Michael Leslie LOW

At 6.17pm on 29 February 1984 Constable Michael Low and Constable Derek Pickless attended a domestic dispute in North Rockhampton. At the residence a man named Reuter, who had appeared at court earlier in the day for obscene telephone calls, was in possession of a shotgun and a rifle.

After some difficulty in locating the exact address Low and Pickless arrived at the residence. Low exited the car first while Pickless advised police communications of their arrival. Pickless followed Low towards the house; Low knocked on the door and Reuter fired the shotgun through the door hitting Low in the chest. The Constable fell backwards off the steps and then Pickless, without regard for his own safety, dragged him to cover.

Realising that Low needed urgent medical attention, Pickless twice broke cover to get to the police car radio to call for help. Reuter continued to trade fire with him while he was caring for his stricken colleague. Police backup arrived and then Reuter's wife came out of the house to say that her husband had taken his own life. Constable Michael Low died at the scene.

Constable Derek Pickless was awarded the George Medal for Bravery for his actions during this incident.