Need a good honest - Queensland Police Union

Southern Region Roundup
DARREN LEES
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN COLLEAGUES
Friday 28 September saw the official commemoration of Police Remembrance Day right around the country. A
number of Remembrance Day ceremonies and candlelight vigils were held around our Region and state to pay
tribute to our colleagues who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their communities. We also pay our
respects and remember those whom we have lost in the last twelve months.
I want to take some time this month
to outline a dedication ceremony I
attended with our General President
just prior to Remembrance Day, and
also to pay respects to some of those
people we have recently lost.
TAROOM
On Friday 7 September, I was privileged
to attend Taroom police station, which
is part of the Roma police District. An
official memorial plaque was dedicated
to one of the first slain police officers in
the state of Queensland.
“The one thing that
stands out to me is the
support that each of
the dedicated men and
women who wear the
suit of blue show
one another.”
The officer was Constable William
O’Dwyer, registered number 138, who
was killed following the attempted
arrest of an offender known as Wild
Toby on 26 January 1883. The slain
officer was in the company of another
police officer and a tracker, and the
three had been searching rural areas
for Wild Toby, who was wanted on
warrant for the attempted murder of
another person.
They came across the suspect at a
camp site on Juandah Station near
Taroom, and a struggle ensued when
Constable O’Dwyer attempted to
arrest the suspect. During the struggle,
10
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012
AC Wilson, Sgt Bill Hickey, Darren, Sgt Bill Brennan, and QPU General President Ian Leavers at the memorial.
Constable O’Dwyer lost his pistol, and
Wild Toby hit him on the head with a
tomahawk.
Wild Toby was subsequently shot dead
by the other officer, who then lent
immediate assistance to his partner.
However, the injuries to Constable
O’Dwyer were so severe that he did
not survive the fatal blow.
As a result of research conducted by
our previous General Secretary Phil
Hocken some years ago, Sergeant