COURAGE HONOURED
Bravery medals for police who took armed offenders off the streets
HERO police officers who were first responders at a Norlane shootout have been recognised at the highest level.
Five men were later jailed over the March 2016 incident that involved at least three cars in a the high-speed shootout in suburban streets of Norlane.
Leading Senior Constables Ben Korevaar, Jason Kisielis and Naomi Bourke and Sergeants Mark Thomas and Ronald Gray, pictured inset, all received Victoria Police medals for courage on Thursday.
Sergeant Karen Allsopp was awarded a medal of merit while Sergeant Peter Meath will receive a Regional Commendation at a later date.
The police officers managed to arrest the offenders and restore calm to the streets under extreme danger and pressure.
Veteran police officer Sgt Allsopp said the situation was unlike any she had ever been involved in.
“I’ve been in the police force for 36 years and I have never been in such a dynamic and volatile incident in my career,” Sgt Allsopp said.
Senior Constable Kisielis remembers Sgt Meath running the operation like clockwork.
“Sometimes there can be a lot of misinformation but everyone knew exactly what they were doing,” Constable Kisielis said.
“As soon as you hear firearms are involved — there is the potential for danger. That arrest was the third time in my career where I have pointed a firearm at somebody,” SenConstable Kisielis said.
“After the fact you think of Sen- the danger — but at the time you are just trying to make the situation safe.”
Sgt Thomas remembers there were two loaded weapons and spent shell casings in one of the offender’s vehicles.
“They were driving around randomly firing shots at one another and there were other community members out on the street.”
The day remains etched in the police officers’ memories.
“Personally the incident has had an impact on me,” Sgt Allsopp said.
“You want to go home at the end of your shift. This brings it all back and shows how fragile we really are.”
Geelong Acting Superintendent Graham Banks said the members responded to an extremely dangerous situation where police and members of the public were at risk of death or serious injury.
He said the ultimate professionalism displayed by the members helped the successful prosecution of all offenders.
Offenders Bruce Savage (four years, 10 months), Selwyn Savage (three years, 10 months), Justin Milner (three years) and Ryan Graham (581 days) and Aaron Burnie (five years) were all jailed for their roles.