NSW: Senior police officer found shot dead inside police centre

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2004
NSW: Senior police officer found shot dead inside police centre

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - A detective sergeant found shot dead in NSW Police Headquarters
in Sydney today was an experienced and distinguished officer, said NSW Police Commissioner
Ken Moroney.

The body of the 51-year-old detective was found by colleagues inside the weapons store
room at police headquarters in Parramatta shortly before midday (AEST), police said.

Police today had yet to formally release the deceased officer's name as family were
still being informed.

Mr Moroney said a special team of investigators had been brought in from Bankstown
police station to investigate the death.

While he would not confirm the cause of the man's death, police said the incident was
not being treated as suspicious.

The commissioner paid tribute to the officer, who joined the force in 1969, and had
not been on duty today.

"He's a very experienced police officer, having served with distinction, not only in
NSW, and having been involved in a number of very high profile homicides," Mr Moroney
told reporters.

"But equally as important (he) has served with distinction in the War Crimes Commission
in The Hague."

Mr Moroney said the officer had only returned from The Netherlands in recent months
to restart his service with the NSW Police Force.

"On behalf of all his colleagues I extend our sympathies to his family and friends,"

Mr Moroney said.

"Inquiries are still continuing at this stage, but I anticipate that the majority of
our inquiries will be complete by today."

The officer's colleagues at the NSW State Crime Command in Parramatta were being counselled
by police chaplain Barry Dwyer.

AAP ld/smb/sp/bwl

KEYWORD: SHOOT 2ND LEAD

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