IT was a day of double celebrations for Senior Constable Roger Taig on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Portland-based officer was announced as the recipient of the Paul Quinn Memorial Award while also receiving a Commander's Certificate during the Chifley Local Area Command's award presentation.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione presented Sen Const Taig with his award, which recognises an officer in the command who leads by example and is someone his peers aspire to be.
Sergeant Paul Quinn was just 25 years old when he was killed in an exchange of gunfire at Perthville 30 years ago.
Tragically, Sergeant Quinn had only just returned to his home town of Bathurst and was on his fifth shift with the station when he was killed.
At yesterday's ceremony, Commissioner Scipione said even though Sergeant Quinn's death was 30 years ago, it was still sobering, and a tragic reminder of the dangers police face every time they start a shift.
Local Area Commander Supt Michael Robinson said the award was created back in 2012 with the support of Sergeant Quinn's parents, Barbara and the late Brian Quinn, and the award personified the traits shown by Sergeant Quinn.
"It's not about a single effort, but an officer who displays consistently high levels day in and day out, an officer other police look up to and aspire to be and an example to other police and the community at large," he said.
Supt Robinson said the nominees were put forward by their peers and said it was a very difficult decision to chose who won, given the high quality field of nominations.
"The award carries particular significance this year, being the 30th anniversary since Sergeant Quinn was killed," Supt Robinson said.
He said that later this year police will be naming the police compound on top of Mount Panorama in Sergeant Quinn's honour.
After receiving the award, Sen Const Taig said it was a "terrific honour" and one he was certainly not expecting.
"I had absolutely no idea," he said.
"But I am extremely honoured. When it comes to police work I just strive to do the very best I can," he said.