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General News

28 August, 2019

Remembering the fallen

WITH the National Police Remembrance Day less than a month away, the Tablelands Patrol Group took the opportunity at their monthly social club meeting last Thursday to once again remember one of their own.

By Rhys Thomas

Remembering the fallen - feature photo

WITH the National Police Remembrance Day less than a month away, the Tablelands Patrol Group took the opportunity at their monthly social club meeting last Thursday to once again remember one of their own.

Former Mareeba police officer Casey Blain, who tragically lost his life in a car accident just outside of Georgetown on March 29, 2013, was acknowledged at the meeting as his parents Ray and Lynette Blain were in Mareeba to present a gift to the patrol group for supporting Casey and his family before and after his death.

"Six and a half years ago we lost Casey, and throughout that whole journey the police family has been with us every step of the way, and I’m sure they’ll continue to be with us moving into the future,” Casey’s father Ray Blain said.

“Because of that support, we thought it would be timely to give something back as it will make us feel like we’re moving forward together.”

Mr Blain presented the Tablelands Patrol Group with a replica bell from the Queensland Police’s Tactical Response boat that was launched under the name of Casey Blain in Brisbane.

“We’re extremely proud to present this police station with the bell, and hopefully it acts as a reminder and reflection of the wonderful person Casey was,” he said.

In addition to acknowledging Casey, another important way the Tablelands Patrol Group are getting involved in remembering fallen officers includes the Wall to Wall Ride which is held in Canberra on Saturday, September 14.

The Wall to Wall Ride acts as a special tribute that honours the service and sacrifices of many law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Tablelands Patrol Group Inspector Russell Rhodes will be heading down to Canberra next month to participate in his fifth Wall to Wall, and it’s an initiative he described as “extremely important”.

“I will be going down this year with Senior Sergeant Trotter who recently retired, Cairns Police’s Russ Parker, and retired inspector from Brisbane Steve Imhoff,” Inspector Rhodes said.

“It’s a chance for all four of us to represent Queensland Police as well as those officers we knew personally who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“There were two officers who I knew so well, and I ride to acknowledge them as friends and as police officers who were integral to policing in the Far North.

“Bamaga Senior Constable Sally Urquhart tragically lost her life in the Lockhart plane crash on May 7, 2005 while Constable Casey Blain passed away in a traffic accident on Newcastle Road roughly 20 kilometres outside of Georgetown.

“I worked with both of them and I love the opportunity to go down to Canberra and remember their contribution to the force.”

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