Murdered policeman honoured at service
THE devastation caused by the tragic death of Senior Constable Norman James Watt can still be felt in the minds of his comrades 20 years on.
Police, relatives, and friends attended St John’s Anglican Church in Dalby on National Police Remembrance Day on Tuesday morning to honour Senior Constable Watts, who was raised in Chinchilla, and other officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Senior Constable Watts’ murder, which occurred on the evening of July 20, 2000, while he was working with the Rockhampton Dog Squad.
The officer and his dog Zeus had responded to reports of an altercation, where a man had fired three shots at a friend.
Officers arrived at the scene and began to put a cordon around the residence when just after midnight, a shot was heard, and Senior
Constable Watt was seen falling to the ground.
He was pronounced dead on July 21 about 3.47am, and the offender was later charged with murder after a seven-hour siege.
Senior Constable Watt’s mother, Rosalie Watt, attended Tuesday’s service to honour her son and the 147 other police officers who have died on the job since 1862.
Although stationed with the Rockhampton District Dog Squad, Senior Constable Watt grew up in Chinchilla, where he completed his schooling before heading off to the Police Academy.
Dalby officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Terry McCullough said Police Remembrance Day gave officers a chance to pause, and reflect on those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Norm and I spent our last year in cadets together all those years ago,” Senior Sergeant McCullough said. “Rosalie comes most years to honour his sacrifice with us.”
Earlier this year, Senior Constable Watt was honoured during the official commissioning and naming of a police vessel on March 11.
The QPV Norm Watt, a 17m-long monohull patrol and enforcement vessel was named after the fallen officer.
His mother Rosalie said at the time the naming meant a lot to her.