A TAMWORTH police officer who was murdered during a routine traffic stop has today been posthumously honoured with an Australian Bravery Medal by the governor-general.
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Senior Constable David Rixon was gunned down in Lorraine St, West Tamworth on March 2, 2012, but managed to handcuff his killer before collapsing on the street.
Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, announced this morning the highway patrol officer was one of 25 recipients, and the only NSW police officer, to be honoured with the Australian Bravery Medal.
“To the Australians being honoured today, I offer my warmest congratulations and express my sincere gratitude for your contribution to our nation,” the Governor-General said.
“Sadly, there are those whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us. Today, to their families, I express the nation’s sadness at your loss but pride in your loved one’s actions.”
The Australian Bravery Decorations Council said Senior Constable Rixon “displayed considerable bravery” by apprehending an offender while seriously wounded.
On the morning of the fatal shooting, Senior Constable Rixon, a husband and father-of-six, observed the disqualified driver and pulled him over in Lorraine St, before approaching him.
“Soon after, and without warning, the offender produced a handgun and fired one shot which struck Senior Constable Rixon to the body,” the Council said.
“Despite being wounded he returned fire, critically wounding the offender.”
Senior Constable Rixon then re-holstered his pistol, handcuffed the offender before he collapsed.
Despite desperate attempts by his fellow colleagues and ambulance paramedics to revive him at the scene, he died soon afterwards.
Yesterday, Oxley Acting Superintendent Phil O’Reilly told The Leader Senior Constable Rixon was incredibly brave on the day he lost his life.
“This is a fitting recognition of an act of considerable bravery by David who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to this community,” he said.
“His family and wider police family miss him and we continue to remember his courage, and devotion to his duty and we wish that he could be here to receive this honour.” Following his death in 2012, Senior Constable Rixon was posthumously awarded the police valour award by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.
“We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to put themselves in harm’s way to assist others in need, and it is only fitting that they have today been recognised through the Australian Honours system,” Mr Cosgrove said.
“On behalf of all Australians, I thank them for their bravery. They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them.”
The family of Senior Constable Rixon will receive the honour for their late husband and father at an official service later this year.
