January 2002 Volume 83 Number 1
"serving the protectors"
| January 2002 Volume 83 Number 1 "serving the protectors" |
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The murder of Trooper Harry Pearce remains one of the most tragic stories in South Australia’s long police history. The dramatic attack was brutal, and his father’s dash to be with him was overwhelmingly emotional.
And Pearce was no doubt a victim, somewhat at least, of his times. A person attacked in the same circumstances today would, with air transport and modern medicine, most likely survive such an assault.
But the Pearce story reveals a common thread that runs through the history of policing, not only in this state and nation but the world. That thread shows that police work has never been, and will never be, free of life-threatening dangers.
Nearly 110 years after Pearce’s murder, another SA police officer, David Barr, was stabbed to death at Salisbury. His wife, Gwenda, dashed to be at his side in a local hospital.
Unlike James Pearce – who was able to be with his son before his death – Gwenda was never able to speak with Barr before he died only hours after the stabbing.
SA cops know well that, in their state, 58 police officers have died in the line of duty. And, in the history of Australia, many more have made the supreme sacrifice all around the nation.
The greatest crime now would be to forget any of those so lost – from John Dunning Carter and William Wickam in 1847, to Gordon James Loft in 1991.
Work such as that carried out by Wilderness School students at the Wesleyan Cemetery is vital. It will help keep the stories of lost police heroes alive.
The Police Journal congratulates the Wilderness students and the Wesleyan Cemetery Committee on their work.
The Police Association of South Australia commemorated its 90th anniversary with a gala dinner on December 7 last year. The association was established on this exact date in 1911.
Business, community and union leaders from around the nation attended the dinner. But importantly – and generously – the association at the same time recognized the September 11 attack on America.
The evening strikingly reaffirmed the strength of the bond that holds the police family together all over the world.
The Police Journal will report on the event in a coming issue.
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