July 1999 Volume 80 Number 7 "serving the protectors"
Australian Police Unionists Honour Slain New Zealand Policeman

New Zealand police officer, Murray Stretch, was kicked to death while attempting an arrest in the small town of Mangakina in late May.

Mr Stretch was buried in the town in which he was both born and killed.

The Police Federation of Australia has a long and close relationship with the New Zealand Police Association. This was demonstrated by seven representatives from the PFA and state police unions attending the funeral.

The presence of Australian police uniforms alongside the many hundreds of New Zealand police mourners was a visible statement of sympathy, support and camaraderie, which was greatly appreciated by the bereaved family and New Zealand police.Australian police union representatives included:

• Police Association of New South Wales president, Mark Burgess.
• Police Association (Victoria) president, Nigel Dempster.
• Western Australia Police Union senior vice-president, Russell Armstrong.
• Police Association of South Australia secretary, Andy Dunn.
• Police Association of Tasmania trustee, David Paton.
• Queensland Police Union executive member, Mick Barnes.
• Police Federation of Australia chief executive officer, Terry Collins.

The Northern Territory Police Association forwarded a greatly-appreciated donation.

Assistant commissioners from Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, as well as a police commander from the ACT, also attended the funeral.

Mr Stretch was the 25th New Zealand police or traffic officer to be killed on duty.

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