Hero cop honoured after Bondi massacre
The police officer who stopped the Bondi massacre has received a special award for bravery at a police induction ceremony today.
Inspector Amy Scott shot and killed Joel Cauchi at Bondi Junction after he had run through the shopping complex slaughtering shoppers with a knife.
On Friday, NSW Premier Chriss Minns announced the hero officer would receive a Commissioner’s Valour Award “for displaying exceptional bravery in a life-threatening situation” at a police graduation ceremony.
“She has been rightly labelled a hero,” he said.
“She was calm, decisive, and as a result she saved many lives.”
“She gives us all an example of what we ask of our police, many of whom are young, to walk into terrible situations as an ordinary part of their job.”
Cauchi killed five women and one man at the busy shopping centre on Saturday afternoon on April 13.
Inspector Scott was the first officer on scene and confronted the 40-year-old Cauchi alone before shooting him dead with a bullet to the chest.
She performed CPR on the killer, along with some of his victims, as she waited for back-up to arrive.
The six who lost their lives have been identified as Yixuan Cheng 27, Dawn Singleton, 25, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, and Pikria Darchia, 55.
Cauchi also put 12 people, including a baby, in hospital.
The attack shocked the nation and the world.
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “utterly shocked and horrified” by the violence.
“My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi,” he said.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.”
The Pope extended his condolences to through the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the violent attack in Sydney, and he sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this senseless tragedy, especially those who are now mourning the loss of a loved one,” the statement said.
“He likewise offers his prayers for the dead, the injured, as well as the first responders, and invokes upon the nation the divine blessings of consolidation and strength.”
The award for Ms Scott will be part of a larger ceremony to welcome 169 new probationary constables into the NSW Police at the Goulburn Police Academy.
The class, made up of 122 men and 47 women, will attest with the rank of probationary constable.
The recruits will report to their stations for work from Monday and will then complete 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.
They officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards.
The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.
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