Police officer Damien Leeding shot in the face, his family conducting a bedside vigil | The Australian
A WOMAN and two men have been charged with attempted murder after the shooting of a police officer on the Gold Coast.
Senior Constable Damian Leeding was shot in the face at close range with a shotgun after responding to a triple-0 call to an armed robbery and hostage-taking last night at the Pacific Pines Tavern.
He was kept alive by several of his fellow police officers, including his partner, and today remained in a critical condition at a Gold Coast hospital.
Police this afternoon charged two Nerang men, aged 37 and 38, and a Nerang woman, 37, over the shooting.
The trio have also been charged with armed robbery and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today said he held “grave fears” for Senior Constable Leeding, who is in the intensive care ward of the Southport hospital.
“When the police are aware and get called to an armed robbery in progress they have to attend, that's their role, that's their responsibility,” Mr Atkinson said.
“In the immediacy of that situation, they have no idea what they are about to confront but they have to go.
“That's what has happened last night, this is the worst-case scenario from our point of view.”
He said Senior Constable Leeding had served his whole policing career on the Gold Coast, where his wife is also stationed as a senior constable.
Senior Constable Leeding was on patrol with his female detective when they received the callout to the tavern.
He was shot while his partner acted with “bravery and coutrage”.
Soon after, Mr Atkinson said, another unit arrived on the scene and Senior Constable Leeding was given CPR and first-aid.
The dog squad were able to track two of the alleged offenders close by, while the third was found later.
Police Minister Neil Roberts said police were dedicated to protecting Queenslanders and this was a stark reminder of the dangers of the job.
“Our hearts and minds and thoughts of course are now with his wife and family and of course with Damian,” he said.
“We hope and pray that he recovered from these awful injuries.”
Responding to calls for a specific armed robbery taskforce on the former glitter strip, Mr Roberts said that decision was a matter for the police service.
At least they got the bastards.
At last word The officer is still in ICU in a critical condition.
Send prayers and thoughts if you can.
Stay safe
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Results 1 to 15 of 16
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05-30-11 07:27 AM #1
RIP S/Const RIXON
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Officer shot in face with shotgun...
"He didn't want to tell the cop he was on his way to the Butt Pirate Palace for a little two-step with Joe-Joe during the Village People marathon." - Cat_Doc
"Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again...Don't blink..." Kenny Chesney
"Take care, never leave home on bad terms, watch your back and go home in one piece." - Aussie Nathan
"The batton in my jacket is hot like a porn actor to beat someone down." - Patchcop
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05-30-11 07:54 AM #2
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My thoughts and prayers to him, his family and co-workers. God Bless all.
Jim Reed: You just have to know how to arrest them and still make them like you. We call it technique.Adam 12
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05-30-11 08:40 AM #3
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Thoughts and prayers said.
Creeper Cop
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05-30-11 10:24 AM #4
Slippin' the surly bonds
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Thoughts, prayers, good vibes, whatever else I can do are headed his and his families way.
"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem." - Ronald Reagan
Sgt. Ervin Romans (OPD) - EOW March 21, 2009
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05-30-11 06:04 PM #5
RIP S/Const RIXON
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Damian's condition is still critical but he is still hanging in there.
"He didn't want to tell the cop he was on his way to the Butt Pirate Palace for a little two-step with Joe-Joe during the Village People marathon." - Cat_Doc
"Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again...Don't blink..." Kenny Chesney
"Take care, never leave home on bad terms, watch your back and go home in one piece." - Aussie Nathan
"The batton in my jacket is hot like a porn actor to beat someone down." - Patchcop
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05-30-11 06:53 PM #6
Fair Dinkum Aussie
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Very sad news,...I hope he gets better soon, thinking of him, his family, friends, & fellow officers.
A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, Jolted by every pebble on the road.
You can’t drive into the future if you are looking into a rear vision mirror.
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05-31-11 05:19 AM #7
Living the dream
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His family has made a decision to turn off his life support. Rest in Peace.
"Peach"
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05-31-11 08:00 AM #8
Back in my day!!!!
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Damn. My heart goes to the family.
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Apparently, I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what Barack & Michelle Obama do with mine
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Originally Posted by Cat_Doc
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05-31-11 08:25 AM #9
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Prayers being sent.
Be Safe."DON'T TOUCH THE TROOPER!"
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05-31-11 10:04 AM #10
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QldCop is from his area and I also heard from him about the tragic news earlier tonight. Work has been very good at keeping us all posted on Damian's condition, and it is so sad to hear the latest news.
Apparently they are waiting for his father to fly in from overseas.
Prayers and thoughts go out to his wife, Sonya, who is also in the job, and their whole family.
Too sad.
Stay safe people."He didn't want to tell the cop he was on his way to the Butt Pirate Palace for a little two-step with Joe-Joe during the Village People marathon." - Cat_Doc
"Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again...Don't blink..." Kenny Chesney
"Take care, never leave home on bad terms, watch your back and go home in one piece." - Aussie Nathan
"The batton in my jacket is hot like a porn actor to beat someone down." - Patchcop
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05-31-11 10:14 AM #11
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News Update - Not Good
THE family of a Gold Coast police officer shot while trying to stop an armed robbery will turn off his life support in the next 24 hours.
Senior Constable Damian Leeding was shot in the face at the Pacific Pines Tavern on Sunday night.
A police statement tonight said: "The Queensland Police Service understands that the family of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding have made the heartbreaking decision to turn off life support in the next 24 hours on medical advice concerning his condition....................
Click Here For Update
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05-31-11 11:36 AM #12
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Not good news. Sorry to learn of this. My prayers & thoughts sent his way.
Please know that I pray for each of you daily. Be very careful out there & BE SAFE.
De Oppresso Liber.
Paul
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05-31-11 11:23 PM #13
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info copied from the QPS fb page.Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding passed away shortly before 1pm. The QPS extends its condolences to family, friends and colleagues. Funeral details will be provided as they become available.A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, Jolted by every pebble on the road.
You can’t drive into the future if you are looking into a rear vision mirror.
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05-31-11 11:47 PM #14
RIP S/Const RIXON
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RIP Damian.
Too sad.
Stay safe"He didn't want to tell the cop he was on his way to the Butt Pirate Palace for a little two-step with Joe-Joe during the Village People marathon." - Cat_Doc
"Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again...Don't blink..." Kenny Chesney
"Take care, never leave home on bad terms, watch your back and go home in one piece." - Aussie Nathan
"The batton in my jacket is hot like a porn actor to beat someone down." - Patchcop
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06-01-11 04:02 AM #15
Heavy Boned
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Just got the update from Disco on Facebook.
RIP fella.Hand in Hand!
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