Tribute to lost cop
IT’S been eight years since Senior Sergeant Mick Isles disappeared into Burdekin bushland without a trace and his family are still desperately searching for answers.
Today his wife Fiona Isles will attend National Police Remembrance Day in Townsville for the first time.
Mrs Isles said she and son Steven Isles had been following possibilities for years, hoping to “find something, anything”.
“It’s one thing to have a person die of whatever cause and have closure. It’s another thing never knowing,” she said.
“Every time you hear on the radio human remains have been found ... you hold your breath wondering because I want something to be found.
“I know it’s not going to be good, after all this time it can’t be but I want something to be found so we can at least lay him to rest with the dignity he deserves.”
The officer in charge of the Ayr police station at the time, Sen- Sgt Isles left home on September 23, 2009, apparently to drive to a training course in Townsville but never arrived.
His vehicle was found abandoned on a property near Ravenswood five days after he disappeared. In 2012 the Queensland coroner ruled that Senior Sergeant Isles had died from suicide. No body has been found. His family believe he was murdered.
Mrs Isles said it was wonderful to see her husband receive recognition for his 35 years with the Queensland Police Service.
“It’s a mixed feeling,” she said. “It’s been so long waiting for it but slowly, but surely we seem to be able to get some recognition. “It’s been a long battle.” Mrs Isles said during her husband’s career, she felt that the Queensland Police Service was an extended family.
“The QPS turned its back on me when my husband disappeared,” she said. “It was like out of sight, out of mind.
“I am grateful to Assistant Commissioner ( for the Northern Region) Paul Taylor for taking steps to recognise my husband.”
Mr Taylor said the day was a chance to remember police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and to also recognise the work of current serving police.
“It’ll be good to see Fiona and her family coming to this,” he said.
“Mick Isles made a contribution to the Queensland Police Service and made a difference to the community.”
Mrs Isles doesn’t believe he committed suicide.
“We were booked into Paluma for our wedding anniversary when he disappeared three days before it,” she said.
“We bought the ute about three weeks before he disappeared for us to tow the caravan around Australia and do our dream.
“All I know is that somebody out there or some people do know what happened and I just hope that one day somewhere, somehow it will all come to a head and people will find out the truth.”
National Police Remembrance Day will be commemorated this morning with a service at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10am.