A number of members of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) have been recognised by the Governor-General for their commitment to their jobs receiving awards for their bravery.
Announced by the Governor-General, his Excellency General David Hurley, the Australian Bravery Awards have been bestowed on Senior Sergeant Desmond Hearn, Sergeant David Ives, Major Gregory Newman, Detective Senior Sergeant Adrian Sala, Senior Constable Karen Wakefield, Sergeant Matthew Wakerley and Sergeant Lyle Wiss for their responses to an incident that occurred 22 years ago.
In the early hours of 7 December, 1999, the officers attended a domestic situation in Coombabah where they encountered a distressed man threatening self-harm and to cause injury to others by igniting fuel in a car next to a unit complex.
While an officer negotiated with the man for several hours, other officers were able to evacuate the surrounding area.
When the man learnt of the evacuation, he became further agitated and drove away from the complex.
As three officers pursued the vehicle, other QPS members deployed road spikes and the man’s vehicle was disabled. The man then attempted to ignite the fuel inside the car.
One of the officers broke the front driver’s window, while another broke the front passenger side window, climbed into the vehicle and helped other officers restrain the man who lit a match and threw it on the open container of fuel.
The fuel failed to ignite and the man was taken into custody.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll expressed her congratulations and sincere gratitude to all the officers of the QPS recognised for their outstanding acts of bravery.
“These officers put themselves at great risk to protect our community and I am very pleased their actions are being recognised,” Commissioner Carroll said.
In addition to the Coombabah Seven, Sergeant Andrew Parker was recognised for displaying considerable bravery during the rescue of race yacht crews in treacherous seas off the coast near Port Stephens, NSW on 6 January, 2016.
Constable Cecelia Jarvis was commended for brave conduct for her actions during an incident with a distressed person at Eimeo on 23 February, 2019.
Sergeant David Raymond was commended for his actions at a building fire at Mermaid Beach on 28 December, 2018.
Constable Drew Harold was awarded for his actions during the rescue of five people from a dangerous river at Maryborough on 25 September, 2016.
The Governor-General said the awards recognise the courage and sacrifice by people who, in a moment of danger or threat, think of others ahead of their own safety.
