Inaugural Association Bravery Award honours officer who saved two children from burning van
The outstanding bravery of Police Inspector Mike O’Leary in rescuing two children from a burning van last year was honoured at the Police Association’s 75th Annual Conference, when he received the inaugural New Zealand Police Association Bravery Award.
Prime Minister John Key presented the award at a ceremony attended by Mike O’Leary’s family as well as Police Commissioner Howard Broad and Assistant Commissioner Jon White.
The emotion of the occasion was further heightened by the attendance of Kawana Kemp, the older of two boys whom Inspector O’Leary rescued from the van.
Kawana’s sister Fiona, who is now his caregiver after Kawana’s Mum died in the blaze, also attended the presentation, as did Inspector O’Leary’s family.
“There is no doubt that, but for Mike O’Leary’s actions, the two children trapped in the burning van would not have survived,” said Police Association President Greg O’Connor.
Off duty response
Inspector O’Leary was off duty, travelling with his family when he witnessed a head-on crash near Taupo on 24 April 2009.
One of the vehicles, a van with six occupants, flipped and rolled several times before bursting into flames.
Inspector O’Leary braved the intense flames and small explosions to pull a two year old boy from the vehicle and carry him to safety, before returning to rescue Kawana, the older of the two boys, from the burning vehicle.
He had to lean into the burning vehicle to do so and suffered burns to his hands as a result.
Before the Bravery Award presentation took place, a short television clip, filmed the day after the events, was played in which Inspector O’Leary described the horrendous scene that confronted him.
Ideals upheld
“Inspector O’Leary’s actions exemplified the traditions and highest ideals of policing.
The New Zealand Police Association Bravery Award is the highest honour the Police Association can bestow on one of its members to recognise such an extraordinary and inspirational act.
The fact that Kawana was able to be with us as we presented the award really underscored what this award is all about,” Mr O’Connor said.
Prime Minister John Key said the award was a great way to pay tribute to a remarkable New Zealander, who had risked his own life to save two others.
“Through his courageous actions and quick thinking, two New Zealanders’ lives havebeen saved and I think all New Zealanders will want to come together and pay tribute to Mike O’Leary.
“He really took an amazing risk that he was going to have the car explode, and suffered significant burns himself and that still didn’t stop him,” Mr Key said.
Praise
Kawana Kemp, who suffered extensive burns in the accident, was just as keen to heap praise on Mr O’Leary.
“He’s pretty cool and I really think he deserves this award, because he is a really brave man and I’d like to say thanks to Mr O’Leary for saving my life,” he said.
Mr O’Connor said that Inspector O’Leary’s bravery was “extraordinary”.
Despite his act of bravery Mr O’Leary was determined to acknowledge others who had been involved at the scene.
“I applaud the actions of Peter Booth of Taupo as without his pocket knife we may not have been so lucky,” he said.
He also spoke of his extreme pride for his family and the role they played at the accident scene.
Police Minister Judith Collins also congratulated Inspector Mike O’Leary. “If it wasn’t for his bravery and his coolheaded commitment to duty, the toll on that terrible night would have been higher.
“It is reassuring to know that officers such as Inspector O’Leary are out there every day keeping the public safe. I congratulate him on this award.
His courage is an inspiration,” Ms Collins said.
Cool head in an emergency
“Whether on or off duty, it is the unique role of police officers to step in and take charge in an emergency – to be the cool head when faced with danger, and protect the public to the best of their ability.
“Even so, Mike’s actions in rescuing the two children, despite fierce flames and at considerable risk to himself, demonstrated extraordinary bravery, above and beyond all reasonable expectations of a police officer performing his duty,” Association President Greg O’Connor said.
“The New Zealand Police Association Bravery Award is an award in which I believe future generations of police will take considerable pride.
There is no doubt Inspector O’Leary is a most worthy recipient of the inaugural Bravery Award. His bravery sets an inspiring standard on which the traditions and mana of the award will continue to be built over time,” Mr O’Connor added.
