Westfield Bondi Junction massacre: Inspector Amy Scott’s Heartbreaking admission after hero cop chased down and shot dead knifeman who stabbed six people to death
The heroic police officer who shot dead the Westfield Bondi Junction knifeman after he killed six people and injured others admitted the attack was “extremely traumatic” as she spoke candidly about the incident.
NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, 39, made a surprise appearance at the first NRL Emergency Services match to honour first responders on Sunday, between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium.
Inspector Scott pursued and shot dead Joel Cauchi after he went on a killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, killing six innocent people and injuring 12 others.
“The incident was obviously extremely traumatic for so many people, so it’s hard to relive it,” the heroic police officer said Nine news after her performance at the NRL match.
“When people are so kind and acknowledge us in the way that they do, it really helps the healing process, I would say.”
The tragedy shocked the entire community of Bondi, where the Roosters club is headquartered.
Inspector Scott said she was honoured to attend the NRL match despite being a Newcastle Knights fan.
“They (the Sydney Roosters) are from the Eastern Suburbs and that’s our command. So it’s obviously close to our hearts,” she said.
Heroic police officer Amy Scott made a dramatic entrance on the first day of emergency rounds – arriving by helicopter. With her was Jack Lucas, who lost his police officer father last year. Together they delivered the ‘missing’ ball for match day (pictured)
Detective Inspector Amy Scott hands over the football to Roosters captain James Tedesco
The heroic policewoman was part of a pre-match skit that saw emergency services and specialist police units join forces to search for a ‘missing ball’.
A video was shown showing the football being recovered by water police and other emergency services.
A helicopter landed in the middle of the field, where Inspector Scott stepped out to deliver the match ball, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Roosters failed to secure a top two spot, losing 14-12 after missing a try after the match-deciding whistle.
Inspector Scott rushed to the fifth floor of the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on April 13 after being alerted to a man on a stabbing rampage.
Detective Inspector Amy Scott (pictured) was proud to be part of the first NRL clash dedicated to emergency workers
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 a job that I hoped the community would expect us to do. I know all of my colleagues would have done exactly the same thing. I’m grateful that we were able to get there so quickly and do what we did.
‘Look, I’m a big believer in taking the support that’s offered to you. I’ve done that before anything that happened at Bondi.’
She also announced that she was back at work and expressed her gratitude to Emma, her husband of six months, for her support over the past few months.
“I’m glad to be back at work. I just had a little vacation, that was nice,” said Detective Scott.
“I love my job, I love where I work, and I love my team. I’m grateful to be back with them doing day-to-day things. It’s (a thankless job) sometimes, absolutely.
The policewoman said the Bondi stabbing was “extremely traumatic for so many people” and it was “difficult to relive” (pictured Joel Cauchi with the knife he used to stab and kill six people and wound 12 on April 13).
The inspector’s courage was recognised at the Goulburn Police Academy in late June with the Commissioners Valour Award, but the unassuming 19-year veteran didn’t want to make it about herself.
She told a graduating class of 169 new police officers that she was just one example of “ordinary people called to do something extraordinary.”
“It’s a healing process and that’s true for everyone involved,” said Detective Inspector Scott.
‘What really matters are the victims, their families and friends, who will forever have to deal with an incomprehensible tragedy.
Cauchi’s victims included 38-year-old mother of one Ash Good, her bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, 27-year-old international student Yixuan Cheng and 30-year-old security guard Faraz Tahir.