Serving and protecting the community can sometimes be a thankless job, however on Tuesday morning officers from Murrumbidgee Police District were recognised for their service.
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Among those recognised were Detective Senior Constable James Whelan and Constable Tyran Moran, who received the Region Commander’s Award for displaying exceptional commitment, dependability, motivation.
They received this honour for their “restraint and exceptional situational awareness in dangerous circumstances,” after conducting a follow-up on a call regarding concern for the welfare of a Griffith man.
Early last year, an abandoned car was found in Beelbangera and was identified as belonging to the man in question.
Senior Detective Whelan and Constable Moran investigated further and went to the man’s family home.
After talking with his parents and brother, the man’s father went to the bedroom to get a photograph of his son – and moments later the two officers heard him screaming.
Both officers responded immediately and saw the man in question standing over his father, stabbing him repeatedly with a large kitchen knife.
“I don't think we foresaw anything that was likely to happen in there, and when the events unfolded we reacted as we did, we are just fortunate that everyone turned out alright at the end of it,” Senior Detective Whelan said.
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“Our radios weren’t working inside the house, so James had to run out to try to relay what was happening in the car radio… those things can easily change a situation.”
The officers drew their firearms and challenged the offender to drop the knife, which he did before being handcuffed and arrested with the weapon secured.
They gave the father first aid until ambulance paramedics arrived, potentially saving his life.
“Thankfully they are few and far between, but these incidents reinforce the dangers of complacency - it becomes top of mind very quickly, and I think you approach the job very differently afterwards,” Constable Moran says.
“I would just like to thank Ty for his commitment, it was good to see we both came out of that alright.”
Constable Moran said the result reinforced his commitment to the community, and was proud the victim survived and “justice had been served.”
Their citation said while the two officers may have been justified in using their firearm in the circumstances, they are commended for their professionalism and situational awareness in resolving the situation quickly without resorting to using deadly force.
Award and medal recipients
National Police Service medal
Sergeants Mark Wilkie, Brett Ryan, Stephen Mallam and Detective Senior Constable Malcolm Ferris and former Senior Constable John martin.
National Medal
Inspector Nicholas Seddon, Sergeants Mark Wilkie and Stephen Mallam, Detective Senior Constable Erin Flynn
NSW Police Medal: 25 year clasp
Detective Senior Constable Malcolm Ferris
20 year clasp
Sergeant Matthew Carroll
15 year clasp
Inspector Nicholas Seddon, Sergeant Mark Wilkie
NSW Police Medal
Sergeant Gregory Lentfer, Senior Constables Katherine Carey, Cherie Harmer, Hayley Winnell
Warrant of Appointment
Sergeant Gregory Lentfer
Southern Region Commander’s Commendation
Detective Senior Constable James Whelan, Constable Tyran Moran
Police District Commander Commendation
Detective Senior Constable Belinda Smith, Leading Senior Constable Craig Hewitt
Police District Certificate of Merit
Senior Constables Howard Cunliffe and Rebecca Bennett and Constables Matthew Bull and Adam Richardson.
LAC Citation
Sergeant Stephen Mallam
Affirmation and Oath of Office
Probationary Constables Rebecca Drew, Alan Lachmund, Timothy Eke, Jackson Page and Emily Parkinson
