Australian Police

Australian Police

The Thin Blue Line – Australian Police

2017ArticlesCauseCommittedCrematedCurrently ServingDeceased PoliceDepressionFuneralFuneral booklet attachedGenderGPSIllnessIncompleteLocationMaleNoOf Church servicePhotosPTSDStateSuicideVicWall of RemembranceYear

Gavin John FREW

image_pdfimage_print

Gavin John EW

Late of Mt Bruno, formerly of Horsham

Victoria police force

Regd.  27893

Rank:  Leading Senior Constable

 

Stations: Broadmeadows, Ararat, Horsham and Wangaratta HWP – Death

 

ServiceFrom  ? ? 1989  to  24 September 2017= ? years Service

 

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

 

Born:   26 March 1969

Died on:  Sunday  24 September 2017

Age:  48

Cause:  PTSD – Suicide

 

Event location:   ?

Event date:   ?

 

Funeral date:  5 October 2017 @ 10.30am

Funeral location:  Our Lady’s Catholic Church, corner of Murdoch Road and White Street, Wangaratta

 

Buried at:  Private Cremation

 

 Funeral Director:   Mason Park Funerals – 03 57215060

Memorial located at?

 

Gavin John FREW

GAVIN is NOT mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra  *NEED MORE INFO

He is NOT mentioned on the VicPol Wall of Remembrance ( March 2018 )


FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal


May they forever Rest In Peace


Frew Gavin- Funeral Service Booklet – pdf


Family mourns dedicated Wangaratta police officer, father and ‘lovable idiot’ Gavin Frew

The death of Leading Senior Constable Gavin Frew has devastated his family and Wangaratta police colleagues who always found joy in his unique ways.

He had been stationed with the Wangaratta Highway Patrol in recent years after moving to the region from Horsham, but died this week.

Daughter Kaycee Frew said her father was her best friend.

“He was a loving husband, an amazing father and a lovable idiot to all,” she said.

“His many years of service in the Victoria police brought joy to the people who worked with him – the hole left in our lives is deep and painful.”

Gavin John FREW

Leading Senior Constable Frew was known for his dedication to the job and sense of humour, but also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ms Frew described him as her “sad clown” and wanted to make him the face of the disorder within Victoria Police. His death comes as Police Remembrance Day will be commemorated on September 29.

Superintendent Paul O’Halloran said messages of sympathy for the loss of Leading Senior Constable Frew had come from the Border region and from Horsham.

“He was always quite vocal around the building … it’s had a really significant impact,” he said.

“We’re shocked and saddened. Gavin was a well-liked and very well-respected member of the Wangaratta Highway Patrol and he’s also really well known across the force.”

Horsham-based friend Michael Ryan said Leading Senior Constable Frew was loved by all.

“He was a gorgeous young man. It was very hard to not like him, even as a copper. He was just good to people,” he said.

“There was nothing about him that was evil or mean.”

Mr Ryan knew Mr Frew through their mutual involvement with Horsham Saints Football Netball Club.

“Gavin came from a fantastic family – really good community-minded people,” he said.

“He was really good policeman. It takes a bit of skill and nous to be good at the job and still be at peace with your community, but he was both. We could do with a lot more people like him.”

A service for Leading Senior Constable Frew will be held in Wangaratta next week.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

Date of birth: 26 March, 1969
Date of passing: 23 September, 2017
FREW – Gavin John
(Late of Mt Bruno and formerly of Horsham)
Tragically taken too soon on Saturday September 23, 2017 aged 48 years.
Soulmate and best friend to Rebecca, Brendan, Jemma and Kaycee.
Beloved son of Neil and Maree and son-in-law to Gary and Diane.
Adored brother and brother-in-law of Jodie, Nicole, Fiona-Louise, Rodney and their families.

You left a space no-one can fill.
You were loved beyond life.

Funeral Details

Funeral Prayers for Leading Senior Constable Gavin Frew 27893 will be offered in Our Lady’s Catholic Church, corner of Murdoch Road and White Street, Wangaratta on Thursday October 5, 2017 commencing at 10.30am.
A Private Cremation will follow this Service.
POLICE HONOURS
In lieu of flowers, a donation made to the Starlight Foundation for Rosie Carroll would be greatly appreciated. Donation envelopes will be available at the Church.


 

The final salute of respect for much-loved Wangaratta police officer Gavin Frew

 

The emotional, and at times funny, funeral for Leading Senior Constable Gavin Frew was a fitting tribute to the well-loved Wangaratta police officer.

His colleagues lined White Street after the service on Thursday in a guard of honour, saluting his casket and family members as a final mark of respect.

Leading Senior Constable Frew’s death came as a shock to those around him, and wife Bec Frew thanked the hundreds of people at the funeral for their support to keep her strong.

“If everybody just took on that little bit of love and happiness, and shared it with everyone around them, what a wonderful world it would be,” she said

“You were my other half, my soulmate, my anchor in so many storms … You made our world a better place, you will be forever in our hearts.”

He was remembered as a proud father, larrikin big brother, devoted friend and although he was constantly making those around him laugh on and off the job, he was the ultimate professional as a police officer.

Daughter Kaycee Frew said the day was a chance to “celebrate the life of a very loved idiot”.

