The heroic police officer who shot dead the Westfield Bondi Junction knifeman after he killed six people and injured others has admitted the attack was “extremely traumatic” as she spoke about the incident.
New South Wales Police Inspector Amy Scott, 39, made a surprise appearance at the inaugural NRL emergency services match in honour of first responders when the Sydney Roosters took on the Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Inspector Scott hunted down and shot dead Joel Cauchi after he went on a murderous rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction, killing six innocent people and injuring 12 others on April 13.
“The incident was obviously extremely traumatic for many people, so it’s difficult to relive it,” the hero police officer said. Nine news after his appearance in the NRL clash.
“When people are so kind and acknowledge us like they have, it’s really helped the healing process, I would say.”
The tragedy has shaken the entire community of Bondi, where the Roosters club is based.
Inspector Scott said she was honoured to attend the NRL clash despite being a Newcastle Knights fan.
“They’re (the Sydney Roosters) from the eastern suburbs and that’s our home. So obviously it’s something very close to our heart,” he said.
Police heroine Amy Scott made a dramatic entrance on the opening day of the emergency round, arriving by helicopter. With her was Jack Lucas, who lost his police officer father last year. Together they delivered the “lost” game day ball (pictured)
Inspector Amy Scott hands the ball to Roosters captain James Tedesco
The police heroine was part of a pre-match scene, where emergency services and specialist police units joined forces to search for a “missing ball”.
A video was shown of the moment when the ball was recovered by water police and other emergency services teams.
A helicopter landed in the centre of the pitch where Inspector Scott disembarked to present the match ball, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Roosters were unable to consolidate a top-two spot, going down 14-12 after missing a try conversion after the siren that would have sent the match to golden point.
Detective Inspector Scott rushed to the fifth level of Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on April 13 after being alerted to a man carrying out stabbing attacks.
Inspector Amy Scott (pictured) was proud to be part of the NRL’s inaugural clash dedicated to emergency services first responders.
She confronted Cauchi and fatally shot him in the chest when he refused to drop the knife.
“I was just doing my job that day, absolutely,” Inspector Scott said.
“It was work I was hoping the community would do. I know any of my colleagues would have done exactly the same thing. I’m grateful we were able to get there and do what we did so quickly.”
“Look, I’m a firm believer in taking advantage of the support that’s offered to us. I did that long before what happened in Bondi.”
He also revealed he had returned to work as he paid tribute to his wife of six months, Emma, for her support over the past few months.
“I’m enjoying being back at work. I’ve actually just taken some annual leave which was nice,” Inspector Scott said.
‘I love my job, I love where I work and I love my team. I’m grateful to be there with them doing the day-to-day stuff again. It is (a thankless task) at times, absolutely.
Police said the Bondi knife attack had been “extremely traumatic for many people” and was “difficult to relive” (pictured: Joel Cauchi with the knife he used to stab six people to death and injure 12 on April 13).
The inspector’s bravery was recognised with the Commissioners’ Bravery Award at the Goulburn Police Academy in late June, but the unassuming 19-year veteran did not want the issue to be about her.
Speaking to a graduating class of 169 new police officers, she said she was just one example of “ordinary people called to do something extraordinary.”
“It’s a healing process and it will be for everyone involved,” Inspector Scott said.
‘What is really important are those victims, their families and friends, who will forever have to deal with an unfathomable tragedy.
Cauchi’s victims included Ash Good, a 38-year-old mother, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, international student Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.
