Acting Police Commissioner Viv Rickard has praised the heroic and selfless actions of New Zealand Bravery Award recipients and their families who were recognised in an Investiture at Government House, Auckland, today.
The ceremony was the third in a series of investitures which has seen 31 people recognised in a special Bravery Honours List released in April. Three of today’s seven awards were posthumous ones and received by family members.
Two police officers – police dog handler Constable James (Zinny) Muir, Bay of Plenty, and Constable Nicolas Corley from Newmarket, Auckland were among those present and invested today by the Governor General Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand.
Constable Muir was presented with the New Zealand Bravery Decoration for his bravery in capturing a gunman who had fired at police in Mt Maunganui, June 2007.
“The Constable’s actions undoubtedly saved the life of a colleague and prevented potential harm to others,” Acting Commissioner Rickard said. “This was an extremely dangerous situation and Constable Muir acted calmly and professionally throughout.”
Constable Muir has also received a Gold Merit Award from the Commissioner and the Upham Award for bravery relating to the same incident.
Acting Commissioner Rickard said he was equally proud of Constable Corley who received the New Zealand Bravery Medal for his actions in freeing a driver trapped in a burning car.
This incident happened on 23 August 2008 in Rockfield Road, Oranga, Auckland, where a car had crashed into a power pole, fences, and other vehicles and then burst into flames. Constable Corley was in a passing patrol car. He stopped and ran to the driver’s assistance.
“Constable Corley was able to extricate the driver from the car as it exploded in flames. Both men required medical treatment for burns.
“All of us like to think we can make a difference when it counts,” Acting Commissioner Rickard said. “These two officers, like the people who featured in all the investitures, really stepped up. They have displayed great courage in situations not many of us have had to encounter.”
Acting Commissioner Rickard said he particularly felt for the families of the posthumous New Zealand Bravery Star recipients. They were Elim Christian School teacher the late Tony McClean and student the late Anthony Mulder for their bravery during the Mangatepopo Gorge tragedy; and also Auckland man the late Austin Hemmings who lost his life when he went to help a young woman in distress.
“The courage of all these people, some of them very young, is inspirational as is the dignity, strength and compassion of their families.”
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Released by
Kaye Calder
Police Public Affairs: PNHQ
Tel: 04 4602986