Peter John ADDISON

( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 175

Regd. #  19914

Rank: Commenced training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 17 August 1981 ( aged 22 years, 6 months, 15 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed 6 November 1981 ( 22 years, 9 months, 4 days )

Constable – appointed 6 November 1982

Constable 1st Class – appointed 6 November 1986

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Kempsey

Service:  From  17 August 1981  to  9 July 1995 = 13 years, 10 months, 22 days Service

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour – However:

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

 National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  2 February 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Death location:  Main Street, Crescent Heads

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 5 months, 7 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at: Rose Garden, Innes Gardens Memorial Park, NSW:  [codepeople-post-map]

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s, NSW

PETER IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

&

Robert Bruce SPEARS

 ( late of Port Macquarie )

New South Wales Police Force

Redfern Police Academy Class # 227

ProCst # 98500

Regd. #  23854

Rank: Commenced training at Goulburn Police Academy on Wednesday 1 April 1987 ( aged 28 years, 16 days )

Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1987 ( aged 28 years, 3 months, 10 days )

Constable – appointed 26 June 1988

Senior Constable – death

Final Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Liverpool, Kempsey

Service:  From 1 April 1987   to 9 July 1995 = 8 years, 3 months, 8 days Service

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour – However:

Commissioner’s Medal for Valour – posthumously

National Police Service Medal – granted 9 July 2015 – posthumously

Born:  Monday  16 March 1959

Died on:  Sunday  9 July 1995

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Age:  36 years, 3 months, 23 days

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?, Liverpool, NSW

Buried at:  ?

Grave location:   Lat/Long: -31.462153 , 152.858907

Compass Rose Garden, Innes Gardens Memorial Park, NSW:  [codepeople-post-map]

 Memorial location:  Killuke St, Crescent Head’s, NSW

ROBERT IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 12.35am on 9 July, 1995 the constables were performing night shift at the Kempsey Police Station when they were called to a malicious damage complaint at the nearby township of Crescent Head. Having attended one address in relation to the complaint they drove to a dwelling in Main Street, Crescent Head. There they parked the police vehicle in a driveway and began to walk toward the front door.

At 1.22am an urgent radio message was received from Senior Constable Addison requesting urgent assistance. It was later learned that the offender McGowan had hidden near the carport of the dwelling and, camouflaged and armed with a high-powered Ruger rifle, had opened fire on the two police.

While withdrawing to the police vehicle Senior Constable Spears received a severe wound to the head and collapsed onto the ground. After exchanging shots with the offender Senior Constable Addison quickly sought help from neighbours. While apparently seeking a house with a telephone so he could call for assistance for his partner, he was also shot to death.

The murderer then committed suicide with the rifle.

At the inquest into the deaths of the two constables the New South Wales Coroner Mr Derek Hand commended both men for their extraordinary courage. Special mention was made of Senior Constable Addison‘s bravery in that “No-one would have blamed him if he had decided to seek safety. Not only was he obviously concerned about Constable Spears but he was faced with an armed man who could have caused much more death and injury in the neighbourhood”.

Mr Hand also commended the brave actions of Detective Senior Constable Michael Clark, Ambulance Officer Edward Hill and Mr Gregory Barnett.

Senior Constable Addison was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 6 November, 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kempsey. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour.

Senior Constable Spears was born in 1959 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 June, 1987. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kempsey. He was posthumously awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Valour.

New South Wales. State Coroner (1995). [Inquests into the deaths of Robert Bruce Spears, Peter John Addison and John Craig McGowan : transcript of the Coroner’s address, findings and recommendations of 13 October 1995.]. New South Wales State Coroner’s Court, [Penrith, N.S.W  ( no link )

Commemorative service
10:30am, Thursday 9 July 2015
Addison/Spears memorial site
Corner of Baker Dr and Killuke Cr,
Crescent Head

Valour not forgotten

A ceremony this month will mark the 20th anniversary of one of our darkest days.

STORY SHAUN FEWINGS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS BRANCH

On the face of it, it was a routine call to a domestic violence complaint but within an hour two police officers were ambushed and shot dead.

When Kempsey-based police officers, Senior Constables Peter Addison VA and Robert Spears VA arrived in the small mid north coast town of Crescent Head, they came under attack from a hidden assassin. Local electrician John McGowan was drunk and dressed in camouflage gear, hiding near a car port on his Walker Street property.

