South Burnett Times, Tuesday, September 2, 2003 Valedictory Senior Sergeant Perry James IRWIN Born: 6 September 1960 Died: 22 August 2003 ‘Perry James IRWIN is the epitome of what every police officer should hope to be.’ Those are the words of one of Perry’s colleagues and they have been followed with similar praise and gratitude from all sections of the community. Perry James IRWIN was born on September 6 1960 at the Murgon Hospital. He was the second youngest of four children, Malcolm, Jeffrey, Perry and Chris to parents George and Joan and later their step-mother Olive. Perry grew up in Goomeri and Gladstone before moving to Brisbane with his family. On leaving school, he worked for Telecom and his work partner was an ex-Scottish police officer, who told Perry to stop wasting his time and join the Police. Perry did just that and in late 1979, Perry applied to join the then Queensland Police Force. By November of 1979, Perry had received his letter of congratulations from the Commissioner of the time advising him that he was to be appointed as a Probationary as from 14th January 1980. Perry was “sworn in” as a constable with the Police Department on 27th June 1980. Perry’s first posting was to Fortitude Valley for a brief period and followed by duty at Brisbane Mobile Patrols. Perry continued his career within Brisbane at City Station during 1981 before returning to Mobile Patrols in March 1982. A former partner, now retired Senior Constable Russell PITT, relayed one of the many memorable stories involving Perry and motor vehicles. While making patrols of Pinkenba, they became bogged in marshland in the rising tide. In fear of the police vehicle being consumed by the tide, they finally phoned VKR Brisbane to request a tow truck. This is only one of many eventful situations Perry found himself in with police motor vehicles. Perry was promoted to Constable First Class on 27 June 1985 and to Senior Constable on 27 June 1987. The birth of Perry’s eldest two children from his first marriage – Daniel James, on 10 April 1984 and daughter Jenna Maree on 4 July 1986 – were the two shining lights of his life at that time. Perry remained in Brisbane until 1989 when he realised his dream and transferred to the country where he commenced duties at Dalby. This is where Perry met Melissa and they were married in Toowoomba on 20 June 1992 at Smithfield Homestead, Toowoomba. The family transferred to Warra, and on 7 October 1992 the couple’s beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Jane, was born. The apple of Perry’s eye, Patrick Joseph, was born on 12 March 1995. Perry’s dedication to the Queensland Police Service and to the community was never more apparent than in his small town postings. One colleague has commented in the pages of tributes that have been printed in recent days that “you can take the boy out of the bush but not the bush out of the boy”. Perry found his passion for serving the community in small towns such as Dalby and later at Warra. He and his family spent much of their time camping and motorbike riding. His enthusiasm for off-road motorcycling came to a head on one particular ride with the officer-in-charge of Cooyar Police Station, Sergeant Stephen Ryan. An unexpected dismount landed Perry in a rocky creek bed and the next week had him complaining of a sore hip. The bruise was substantial was in true Perry style, he simply got on with his job. Months later it was discovered he had a fractured hip. Perry continued his exceptional career with a promotion to Sergeant and officer-in-charge of Yarraman Police Station on 16 October 1995, where, in the seven years until 2002, he made his mark on the community. The praise and letters of appreciation are extensive and provide some highlights of Perry’s commitment and loyalty to the service and his devotion to serving the Yarraman community. That dedication was typical of Perry and was well known to senior management of the service. On 29 January 2002 Perry transferred to Bribie Island as officer-in-charge. On 24 March 2003 Perry was promoted to Senior Sergeant and moved to Caboolture as the officer-in-charge in May this year. The admiration for this passionate and dedicated officer continued in the Caboolture community until his untimely and tragic death on 22 August 2003 where Perry’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed in the line of duty. On that day, Perry was continuing his career in the same vein as the rest of his life with the Queensland Police Service. Perry went to work that day ready to serve the community, protect the innocent, and provide a shining example of leadership to his colleagues. Dedicated, motivated, courteous, compassionate, loved, and courageous – Senior Sergeant Perry IRWIN was all of these and more. He was a wealth of knowledge and a valuable mentor for officers serving alongside him. Perry has touched the lives of countless individuals and families in ways that cannot be expressed in words alone. The love and compassion Perry showed for all in the community will resonate for many years to come. We extend our deepest sympathy to Perry’s wife, Melissa, his children, Daniel, Jenna, Elizabeth, and Patrick, his father, brothers, family and friends, at this most tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Perry will be with us forever. [Perry Irwin was shot by what authorities have called “a drug crazed gunman”, Damien Lawrence COATES, 21, in bushland near Caboolture East Primary School. COATES shot himself during the incident. SB Times, 26 August, 2003] Murder charges for Harlin man’s son Moore and Blackbutt police were among the officers sent to a Harlin property on Sunday to investigate the stabbing of 59-year old man Kevin McDERMOTT. The man’s son Kenneth McDERMOTT, 37, of the Gold Coast was later arrested by police and yesterday appeared in Caboolture Magistrate’s Court charged with murder. Police were called to the scene by the victim’s wife and two adult children who fled the house. Kenneth McDERMOTT eventually surrendered following police negotiations. The father was attended to by paramedics at the scene but later died at Kilcoy Hospital. Kilcoy, Toogoolawah and Caboolture police also attended the incident. Birth Notices MATSSON: Matt and Andy (nee HARLLA) are happy to announce the safe arrival of Ruby Felicity. Born 25 August, 2003, 3.30am, 7lb 3oz. Little sister for Conner and Chelsea. Death Notices TRUSS, Errol Clifford; Of Brook Road, Kumbia. At South Burnett Community Hospital, Kingaroy, 28 August, 2003, aged 80 years. Beloved husband of Irma, loving father and father-in-law of Warren and Lyn, Gary and Janice, Rowan and Lynda, loved grandfather of Russell, Stephen, Katie, Peter and David. The funeral service was held at Kumbia on Monday, 1 September, 2003. HP Virgo & Son, Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon and Wondai (07) 4162 1420 Funeral Notices ROWE, John Gordon (Jack); Of Appin Street West, Nanango. Beloved husband of Maisie, loving father and father-in-law of Graham and Carol, Garry (dec’d), Colin and Jill, Trevor (dec’d), Helen and Allan BRADFORD, Neville and Lesleigh, Joy and Mark BAUER, loved grandfather and great-grandfather of their families. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral to leave Uniting Church, Nanango, on conclusion of service commencing at 2.30pm this Tuesday, 2 September, for the Nanango Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Queensland Cancer Fund or the Asthma Foundation, envelopes available at the funeral. HP Virgo & Son, Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon and Wondai (07) 4162 1420 In Memoriam HARDING, Peter Shane: Late of Wondai, Kingaroy and Melbourne – 2 September, 1999. Bro, you were suddenly taken and left a void, my thoughts are always with you, Faye. ________________________________________________ Message sent using Dodo Internet Webmail Server