Constable 1st Class
Andrew James MURRAY
YEAR OF DEATH
1989
JURISDICTION
New South Wales
DETAILS OF DEATH
On 23 March 1989 Constable Murray and his family were holidaying at Byron Bay. About 3.05pm on that day they were at Tallows Beach when the Constable saw a young woman in distress in the water. He then took his surf ski and paddled out through a rough two metre swell to assist. The girl’s boyfriend at this time also entered the water and managed to help her to safety. Constable Murray had at this time unfortunately been tipped off his surf ski and was seen with an arm raised indicating that he was having difficulties. He was again spotted a short time later floating about fifty metres out on the surface. Despite an extensive search the Constable was not seen again. It is thought that he may have been struck on the head by the ski when tipped off it or perhaps injured when dumped in the heavy seas. The Constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 20 July 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Tabulam.
