Douglas George GORDON

On 27 March at 2.45am, Constable Gordon of Oxley Police Station and Constable Polzin of neighbouring Inala Station were sent to a house where a domestic disturbance was in progress. The residence was occupied by the Stabe family. Both police officers left the address without incident.

About 5.15am Constable Gordon was called to the Oxley ambulance centre to investigate an altercation between an ambulance officer and Mr Stabe. Gordon spoke to these two men for a short time outside the centre. Stabe's wife was injured and the ambulance officer had wanted to take her to the Princess Alexandria Hospital but Stabe had insisted that the wounds were not serious. Mrs Stabe asked Constable Gordon to go with her to her home so that she could pack some clothing. Gordon agreed and said he would then take her to the hospital.

About 5.30am Constable Gordon drove to the Stabe house in Inala. When Constable Polzin arrived, Mrs Stabe was on the steps with her suitcases and Gordon could be seen in the lounge room with Mr Stabe. Polzin entered the house and heard Gordon say to Stabe "Where is it now?". Stabe went into the bedroom followed by Gordon and then Polzin. Stabe knelt beside the far side of the bed, looked under the bed, then looked up at Gordon and said "Copper Bastard!". Stabe then grabbed a .310 rifle, swung around and shot two rounds in the direction of Gordon. As the first shot went off both officers were moving backward out of the room but the second shot hit Gordon in the head, killing him instantly.

Polzin managed to overpower Stabe after a brief but strenuous struggle for the rifle. Stabe was later found guilty of the murder of Constable Douglas Gordon and jailed for life.