Kaycee Frew September 24, 2017 · It hurts my soul to inform you all that my best mate Gavin has left us too soon. I will miss you forever. Thanks for helping to make me the amazing person I am today. Miss you so much already Dad. Rest easy my Gangster. ❤️
Kaycee Frew September 24, 2017 · It hurts my soul to inform you all that my best mate Gavin has left us too soon. I will miss you forever. Thanks for helping to make me the amazing person I am today. Miss you so much already Dad. Rest easy my Gangster. ❤️

“My dad had the amazing ability to make people laugh in any circumstance, especially under serious ones. His cheeky smile and quirky personality is what we’ll all miss the most,” she said.

Leading Senior Constable Frew graduated the police academy in 1989, passing the final fitness test despite a broken collarbone he suffered while trying to do a stand-up somersault after winning a football final.

He served in Broadmeadows, Ararat and Horsham, before moving to Wangaratta in 2012.

Most of the speakers at the funeral recounted Leading Senior Constable Frew’s favourite piece of trivia he would constantly ask family, friends, colleagues and even people he pulled over on the road: when was the Battle of Hastings?

Wangaratta Highway Patrol Sergeant Michael Connors confirmed the legend that the officer was always looking for a motorist who knew the right answer, 1066. “If they got that correct, there was a chance of them getting a warning,” he said.

Leading Senior Constable Frew’s call sign “Wangaratta 610” has been retired as a mark of respect.

Thursday’s service was also attended by Acting Chief Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Acting Assistant Commissioner Clive Rust.

Donations to the Starlight Children’s Foundation were being collected by the family in lieu of flowers.

Police ‘macho culture’ needs to change

Leading Senior Constable Gavin Frew was a man of extraordinary light and good humour, but he was also one of many police officers who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

His family now want to raise awareness of the condition.

Long-time friend Anthony Hoffmann told Thursday’s service about the many good times he had with Leading Senior Constable Frew, but said things had to change when it came to dealing with PTSD.

“Over the years we’d always get together and trade some war stories – some funny, some not so funny – but we’d never talk about how these moments affected us, I guess mainly because silently we did not want to appear weak,” he said.

This is wrong and we need to change this attitude.

“If there’s one thing we can and should take away from this tragedy, it’s that we need to change this macho culture and to learn to talk and to ask for help when we need it, otherwise we’ll needlessly lose more sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – enough is enough.

“I implore you to take this message away today: life is precious and our time here short, so we owe it to our loved ones to be the best we can, but we can’t do that alone so it’s time to man up and be honest with those around you.

“Don’t wait to be asked, just please ask for help if you need it.”

Mr Hoffmann said his friend was a very courageous man, looking out for team mates on the football field and in other parts of life.

“He never took a backwards step, even when the odds were stacked against him,” he said.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

 

Horsham Saints Cricket Club<br /> Like This Page · September 26, 2017 ·<br /> Vale Gavin Frew.<br /> This morning I learnt of the untimely passing of Gavin Frew who by his own words couldn't bat and couldn't bowl.<br /> Gavin played just the 20 matches for the club for 68 runs (HS 26) but he did return for our premiership reunions earlier this year as a member of the C Grade 1988/89 premiership team. Gavin was a Vicpol member here in Horsham before heading up to Wangaratta.<br /> On behalf of the Horsham Saints (formally St. Michael's) Cricket Club we pass on our condolences to his family. - Trent King, Secretary<br /> Remember is ok to not be ok.<br /> It's always okay to ask for help.<br /> If you notice mates acting strange it doesn't hurt to ask if they are okay.<br /> — with Mike Toone.<br />
Horsham Saints Cricket Club
Like This Page · September 26, 2017 ·
Vale Gavin Frew.
This morning I learnt of the untimely passing of Gavin Frew who by his own words couldn’t bat and couldn’t bowl.
Gavin played just the 20 matches for the club for 68 runs (HS 26) but he did return for our premiership reunions earlier this year as a member of the C Grade 1988/89 premiership team. Gavin was a Vicpol member here in Horsham before heading up to Wangaratta.
On behalf of the Horsham Saints (formally St. Michael’s) Cricket Club we pass on our condolences to his family. – Trent King, Secretary
Remember is ok to not be ok.
It’s always okay to ask for help.
If you notice mates acting strange it doesn’t hurt to ask if they are okay.
— with Mike Toone.

 

3 thoughts on “Gavin John FREW

  • Johannes Mooyman

    Sad to hear one of my high school mates has left us in such sad circumstances. Was a great laid back character. Played footy with Gavin as a junior, attended St Brigid’s College with him as well. Remember all those lunchtimes playing billiards at his house, Blue light discos, pub crawls, completing HSC and the usual teenage mucking about, riding our bikes up the grampians to camp out, etc. I remember those days fondly each time I visit Horsham, lots of memories good and bad growing up there during the 70’s and 80’s. Battle of Hastings 1066, I remember it well! RIP mate.

    Reply
  • I just watched Highway Patrol on TV in England and was so sad to see the dedication at the end of the programme. I was impressed by what a good cop & person he obviously was, and extremely saddened to hear about the PTSD & death. I sincerely hope that the Police force looks at/has looked at its culture with a view to necessary changes.

    Reply
  • Trisha, scotland

    I just wish to extend my condolences to anyone especially this officer Gavin, PTSD is an ugly silent killer and illness. It is so underrated it’s astounding. RIP

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *