TWO police officers who dragged a man out of a burning car with help from an off-duty firefighter have received commendations for their efforts.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Senior Constable Rowan Weekley and Constable Michael McLeish were among dozens of officers from the Albury region recognised for bravery, dedicated investigative work and long service at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.
His Ford Falcon had hit a tree, leaving Mr Goulding trapped as a fire started in the engine bay.
The pair managed to pull off the door as nearby resident Andrew Furst dragged the driver from the vehicle, which was engulfed by fire only moments later.
Detective Sergeant Peter Owen, Senior Constable Scott Barton and Senior Constable Steven Thorpe were recognised for their role in an operation to arrest violent criminal Malcolm Naden in 2012.
Senior constables Ashley Williams and Steven Cigana were also commended for arresting a man armed with two knives on July 1 last year, while senior constables Matthew Stephenson and Vanessa Sergeant were commended for their role in arresting a violent offender who injured police officers in Lavington in July 2016.
Drug unit detectives also received citations for investigating the purchase of methamphetamine precursor materials from Bunnings Warehouse in Albury, which was allegedly linked to Bandidos bikies and resulted in four arrests in December.
Superintendent Evan Quarmby said there was little doubt the two officers saved Mr Goulding’s life when they pulled him out of his car.
“I always say police are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job,” he said.
“They never know what they are going to see from day to day and they certainly put themselves in harm’s way from time to time to protect our communities.
“There is no doubt at all these two police officers, assisted by a member of the public, saved that driver’s life.”
Mr Furst was also recognised at Tuesday’s event, along with other members of the public and emergency service workers.
Among those recognised for long service was Senior Sergeant Les Nugent, who joined the force in 1971.
Superintendent Quarmby said the ceremony had recognised “some outstanding acts of courage where police have put themselves in harms way”.
Next year’s ceremony will cover a wider region as the Albury command merges with much of the Deniliquin police area.
