Cops’ bravery honoured

SENIOR Sergeant Craig Shepherd said he was just doing his job when he shot an armed offender who smashed his way through the back door of the Bowen Police Station on a Wednesday afternoon and lunged at police with a large knife.

Sergeant Shepherd was one of four Bowen police officers to receive a prestigious Commissioner’s Certificate of Notable Action last week for their response to Du Hai Le’s drug-induced rampage through the station in October 2019, which ended when Sergeant Shepherd and Senior Constable Jason Martin discharged their firearms.

But Sergeant Shepherd, who also received his 30-year service medal at the Cannonvale award ceremony, said recognition was the last thing on his mind when he made the decision to use his weapon on Le, describing it as a “horrible thing” to have to do.

“I just did what I had to do to save my staff’s lives and my own life,” he said.

“You never look to do it, but sometimes, in this line of work, you have to do horrible things.

“I hope I never have to shoot anyone again.”

The Commissioner’s Certificate, signed by Katarina Carroll, describes in detail the events leading up to the shooting.

“At 2.30pm on October 9, 2019, a male offender attended the front counter of the Bowen Police Station armed with a large knife,” it reads.

“The offender located a large chain and used it to smash through the bottom glass pane of the external back door which leads to a secure airlock area, used as a wet area, where officers hang their raincoats.

“Senior Constable Jason Martin and Senior Constable Renee Schneider were inside the police station at the time and immediately went to the back of the station and confronted the offender.

“Senior Constable Martin deployed his taser in the direction of the offender, which was ineffective due to the offender shielding himself from the taser probes with broken glass.

“The offender then launched himself at the two officers while holding up the knife.

“The officers have closed an internal glass door to protect themselves.

“Again, using the heavy chain, the offender smashed his way through the bottom glass pane of the internal glass door to gain access further into the police station.

“Throughout all this, the offender was repeatedly told by police officers to drop the knife and warned of the presence of armed police.

“While holding the large knife, he launched himself directly at Senior Sergeant Shepherd.

“Senior Constable Martin and Senior Sergeant Shepherd both shot at the offender.”

Mr Le survived the shooting and received a seven-year jail sentence in November 2020.

He will be eligible for parole in February 2022.