Police Deaths in NSW - 1788 to 1996 (21)

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

ZUCCHETTI, Craig Francis                                                BURNS, Mark John
Constable 1st Class                                                               Constable 1st Class
16 March, 1988.                                                                     17 March, 1988.
On 16 March, 1988, Constable Zucchetti was driving along the Oxley Highway, Tamworth. Constable Burns was a passenger in the vehicle. At the time both Police were attached to the State Drug Crime Commission and were engaged in an operation in the area. Whilst negotiating a right hand bend in the highway, Constable Zucchetti lost control of the vehicle which crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and collided with a semi-trailer. Constable Zucchetti was killed instantly and Constable Burns died the following morning in the Tamworth District Hospital.

Constable Zucchetti was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 14 January, 1980. At the time of his death he was attached to the State Drug Crime Commission.

Constable Burns was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 12 October, 1981. At the time of his death he was attached to the State Drug Crime Commission.

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SCHETOR, Kurt Brian
Constable
8 May, 1988.
About 10.15pm on 8 May, 1988, Constable Schetor was driving an unmarked Police Highway Patrol vehicle along John Middleton Drive, Gundagi. For reasons unknown, he lost control of the vehicle which crossed onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided with a truck. As a result of the collision, Constable Schetor and a civilian, Mr Anthony Smith, were killed instantly. Two other members of the public were also injured.

The Constable was born in 1963 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 27 October, 1984. At the time of his death he was attached to the Gundagai Highway Patrol and aged 25 years. He started at Goulburn Police Academy on 26 October, 1984 in Class 205. He worked at Campbelltown then at Warilla Highway Patrol before transferring to Gundagai in May 1986. He was survived by his parents, Konrad and Anna.

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CARTER, Peter William
Constable 1st Class
24 August, 1988.
About 8.40pm on 24 August, 1988, Constable Carter and Constable Eric Renes were riding motor cycles in Five Islands Road, Cringila, in pursuit of a motor vehicle. As the cycles travelled around a sweeping right hand bend, Constable Carter's cycle became unstable and despite his efforts left the roadway. His cycle dropped to the ground. He slid into a power pole and, as a result of the impact, his body was totally severed near the waist. He died instantly.

The Constable was born in 1958 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 2 April, 1979. At the time of his death he was attached to the Warilla Highway Patrol.

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ASHWORTH, Gregory Malcolm
Constable
29 August, 1988.
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.

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SINCLAIR, Brett Clifford
Constable
25 October, 1988.
About 5.50pm on 25 October, 1988, Constable Sinclair suffered severe head and internal injuries at North Parramatta whilst attempting to arrest an offender following a domestic dispute. Earlier, Police had been called to assist Ambulance Officers at the disturbance in Jeffrey Avenue. The offender, who was bleeding from the arm, had locked himself in his truck. While Constable Sinclair and Constable Cummins spoke with him, he continually threatened them while revving up his truck engine. As the Police approached, the offender wound up his window. The Police then smashed the window and attempted to remove the driver from the cabin of the truck. With both Police standing on the step of the truck, the offender began to drive along Jeffrey Avenue. Constable Cummins was able to get off the step, but due to his falling to the roadway, was unable to assist his colleague. The truck's speed increased with Constable Sinclair still partially inside, and partially outside, the cabin. The offender then drove across the roadway where the vehicle collided with a tree, crushing the Constable. He was conveyed to the Westmead Hospital where he died a short time later. Constable Sinclare was awarded the Commissioner's Valour Award for Bravery and Devotion to Duty.

The Constable was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 8 December, 1984. At the time of his death he was attached to the Parramatta District Highway Patrol.

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WILSON, Sharon Louise
Probationary Constable
30 November, 1988.
About 2.15pm on 30 November, 1988, Constable Wilson was on duty at the Leeton Police Station when she suffered a severe gunshot wound to the head when another member's service revolver discharged. Although treated at the scene by colleagues until the Ambulance arrived, she passed away at the Wagga Base Hospital at 5.45pm the same day.

The Constable was born in 1968 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 9 May, 1988. At the time of her death she was stationed at Leeton.

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BALTOSKI, Risto Vic
Detective Senior Constable
2 January, 1989.
On 2 January, 1989, Detective Baltoski was travelling to the National Crime Authority Offices in Adelaide. About 2pm, as he was driving along the Sturt Highway about 68 kilometres west of Hay, he lost control of the vehicle, crossed to the incorrect side of the roadway and collided head-on with another vehicle. The exact cause of the accident was not determined. As a result, Detective Baltoski sustained severe head and internal injuries and died before he reached the Hay District Hospital.

The Senior Constable was born in 1955 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 17 June, 1975. At the time of his death he was on secondment to the National Crime Authority. Prior to that, he had been attached to the Homicide Squad.

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WARD, John Hedley
Constable 1st Class
17 March, 1989.
Shortly after 10.40pm on 17 March, 1989, Constable Ward was riding a Police motor cycle home along Milperra Road, Milperra, at the completion of his rostered shift. Near Ashford Avenue, an offending driver who was fleeing the scene of a minor motor vehicle accident lost control of his speeding vehicle. The vehicle crossed onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided with Constable Ward's cycle. The Constable suffered severe head and internal injuries and was found to be dead on arrival at the Bankstown District Hospital.

The Constable was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 24 July, 1982. At the time of his death he was attached to the Balmain District Highway Patrol.

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MURRAY, Andrew James
Constable 1st Class
23 March, 1989.
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 though 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.

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BURGESS, John Irving
Constable
27 April, 1989.
About 2.25am on 27 April, 1989, Constable Burgess was driving a caged Police vehicle in Booth Street, Annandale. Constable Andrew Mortimer was observer in the vehicle and the pair were responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad Police. At the intersection of Johnston Street, the Police vehicle collided with a semi trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident, Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died about twelve hours later in the Prince Alfred Hospital.

The Constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Service on 28 October, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

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