TWO police officers have been awarded the highest bravery honour after they were threatened by a man with a crossbow in a terrifying incident near Tenterfield in 2012.
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On Friday, husband and wife, Sergeant Carter Knyvett and Senior Constable Karen Peasley were given valour awards for “conspicuous merit and exceptional bravery during the arrest of the armed offender” at Rocky River on April 15.
After attempts to subdue Ryan Pringle with a taser, Mr Pringle was shot by Sergeant Knyvett when he charged at the officers with a crossbow.
Both officers conducted CPR on Mr Pringle until ambulance paramedics arrived, but he died shortly after.
At the police academy in Goulburn yesterday morning, both Knyvett and Peasley, who has since been promoted to sergeant, were presented the exceptional bravery awards by police commissioner Andrew Scipione.
In 2012, the pair were called to the School of Happiness commune, a remote property out of Tenterfield, about 8pm following reports of a man threatening people with a knife.
Commissioner Scipione said as they arrived at the property, they were confronted by the man, who refused to comply with their directions.
The man then dropped the knife and retreated into darkness.
Commissioner Scipione said the officers displayed selfless courage in the line of duty.
“In an effort to ensure the safety of the members of the public, the officers evacuated the site,” an official release said yesterday.
“During this time, the offender reappeared with a crossbow and pointed it at Knyvett and Peasley, ordering them to drop their weapons.
“The man ignored all directions to drop the crossbow and advanced towards the officers. Sergeant Knyvett then discharged his firearm a number of times and struck the man.”
A critical incident investigation was set up following the police shooting of Mr Pringle, son of Balmain rugby league star Neil Pringle, but both officers were cleared of any wrongdoing.
A witness at the time said the police offices had saved the lives of a woman and others at the scene who had been threatened with a knife by Mr Pringle.
Yesterday, acting superintendent Ann Joy told The Leader the pair were very deserving of the awards.
“They showed extreme courage and as result of that incident they have received appropriate acknowledgement,” she said.
“It is the highest bravery recognition for a police officer.”
Both officers left Tenterfield region in 2012 to take up positions in Sydney squads.
