Queen's Awards for bravery

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 421, 28 January 1992, Page 1

Queen's Awards for bravery

Two more Queen's awards for Waimarino people were among those announced late last month, in recognition for bravery. Writer and house father Peter Sutton, who now lives in Taupo, is to receive the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his actions in going to the aid of Waimarino Traffic Officcr Ian Harrison during an armed attack on

him by two criminals. Mr Harrison receivcd the award of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for his part in the same incident. Mr Sutton's citation reads: "On the afternoon of 23 August 1988 Mr Sutton and his family were travelling seuth on State Highway Four. At Owhango they came Turnpage2

Two more bravery awards

From page 1 upon a traffic officer who was lying on the ground near his patrol vehicle being severely assaulted by a man. Mr Sutton stoppcd his vehicle went to the traffic, officer's assistance only to be confronted by a second man pointing a pistol at him and the traffic officer. The gunman fired two shots at them, the second striking Mr Sutton in the leg. A third shot lodged in the side of Mr Sutton's vehicle containing his family. , "The gunman and his companion then promptly left the scene in their vehicle. "Mr Sutton, without thought for himself displayed exemplary courage in going to the assistance of the traffic officer and almost certainly saved his life." Mr Harrison's citation reads: "On the afternoon

of 23 August 1988, Traffic Officer Ian Harrison stopped the driver of a motor vehicle for speeding on State Highway 4 at Owhango. "He asked the driver back to his patrol vehicle in order to issue a Traffic Offence Notice. He also suspected the driver te be under the influence of alcohol so he carried out a breath screening test. "At this point a passenger of the offender's vehicle approached the patrol car in what appeared to be a menacing manner. "Realising that the situation was becoming ominous, Mr Harrison radioed for help. At this stage the person he was processing assaulted him. The passenger then became involved by restraining Mr Harrison around the neck with the radio telephone cord which had been torn from its mounting. Following sevcral further blows to Traffic Officer Harrison the two men decided that the passenger would take him hostage in the patrol car and travel south with him driving, while the olher man would lead in

his vehicle. Traffic Officer Harrison while still restrained tightly around the neck by the radio cord, began a U-tum in order to fol low the vother vehicle. He had already unlocked his car door and while

executing the U-tum he opened the door and rolled out the car onto the road. Mr Harrison's captor jumped out of the car after him and severely assaulted him. At this point Mr Peter Sutton camc upon the

scene." During a press conference following the incident in August 1988, Mr Sutton said Mr Harrison had saved himself and that he had prevented anything further happening to him.