humbling.”
Tracey Ball, who was widowed when her husband Constable Peter Ball was run down by a car and killed while chasing a suspected car thief in Cannington in August 1998, welcomed the police medal proposal.
The couple’s daughter, Brianna, now 17, was only 18 months old when her father died in the line of duty.
“Brianna was just 18 months old so she really has no memories of her dad,” Ms Ball said.
“She’s very proud of him but she never really knew him, she never got the chance. So to have something physical and tangible that links who he was as a police officer, I think would be extremely important to her.
“My granddad served in World War I and we have his medals. Having those medals, we used to do the Anzac Day parade and we were so proud and patriotic. To have chance to have that for someone in the police force, I think would be awesome.
“I know the defence forces award medals posthumously and with Legacy the kids go on camps with the armed forces kids who talk about their dads’ medals whereas the police kids don’t have that, they don’t have anything.”
A WA Police spokesman said the force already offered several Police Commissioner’s awards for bravery and conduct including the Cross for Bravery, commendations and a group citation for conduct.
In addition, there is also the WA Police Medal for diligent and ethical service, service medals, the Commissioner’s Medal for Excellence, a Certificate of Outstanding Performance and a WA Police Cadet Medal.
The spokesman said the Western Australia Police Cross for Bravery could be awarded to officers killed or seriously injured after a specific act of bravery and members killed in the line of duty were also recognised on the WA Police Memorial Honour Roll and the National Memorial Honour Roll.
He said the “existing awards and medals are quite comprehensive” but declined to comment about the proposal for a medal for officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
“I am unaware of any proposals for new medals and the department does not make a habit of commenting on speculation or possible proposals,” he said.
Comments:
les bassednean,
that is all well and good, but what do those officers who put their body on the line for their state, and then get arrested, interrogated, humiliated, insulted and shamed get?
Mrs Elliott Watt (9038)
I wonder if the medal will be awarded to officers with psychological injuries who have died from these injuries like PTSD, depression and anxiety? My husband died on duty from depression after 15+ years service….surely he, and other officers like him deserve to be recognized too?
Long overdue Perth,
This issues has been raised for quite literally decades that I have been aware of, and yet the Dep’t has chosen to ignore the injured in the hope they will leave. It is only if you suddenly become high-profile media interest then they cannot ignore you.
The embarrassing fact is as things stand, all the officers who came to Matt Butcher’s aid can be recognised, but there is literally nothing that can be given in acknowledgement to Matt himself as there was no “clever act” they can use for a special commendation. And not even Toxic Tony could spin a believable one for the actions of an unconscious man. This has been raised at the highest levels in emails that were ignored and not replied to.
If they finally come to the table on this one, great! Allow retrospectivity, even better. The men and women who put their life on the line so you can be safe deserve nothing less!
We must also acknowledge that violence in the community as a whole is greater these days. That is not something for which the Government or the Police Service can take responsibility; it is a problem for society as a whole. For whatever reason, more and more people in the community are likely to display acts of extreme violence. We have seen tragic examples of that within the past few years. It is a deep-seated problem for the community. In part, it relates to the amount of violence shown on television which is resulting in much more normalisation of levels of violence in the community. We must tackle that problem from a fundamental perspective if we are to be successful in fighting it.
I touched earlier on the issue of young offenders in the community. We have seen tragic examples recently of young offenders who, in many respects, cannot be expected to take full responsibility for their actions. One example is the absolute tragedy of the death of Constable Peter Ball last week, whose funeral was held today, and who was allegedly killed as a result of the activities in part of a 13 year old offender.
BALI-BOMBING survivors are concerned some victims will miss out on travel assistance to mark the 10th anniversary.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirmed today that she will travel to the holiday island to attend a memorial service on October 12 and will offer victims of the attack free flights to commemorate the day.
The assistance package will include airfares, ground transport, accommodation, travel insurance and visa costs, in line with the package provided for the first anniversary.
Assistance will be granted to family members of the 88 Australians who died.
Those seriously injured are also eligible and will be able to take a partner, child or a close relative and a support person if required for medical reasons.
But, the definition of “serious injury” has sparked concerns by survivors such as Peter Hughes and Tracey Ball, as well as Kingsley Football Club president Keith Pearce.
Mr Hughes, who sustained burns to more than 50 per cent of his body, said he was worried some people may miss out on assistance because their pain will not be deemed serious enough.
“I am happy they are offering what was offered for the first anniversary,” he said. “But I don’t think they should be singling out people. I just want everyone to be able to go back and pay their respects.”
Government sources said the definition would include psychological injuries.
Mr Hughes said he had asked the Prime Minister several weeks ago about the funding package and then wrote to her this week.
Tracey Ball, widow of Constable Peter Ball who died chasing a suspected car thief in August 1998, was also injured in the bombings along with her sister Melinda Kemp.
The pair, who were on a family holiday at the time, are concerned the assistance package will not extend to their mum and dad.
Mrs Kemp said while their father was not injured, he was left scarred by the event.
She said he had the grim task of searching makeshift morgues looking for them, a task no father wanted to endure.
Last night the Kingsley Football Club, which lost seven players in the horrific attack, held a legends match to commemorate the 10th anniversary as well as help raise money for anyone who wanted to go back.
Mr Pearce, whose son Duane was one of the players who did come home, said the club had been inquiring for months about government financial assistance and in the end decided to organise their own fundraiser to help those who couldn’t afford the travel costs.
“What is meant by seriously injured?” he said. “Is that physically or mentally, what does it mean? And how serious is serious? It should be available to everyone.”
