John Irving BURGESS

New South Wales Police Force

Goulburn Police Academy Class # 216

Regd. # 22455

Rank: Commenced Training – 28 October 1985

Probationary Constable – appointed 17 January 1986

Constable – appointed 17 January 1987

Final Rank: Constable

Service:  From 28 October 1985 to 29 April 1989 = 3+ years Service

Stations:  ? ,Balmain ( 8 Division ) – death

Awards:  ? nil find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Monday  25 April 1960

Event date:  Thursday  27 April 1989

Event location:  Booth St & Jonston St, Annandale, NSW

Event type: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Caged vehicle – Urgent Duty ( Passenger: Cst Andrew Mortimer )

Died:  Saturday  29 April 1989

Age:  29 yrs  4 days  ( 4 days into his 29th year )

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland

Buried at:  Cremated;

Ashes – Wall of Memories, Panel 30, GG, 0256

JOHN IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance but the DATE is INCORRECT

Should read 29 April 1989

About 2.25am on 27 April, 1989 Constable Burgess was driving a caged police vehicle in Booth Street, Annandale. Constable Andrew Mortimer was observer in the vehicle and they were responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad police. At the intersection of Johnston Street, the police vehicle collided with a semi trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died two days later ( on the 29 April ) at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when life support systems were turned off.

The constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 October, 1985. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.

The Canberra Times

Monday  1 May 1989   page 3 of 36

Policeman dies

SYDNEY: A policeman who received severe injuries in a collision involving a police paddy wagon last Thursday died late on Saturday.

Constable John Burgess, 29, received head and chest injuries in the accident between the paddy wagon and a refrigeration truck at Annandale in Sydney’s inner-west, shortly before 2am.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/122258616

Further reading:  https://www.australianpolice.com.au/woronora-cemetery-wall-of-remembrance/

Location of collision: 

Adam Plummer is with Ron Page and 5 others.

April 30, 2019 ·

Yesterday I attended Balmain Town Hall for the 30-year memorial service of the tragic death of Constable John Burgess on the 27 April 1989 whom died whilst on duty responding to an urgent call for assistance from Gaming Squad Police.

At the intersection of Johnston Street, Annandale the police vehicle he was driving collided with a semi-trailer and deflected onto a power pole. As a result of the accident Constable Andrew Mortimer suffered fractures to his ribs and jaw, and Constable Burgess suffered severe head and internal injuries. Constable Burgess died about twelve hours later at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

John was one of life’s true gentlemen and one of the nicest blokes I ever had the privilege of knowing. He was an excellent Police Officer, compassionate, empathetic and always willing to help. I’m proud to have called him a mate.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen my old 8 Division buddies and whilst under sad circumstances it was great to see Paul Winfield, Don Stuart, Sean Hampstead and Ron Page and share a few laughs about our time working together in the late ‘80’s.

It was also great to see Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson, a friend who gave a very moving and emotional speech about his friendship with John and how missed he is. It was refreshing to hear such a senior officer in the NSW Police share such personal reflections about a fellow officer.

It was a tragic time for Policing back then as a week earlier we also lost Constable Alan McQueen fatally shot whilst on duty. We have lost many other Officers before and after that time confirming how dangerous a job it is.

Whilst I was only in the Police from ‘85-‘90 I still feel a part of the thin blue line brotherhood and yesterday confirmed how friendships forged 30 years ago endure the test of time.

RIP John Burgess. ??