Hero cop succumbs to cancer
Humble policeman was dedicated to his family, farming and the police
The son of Napier Senior Constable Bryan Farquharson says his father always treated the famous rescue of a boy from Marine Parade’s surf as just another day on the job.
Farquharson, who was part of the police force for 21 years, lost his battle with cancer on April 30.
He was 67. Farquharson’s son, Jon, said his father had three main aspects to his life — family, farming and police.
Growing up on a farm just outside Taradale, the former Napier Boys’ High school pupil joined Police College at the age of 45, earning him the nickname “Gerry” — short for geriatric.
“He was kind, caring and loyal, but he was always known to be a mad worker and so passionate,” he said.
Farquharson was awarded the prestigious New Zealand Police Association Bravery Award by Prime Minister Sir John Key in 2013 after rescuing 12-year-old Joshua McQuoid from rough surf on Napier’s Marine Parade.
McQuoid was swept 152m along the beach after a large wave broke on the shoreline.
With the help of fellow Constable Paul Bailey and a German backpacker, Farquharson’s first attempt to save the child was unsuccessful after being beaten back by the surf.
But, quick thinking from Farquharson to summon bystanders to form a human chain saved McQuoid’s life.
Bailey felt McQuoid’s legs beneath the water and threw the boy towards Farquharson and the human chain, whereupon he was pulled to safety.
The then Police Association president Greg O’Connor said the award, reserved for officers who’d performed the “most outstanding acts of police bravery” was a fitting accolade for the pair.
O’Connor said the two officers “exemplified the traditions and highest ideals of policing” and showed “extraordinary and selfless bravery, in leaping without hesitation into dangerous surf to save Joshua’s life”.
Jon said although proud of his award, his father was an “I was just doing my job” type of police officer.
“He would always accept any praise in humble fashion,” he said. “But he always had the bravery award on display at home. The boy or his family would absolutely be welcome to attend the funeral.”
A funeral for Farquharson is due to take place at 2pm at The Cheval Room on Prospect Rd, Hastings, before a private cremation.
Away from policing, Jon said his farmer-turned-police officer father was a family man at heart who would always offer a lending hand — something he attributes to a traditional upbringing.
“He was stubborn, stern and stoic, but he had my grandmother’s compassion, which gave him a whole other side and made him so popular,” he said.
“I remember growing up as a kid absolutely adoring him and thinking the world of him.”