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REMEMBERING SILK AND MILLER Slain Victoria Police officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller were posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal (NPSM) recently. The presentation happened in the lead up to National Police Remembrance Day, held on Thursday, 29 September each year. It is a day for police and the public to honour the dedicated men and women who have died serving their community. The families of Sgt Silk and Sen Const Miller attended the annual memorial service, on 16 August at St Kilda Police Station for what was the 18th anniversary of the tragic deaths. Sgt Silk and Sen Const Miller were staking out a restaurant in Moorabbin at about midnight when a car took off. They followed it down Cochranes Road, pulled it over and as they approached the vehicle, were gunned down at close range.
The murders sent shockwaves across the state, but to the Victoria Police family, it was devastating. After a massive manhunt, Bandali Debs, from Narre Warren, and Jason Roberts, from Cranbourne, were found guilty of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. At the recent memorial service, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton presented a NPSM to Sen Const Miller’s son, James, and Sgt Silk’s brother, Ian. Sen Const Miller’s wife, Carmel Arthur, held back tears as she described what receiving the medals meant to her family. “It’s such a significant medal and enormously moving for our whole family,” she said. “James was just seven weeks old when this happened, so it means a lot that it was presented to him.” Ms Arthur said she appreciated the yearly memorial.
“I love the ceremony, it shows that the work Rod and Gary did is never forgotten. It also helps signify the very special bond my family has with Victoria Police.” Wangaratta Police Station’s Senior Constable Scott Miller is Sen Const Miller’s nephew. He has been a police officer for 10 years. “Days like today remind me of the importance of my police mates,” he said. “Not everyone who attends these services knew Gary and Rod, but they are all here to support our family and it is fantastic.” Sgt Silk’s brother, Ian, said the NPSM would have pride of place at his mother’s house. “Receiving the medal shows us that the police family continues to recognise our slain officers, even 18 years after their death. It means a great deal to the families.”
Image Proud moment 01 Ms Arthur, CCP Ashton, James Miller, Ian Silk and his mother, Val, and bother, Peter, attended the service. Editorial: Janae Houghton Photography: Andrew Henshaw POLICE LIFE | SPRING 2016
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