By Holly Tregenza and Chantelle Al-Khouri
Photo: AFP/David Gray
The police officer who stopped Bondi Junction Westfield attacker Joel Cauchi has been recognised with the Commissioner's Valour Award.
Inspector Amy Scott was labelled a hero and credited with saving lives after she pursued Cauchi through the shopping centre after a stabbing rampage which ended in the deaths of six people.
Among the victims was 38-year-old Ashlee Good whose nine-month-old baby was also injured, and Faraz Tahir, a 30-year-old Pakistani national who was working as a security guard.
Witnesses described seeing Inspector Scott sprinting through the centre as shoppers ran the other way.
The award is a commendation for officers who display exceptional bravery in life-threatening situations.
"I am incredibly honoured and grateful to receive an award on this level, however those mixed emotions are with the fact I do feel like I'm taking it on behalf of my team, because I don't want people to forget how incredible they were on that day," Inspector Scott said.
She thanked first responders, the "acts of bravery" from the general public, as well as the victims and their loved ones.
"It's really important for me to keep those people at the forefront of everything, and that's where they are for me, always on my mind."
The ceremony, at the Goulburn Police Academy, also saw the graduation for 169 new officers.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told the new graduates Inspector Scott was an example of "going above and beyond".
"There will be days that challenge you, but also many rewarding days," she said.
"While we don't become police officers for recognition, it is important to recognise those who go above and beyond to protect the community of New South Wales.
"Detective inspector Amy Scott is an example of this."
Photo: AFP
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2nd L), New South Wales Premier Chris Minns (2nd R) and federal member of parliament Allegra Spender (L) leave flowers outside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall in Sydney the day after the attack on 14 April, 2024.
Ordinary day which turned to terror
Inspector Scott was conducting routine checks near the shopping centre when the attack began on 13 April.
As people already inside the centre directed her toward Cauchi on level five, his victims lay injured on the floor.
Footage of the following confrontation shows Inspector Scott yelling at Cauchi to put the knife down before he advances towards her and she shoots him in the chest.
In the moments after, Inspector Scott rendered first aid to Cauchi while simultaneously moving members of the public away from the scene.
Cauchi, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, could not be revived.
The family of Cauchi released a statement which said they had "no issues with the police officer who shot our son" and said she was "only doing her job to protect others".
NSW Premier Chris Minns was joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders in labelling Inspector Scott a hero.
"She has been rightly labelled a hero. She was calm, decisive, and as a result she saved many lives," he said.
"She gives us all an example of what we ask of our police, many of whom are young, to walk into terrible situations as an ordinary part of their job."
He told the graduates at the Goulburn ceremony there was "no finer example of professionalism and instinctive courage" than Inspector Scott.
Inspector Scott said she hoped her career would not be defined by one incident.
"At the end of the day, we're all ordinary people who are sometimes called upon to do extraordinary things," she said.
- ABC