TRIBUTE TO POLICE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 9 January 1931, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO POLICE

CORONER PRAISES HEROISM. VICTIMS OF BONDI MANIAC. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The coroner has decided that John Thomas Kennedy was of unsound mind when lie shot Constables Allen and Andrews on Saturday; also that Constable Jolmsou was justified in shooting Kennedy. The coroner expressed the highest appreciation of the heroism of the dead policeman and he expressed the hope that the Police Department would provide appropriate posthumous awards to their next-of-kin. He suggested that Constable Johnson be rewarded in some manner for his timely action There was a sensational happening on Saturday morning at Bondi Junction, stated an earlier cable. A man j named Kennedy, known as \\ averley Bill, entered a shop, purchased goods and refused to pay. Tlie shop attendant called Constable Allen, and when the constable entered Kennedy drew a revolver and shot him dead. Kennedy then hurried out and made for home. A second constable, Andrews, -jumped from ja passing bus and gave chase. Upon his reaching Kennedy’s home Kennedy attacked him with a knife, inflicting stabs which proved fatal. Shortly afterwards a third constable, Johnston, went to Kennedy’s place and, in an altercation, shot Kennedy, who -is now in hospital in a dying condition. The {police seized a great quantity of ammunition in Kennedy’s room.