National Police Memorial

On this day

Constable

Gregory Malcolm ASHWORTH

YEAR OF DEATH

29 August 1988

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

About 4.20pm on 29 August 1988 Constable Ashworth and Probationary Constable Currie left the Hornsby Police Station to attend an armed holdup at the West Pennant Hills branch of the National Bank. Whilst travelling along Pennant Hills Road Constable Ashworth swerved to avoid a stationary semi-trailer at the intersection of Stewart Street. He lost control of the vehicle and collided with a median strip causing the Police vehicle to overturn onto the incorrect side of the roadway and hit an oncoming vehicle. As a result Constable Ashworth sustained severe head and internal injuries and although quickly attended to by Constable Currie he died a short time later. The Constable was born in 1966 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 29 September 1986. At the time of his death he was stationed at Pennant Hills.

On this day

Constable 1st Class

Lyncon Robert Dix WILLIAMS

YEAR OF DEATH

29 August 1985

JURISDICTION

South Australia

DETAILS OF DEATH

Lyncon Williams died in his patrol car after he responded with his junior partner to reports of gunfire at Ross Avenue Blair Athol. A 17-year-old shot him as he arrived on the scene. He had not even had the chance to step out of his car ahead of the fatal shot. Police arrested and charged the shooter with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at the Governor’s pleasure. A non-parole period was later fixed at 13-and-a-half years. Police Association President Peter Alexander reflected on Williams’ death as he laid a wreath at a recent Police Remembrance Day memorial service. “I didn’t know Lync Williams but I’ll always remember the circumstances of that murder” he said. “I remember the shock of it and the grief for his family and workmates. It was a tragedy that was reflected right across the job.”

On this day

Inspector

Patrick Mark HACKETT

YEAR OF DEATH

29 August 1971

JURISDICTION

New South Wales

DETAILS OF DEATH

Inspector Hackett was killed in Cyprus while on special duty in that country with the United Nations Civilian Police Force (UNCIVPOL). On the 29 August 1971 the Inspector had driven to Episkopi and Paphos before setting out to return to Polis. Whilst negotiating a number of very sharp and dangerous hairpin bends his vehicle left the roadway crashed down an escarpment and overturned several times. Inspector Hackett was killed instantly. The Inspector was born in 1940 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 25 February 1963. At the time of his death he was attached to the Civilian Police Contingent in Cyprus.

On this day

Ordinary Constable

Mathew CONNOLLY

YEAR OF DEATH

29 August 1861

JURISDICTION

Queensland

DETAILS OF DEATH

Constable Connolly drowned in the flooded Sandy Creek, near Laidley while trying to deliver urgently required medicine.