The 35-year-old, armed with a high-powered modified Ruger 14 rifle, opened fire on the officers as they got out of their 4WD. The pair took cover behind their vehicle and exchanged shots with the gunman.

As Snr Cst Addison got back in the car to radio for backup, McGowan shot his partner in the head.

Snr Cst Addison ran to a neighbouring house to seek help but it didn’t have a telephone. He continued to exchange shots with the offender but was also shot dead. The killer then turned the gun on himself.

It happened at 1.22am on 9 July, 1995 and remains one of the darkest days in the history of the NSWPF. The deaths led to major reforms, including the introduction of automatic pistols and bullet proof vests for first response officers, improved radio equipment and coverage, and advances in police tactical training.

A special ceremony will mark the 20th anniversary of their deaths at a memorial site within the town. Commissioner Andrew Scipione will present the widows of Senior Constables Addison and Spears with National Police Service Medals in honour of their courage, service and diligence.

Today the ranks of the NSWPF are filled with many officers too young to remember the Crescent Head shootings but who remain protected by the legacy of two brave police officers.July 2015Police Monthly3

Police Monthly July 2015 – Addison_Spears.pdf

$18 loader may have saved police life
Feb. 6, 2001, 9:02 p.m.

ONE of two police officers killed after being ambushed by a drunken gunmen at Crescent Head in 1995 may have survived if he had been issued with an $18 speedloader the Industrial Relations Court has been told.

NSW WorkCover Authority is proceeding with eight summonses against the Crown over alleged Occupational, Health and Safety Act breaches by the NSW Police Service stemming from the shooting deaths of Kempsey policemen, Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison.

The matter, being heard by Justice Hungerford, began in Sydney on Monday and is expected to take three weeks to complete.

Senior Constables Addison and Spears, both Port Macquarie residents, were shot by John McGowan on July 9, 1995 when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint.

In the preceding Coronial Inquest, Coroner Derrick Hand found the two officers had been ‘massively outgunned’, lacked bulletproof vests and were hampered by poor radio communications.

WorkCover alleges the breaches of the Act contributed to the deaths of the policemen and specifically refers to inadequate equipment and training and the alleged failure to provide self-loading firearms.

When the officers arrived at the home of McGowan he was armed .223 calibre Ruger Rifle.

Constable Spears was shot dead in McGowan’s first salvo before Const. Addison managed to enter a house across the road to use a phone for help, when he was told there was not one he left the house only to be shot dead himself.

McGowan then shot himself.

WorkCover alleges the Crown failed to ensure the health and safety of Const. Addison and Spears by not providing them with a speedloader or a self-loader weapon such as a the 9mm Glock pistol, which holds 17 rounds, now used by the service.

WorkCover’s Barrister Steven Crawshaw told the court a speedloader, a round device used to load all six bullets into the then standard police weapon, a .38 Smith and Wesson, would have let Const. Addison reload more efficiently under pressure.

Police Service Barrister, Peter Hastings, QC, told the court Const. Addison did not appear to be reloading at the time he was killed so the issue was irrelevant.

The officers were issued with speed strip reloaders that enable rounds to be loaded two at a time.

The court heard Const. Addison had fired all six rounds from his revolver and investigators found his unused speed strip lying near his body.

WorkCover has also alleged that the police service failed to provide the two officers with training addressing in a practical way the tactics to be employed in a high-risk situation such as they were faced with and the systems the police service had in place to ensure training was deficient.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/983236/18-loader-may-have-saved-police-life/

Training of police attacked
May 3, 2001, 9:06 p.m.

SIX years after the shooting deaths of two Kempsey police officers a NSW court has found the NSW Police Service negligent in not providing adequate training and communications for the officers.

Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison, both Port Macquarie residents, were gunned down by a drunken John McGowan when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint at Crescent Head on July 9, 1995.

NSW WorkCover, in January, started proceedings against the NSW Police Service through the NSW Industrial Relations Court over breaches of the Occupational, Health and Safety Act in relation to the deaths of Constables Addison and Spears.

On Wednesday, Justice Barrie Hungerford found that the NSW Police Service failed to provide adequate training and radio equipment.

Justice Hungerford found that the radio communications equipment was inadequate.

In the judgement Justice Hungerford said Senior Constable Spears and Addison were placed at risk of injury in that they could not communicate with other officers and vice versa.

“This created a working environment in which there was a greater risk of physical harm,” he said.