Services will be held in both Bali and Canberra on October 12, with Governor-General Quentin Bryce to lead the service in the nation’s capital.
“It was a moment of horror that had a profound effect on Australia as a nation and on the lives of survivors and the family and loved ones of those who died,” Ms Gillard said in a statement on Sunday.
“Time has healed many of the physical wounds caused by the bombings but it can never diminish the sense of wrong we feel at this act of terror.
“Forgetting would be the ultimate injustice – and we will never forget.”
The memorial service in Bali will be held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park and the Canberra service will be held in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
Rons’ cancer was deemed a HOD from a rescue response incident in Blacktown to a chemical spill.
Trevor Watkins was also a Rescue Operator who attended the same incident and died some time before Ron of the same cancer. Doctors linked the 2 Police to the same chemical spill event.
Trevor, however, is NOT mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance. ( Last checked 25 Aug 2022 )
Cadets – Class 10 / 1972 ( Class 132 )
a Sergeants course or First Line Commanders course at Penrith Police Station around mid 1980s. Can’t remember all the names but I will give it a try. Back row: Laurie Eddy ( # 16868? ), Greg Peterson ( # 15106 ), Warren Newton ( # 14491 ), Bob Murrell ( # 15864 ), Hank Vanderwaarden ( # 15760 ), Ron Blake ( # 10029 ). Middle row: John HAMER – instructor ( # 11103 ), Ernie Jones ( # 15468 or # 14515 ) , Gary BUCKLEY ( # 16269 ), Ces Kearney ( # 16804 ), Ray Filewood ( # 15912 ), Dave Clouston ( # 16727 ), Alan Targett ( # 14196 ), Helmut Myers ( # 16359 ). Front row: Kieron Power ( # 17384 ), John Findlater ( # 13571 ), Ron McGOWAN ( # 15631 ), Gordon Middlemisss ( # 17058 ), Gary Winchester ( # 15414 ), Mal Roser ( # 16028 ).
Richard John GERSBACH
08/12/2022
Richard John GERSBACH
New South Wales Police Force
AKA RICK
Late of ?
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 8569[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 29 October 1956
Senior Constable – appointed 29 October 1966
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 31 March 1973
Suicidal officer with a gun, but this time tragedy averted
“Perhaps it was a cry for help by the officer that has prevented this from ending tragically” … police in yesterday’s stand-off.
Les Kennedy and Ben Cubby May 1, 2007
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 anyother cause.
Last month the Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, expressed his concern at the rate of suicides and the need for commanders to recognise symptomsandintervene. 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 Clearyshot 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.
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.
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.
Ashley is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Constable Ashley John HARDIN, NSWPF
Ashley HARDIN, aka Bull, died as the result of a gun shot wound to the head with his service revolver.
He committed suicide as a result of how Police management treated him in relation to a 181D ( show cause why his employment should not be terminated ).
The NSW Police Commissioner at the time was Peter Ryan.
Plaque in the Muster Room of Sutherland Police Station in memory of Ashley John HARDIN
14 September 2015:
Ray Lambie: Gosh it is bad today! I went to Sutherland in 1998 & I was a team leader there. Bull was on my team and had suffered a malicious complaint arising from a domestic dispute that had occurred prior to his entry to the academy. Every time the domestic dispute was re visited a complaint was lodged with NSWPOL. He was cleared to enter the job, cleared whilst in the job on a number of occasions. In 1998 when the domestic complaint was raised again PIAB decided to give Bull a 181D ostensibly to make him do the work to get out of the complaint merry go round. He was suspended. He one day came in and took his service revolver to Darks Forest and committed suicide. On the day of his funeral I returned to the Sutherland Police Station and submitted my resignation. An absolute disgrace.
Ruth Amy STYLES
08/12/2022
Ruth Amy STYLES
at Yeoval Hospital – Dubbo, NSW, late of Bribie Island, Qld, formerly of Wollongong, NSW
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class “possibly” 041
New South Wales Police Force – Retired
Regd. # P/W 0022
Rank: Commenced Training on ? pre June 1955?
Special Constable – Probationary Constable – appointed 20 June 1955 ( aged 23 years, 10 months, 12 days )
Special Constable 1st Class ( 1962 )
Detective – Designated ? ? ? ( YES )
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 June 1976
Detective Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 10 October 1978
Inspector – appointed 22 October 1986
( 1986 – Ruth was the FIRST female Inspector in a ‘Country’ location – Warilla – Now Oak Flats )
Chief Inspector – retired
Appears in the 1988 Stud Book but does NOT appear in the 1989 Stud Book
Stations: ?, Warilla ( O.I.C. 1984 – 1989 )
Service: From?pre June 1955to? ? 1989? = 34 years Service
Inspector Ruth Styles at a Send Off at the Illawarra Yacht Club, Lake Illawarra.
RUTH is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance* NEED MORE INFORMATION
Back Row ( L – R ) Joan BANNER, Aileen DWYER / Aileen WHEELER, Dot IMRIE, Wilma WHYBROW, Ruth STYLES. Front Row: Julie LEWIS, June ABBOTT, Olga NORTH / Olga HATCH, Beryl SMITH, Madge WELBY – Redfern Police Academy about mid 1950s.
POLICE SEND OFF HELD AT THE ILLAWARRA YACHT CLUB. INSPECTOR RUTH STYLES (WARILLA) APRIL 1988
RUTH STYLES AND BEV LAWSON
Report of the Police Department for 1962 p 24
Special Constable 1st Class R. A. Styles (Women Police) represented New South Wales in the State Women’s Hockey Team in Tasmania and toured Malaya as a member of the Australian Women’s Hockey Team.
