Shot cop’s brave battle
SERGEANT Gary Hamrey is the man a bullet couldn’t even stop.
He was shot in the face and survived not only the physical trauma but battled gallantly through the emotional turmoil as well.
Now the veteran Gold Coast police officer can finally move on to the next chapter in his life after the man who shot him two years ago – Robert George Speedy – was found guilty by a Brisbane Supreme Court jury yesterday of attempted murder.
“During the last two years, it’s been pretty difficult,” the 54-year-old dog squad boss admitted after the verdict was handed down.
“It has no doubt affected my family, it has no doubt affected my relationship.
“Going through something as traumatic as what I experienced is going to have an effect regardless of how strong a person is.”
Standing by his side the whole way has been Senior Constable Steve Cook.
He and Sgt Hamrey found Speedy and accomplice Jake Watson in the pitch-black back yard of a Parkwood home after the pair had robbed the nearby Arundel Tavern of $40,000 on September 27, 2013. Sgt Hamrey announced his presence to the men. A shot rang out in reply. He dropped to the ground. Sen-Constable Cook thought he was dead.
But there was no stopping Sgt Hamrey, despite a bullet from a .22 shotgun entering his left cheek and exiting behind his ear.
His head was bleeding and his ears were ringing, but he pulled out his own gun and fired into the darkness, as did Sen-Constable Cook.
Speedy and Watson were hit and their getaway was foiled.
“I had an overwhelming desire for self preservation,” Sgt Hamrey said. “What happened in that 10 or 12 seconds during that exchange, there was no he- roics – it was A: doing what we are trained to do, and B: trying to keep the area as safe as possible for other people trying to come to our aid.”
Sgt Hamrey won’t ever call himself a hero but Sen-Constable Cook is happy to give him that label.
For his part, Sgt Hamrey says he owes his life to the younger officer and he’ll forever be “on his Christmas card list”.
He endured months of operations and still experiences some pain.
Police dog Biff, who guarded Sgt Hamrey as he lay on the ground in pain, will be back on the road today after waiting at home during the eight-day trial for his master to return.
Speedy, 49, faces life in jail and will be sentenced at a later date with co-accused Jake Watson.