Justice Hungerford said there was evidence that supported the proposition that the officers concerned had not received up-to-date training in the various matters relevant to operational situations.

“Those subject matters, specifically, were weapons handling, tactics in high-risk situations, method of approach to buildings, concealment and the use of lights and torches.

“The very nature of the circumstances as they existed at Crescent Head during the subject incident made relevant the type of training the two officers had not recently received,” Justice Hungerford said.

Justice Hungerford dismissed eight other charges brought against the NSW Police Service by WorkCover relating to firearms, firearm equipment and training and operational duties.

The case was adjourned for a number of weeks to give the Police Service time to prepare mitigating evidence to be presented to Justice Hungerford before he announces the penalty.

On that night in 1995, after talking to a woman complaining of domestic violence threats, Constables Spears and Addison attended McGowan’s house in Walker Street at Crescent Head.

It is believed an altercation occurred between McGowan and the two officers. At some point McGowan produced a modified Ruger 14 rifle and the two officers retreated behind their 4WD.

McGowan then fired a number of shots at the officers while they sheltered behind their vehicle. Both officers returned fire from their position. A short time later Constables Addison and Spears got into the 4WD.

While Constable Addison radioed that they were in trouble McGowan shot Constable Spears in the head.

Constable Addison then again radioed that an officer was down before retreating across the road and entering a house in a bid to use a telephone to call for help.

After realising the house didn’t have a telephone Constable Addison left the house and exchanged shots with McGowan who was still beside the police vehicle.

A witness stated that then Constable Addison might have emptied his revolver while retreating to the rear of the house he just exited.

For reasons which were not clear, it is believed that Constable Addison attempted to go forward, with an empty gun and his torch shinning, but was shot dead by McGowan .

McGowan then shot himself and was found the next morning slumped on the lawn.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/984635/training-of-police-attacked/

Police Service fined over shootings

THE NSW Police Service has been fined $220,000 for not providing adequate training to two Kempsey police officers killed in a shootout at Crescent Head in 1995.

Senior Constable Peter Addison and Senior Constable Robert Spears, both residents of Port Macquarie, were shot and killed by John McGowan when they went to investigate a domestic violence complaint in the seaside village on the night of Saturday, July 9, 1995.

NSW WorkCover started proceedings, in the NSW Industrial Court, against the NSW Police Service in January 2001.

NSW WorkCover alleged a number of breaches of the Occupational, Health and Safety Act in relation to the deaths of Constables Addison and Spears.

In May of last year Justice Barrie Hungerford found that NSW Police had not provided Constables Spears and Addison with up-to-date training in high-risk situation tactics.

Justice Hungerford described the offence as being ‘extremely serious’ and noted that the officers had not undergone mandatory training in the use and reloading of weapons, use of torches, defensive tactics and communications.

In assessing the penalty, Justice Hungerford said the action taken by the Police Service since that fatal day to develop training programs and its previously clear occupational health and safety record.

“It is not unreasonable to conclude, in light of the clearly dangerous nature of the industry in which the Police Service operates, that the fact it has a clear occupational health and safety record is a weighty factor in its favour…,” Justice Hungerford said in his decision.

“Another relevant subjective consideration is the action taken by the defendant in respect of the Police Service in developing training programs for police officers, including the important program of ammunition training, and its leading role in that respect compared with police forces in other states,” he said.

WorkCover NSW acting general manager Michelle Patterson said “this tragic incident highlights the need for all employers to undertake appropriate risk management and to provide adequate training so that employees are able to carry out their duties”.

http://www.portnews.com.au/story/988050/police-service-fined-over-shootings/

Their pops would be proud

The web of family connections and history has only brought the Addisons and Spears closer.

The trio of boys, their sisters, their parents, and their grandmothers are almost inseparable.

Next year, they will all attend Police Remembrance Day for the first time as a whole family to reflect again on the lives Bob Spears and Peter Addison.

“It will be an opportunity for all colleagues to show we haven’t forgotten what happened,” Superintendent Paul Fehon said on Monday.

“It’s for us to remember, and for us to let the families know we will never forget their bravery.

“There was an impact on so many people.”

Police chaplain Father Paul Gooley will lead the service, which will be co-celebrated by Fr John Casey who was the LAC’s chaplain 20 years ago and conducted Sen. Const. Addison’s funeral.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will then present the National Police Service medals to the widows of the two officers to mark the men’s heroism and diligence to duty.

