A POPULAR Inverell police officer who made a miraculous recovery after being hit by a car has been farewelled, calling it a day on his career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Senior Constable John Fleming was piped out of the Inverell Police Station yesterday morning with hat in hand in a traditional ceremony by colleagues from across the New England, capping off 36 years in the NSW Police Force
John John, as he is affectionately known to his Inverell colleagues, has been off the beat for more than 12 months after he was involved in a car accident whilst riding his bike on the Rifle Ranges Rd in March, last year.
But the long road to recovery has been nothing short of a medical miracle.
“It was not an exaggeration, to suggest the prospects looked fairly grim for his immediate survival,” Inverell Inspector Rowan O’Brien told The Leader yesterday.
“But the extraordinary care offered to him at the scene, and in the Inverell hospital and then when he was airlifted down to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle enabled him to surprise all medical experts and pull through.
“Whilst he’s back to his health, it’s no longer medically possible for him to continue in the NSW Police Force and, therefore, he exits the organisation that he has dedicated the 36 best years of his life too.”
Senior Constable Fleming was sworn in as a police officer on May 14, 1979 and was posted to several metropolitan commands before a country tree change in the job.
He was stationed at Glen Innes before moving to take up positions in Casino, Kyogle and back to Inverell where he has been for almost 25 years.
“He’s just been a constant for those officers that have served here,” Inspector O’Brien said.
“He has that wealth of local knowledge that he offers to others.
“And, upon reflection, its been 36 years of the strongest and healthiest part of his life, so as an organisation – he’s a bit battered and bruised – it’s now time to return him to his wife for duty.”
But Senior Constable Fleming isn’t resting, he’s now become a familiar face to several organisations, volunteering his time around town to help others.