A man who was threatened with a bullet in the heart when he tried to stop a gunman from slaying his colleague says it is "bittersweet" being recognised for his bravery.
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Robert Strange is to receive a Bravery Medal among 62 other Australians honoured in the latest national bravery awards announced by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Monday.
The award acknowledges his selfless attempts to protect fellow NSW Environment and Heritage officer Glen Turner, who was shot dead by farmer Ian Turnbull at a northern NSW property in July 2014.
The pair were conducting a compliance inspection at a property in Croppa Creek just south of the Queensland border.
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"Look it's very humbling but bittersweet," Mr Strange told AAP.
"Nothing will undo the horrendous events of that day."
Turnbull shot Mr Turner twice with a hunting rifle before stalking him for more than 20 minutes as he tried hiding behind a vehicle.
As he kept his wounded colleague aware of the gunman's movements, Mr Strange tried several times to move him to safety.
At one point the rifle was pointed at him and he was told to "get back or you'll get one in the heart."
When darkness fell Turnbull would shoot Mr Turner twice more and, again ignoring Mr Strange's pleas, fired the third and fatal shot when the 51-year-old made a desperate dash for freedom.
"Mr Strange immediately went to the wounded man and attempted CPR," his award reads.
"By his actions, Mr Strange displayed considerable bravery."
"It's really nice people say that but you don't think of that at the time," Mr Strange said.
"Honestly, I'd hope that anyone else in that position would do the exact same thing."
He hopes the award will remind people of Mr Turner's life and the pain both their families are still going through.
"I don't talk about it with my kids but if they raise it I try and articulate it as best I can, that Dad's just having a bad week."
"There's no trigger, I just get this feeling of sadness."
Turnbull died in 2017 while serving a 35-year sentence for killing Mr Turner and detaining Mr Strange.
Australian Associated Press