Deputy commissioners Catherine Burn and Nick Kaldas will also be at the service, as well as former commissioners, politicians and the heads of Ambulance NSW and Fire and Rescue NSW.

Former State Coroner Derrick Hand, who investigated the murders, is another notable guest.

The general public is also invited to attend, with plenty of space available in surrounding parkland.

The slain officers’ families will lay wreaths, followed by Commissioner Scipione and fellow police.

The community are also able to lay a wreath. A reception will take place following the ceremony at the Crescent Head Country Club.

Families of slain officers Peter Addison and Robert Spears united by love

• Samantha Townsend
• The Daily Telegraph
• July 09, 2015  1:02PM

Senior Constables Peter Addison and Robert Spears, both 36, were killed by a gunman after responding to a domestic violence call in Crescent Head on the Mid North Coast on July 9, 1995.

Their children Glenn Addison and Jade Spears, who were 16 and 15 at the time, met after their fathers’ deaths and went on to get married.

The pair, with their children Blake, 14, Joe, 12, and Charlie, 10, joined their mothers Liana and Kathy as well as family and friends today at a ceremony in the coastal town to mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Liana (Addison) Stewart, said their families would always be connected not only because of their loss but through the marriage of their children.

“There has to be good come out of this,” Liana said. “Our families will always be connected.”

She said the ceremony was a special day for the family and she knew “without a doubt” their legacy would stay strong.

“It’s nice they have never been forgot,” she said.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione presented National Police Service medals to the widows of the slain officers today in honour of the men, who gave their lives while attempting to apprehend an armed offender.

The Kempsey-based senior constables had been dispatched to Crescent Head to investigate a report of domestic violence in the early hours of July 9, 1995.

As they arrived in Walker St, the policemen came under fire from drunken gunman John McGowan, dressed in camouflage gear and hiding near a carport.

The officers returned fire as they sought cover behind their four wheel drive. Addison tried to call for back-up on their police radio when Spears was fatally wounded.

In a desperate bid to seek help for his dying friend, Addison ran to a nearby house but it didn’t have a telephone.

As he tried to enter another property, still returning fire, the 14-year police veteran was also shot dead by the gunman, who then turned his high-powered rifle on himself.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the heroic officers had “stood their ground, defending themselves and their community from a cowardly assassin”.

“Peter Addison was not prepared to leave his wounded friend and colleague… together they made the ultimate sacrifice and we will never forget them for it,” he said

Their deaths led to major reforms within the force including the transition from revolvers to automatic pistols, bulletproof vests for first response officers, improved radio coverage and equipment as well as state-of-the-art tactical training for uniformed police.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/families-of-slain-officers-peter-addison-and-robert-spears-united-by-love/story-fni0cx12-1227435275075

• Samantha Townsend Regional Reporter
• The Daily Telegraph
• July 09, 2015  12:00AM

Senior Constables Robert Spears and Peter Addison made the ultimate sacrifice when they were killed in the line of duty while protecting the community of Crescent Head on the Mid North Coast from an armed gunman on July 9, 1995.

Today is the 20th anniversary of their deaths and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has presented National Police Service medals to the widows of the slain officers in honour of the pair’s heroism and diligence to duty.

Spears and Addison, both 36, respectively the fathers of two and three children, had moved to the Mid North Coast for a better lifestyle.

The Daily Telegraph reported at that time that on the night on July 8, 1995, the officers had kissed their families goodbye and headed out for the late shift at Kempsey Police Station.

At 12.35am the officers received a distress call about a domestic violence incident at nearby Crescent Head from the former girlfriend of electrician John McGowan.

When they arrived into the township around 1am, The Daily Telegraph Mirror reported the police officers were confronted by a drunken McGowan dressed in camouflage gear and armed with a high-powered rifle.

THE DAY MURDER CAME TO MY SLEEPY BEACH TOWN

The officers were armed with police-issue .38 Smith and Wesson revolvers.

A call for back-up was made around 1.22am.

A NSW police spokesman told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that Spears was fatally wounded first, having been shot in the head.

Unable to get radio assistance, the spokesman said Addison dashed to a nearby home to use the landline but the occupants did not have one.

On his way to a second house, Addison was shot dead.

McGowan then turned the gun on himself.

In the hours after the incident, police swarmed into the town, warning residents to stay inside their homes.