A police officer renowned for halting a violent stabbing incident at Westfield Bondi Junction now faces a challenging personal battle, having been diagnosed with an uncommon and aggressive type of breast cancer.
Last year, NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott responded swiftly to reports of a man on a stabbing rampage on the fifth floor of a Sydney shopping mall.
In a tense confrontation, she engaged with Joel Cauchi, ultimately using her firearm to neutralize the threat when he refused to surrender his weapon.
To support Inspector Scott and her family through her health battle, NSW Police Legacy has organized a fundraising campaign.
“Our cherished friend and colleague, Inspector Amy Scott, has recently been diagnosed with this rare and aggressive cancer,” the campaign statement revealed.
“Beyond her tireless commitment to public safety, Amy is a devoted wife and the loving mother of two young sons, with her family standing by her side as they navigate this difficult path together.”
‘She is every bit the remarkable human you would think. She is fiercely independent and the first to champion others.’
‘Whilst she is being well supported by her family, friends and colleagues, Amy has a long uphill battle ahead to beat this insidious disease.
Bondi Junction hero Amy Scott has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer
Scott confronted Bondi Junction killer Joel Cauchi and fatally shot him in the chest when he refused to drop the knife
‘Amy now needs the strength, compassion, and support of her community. This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human, and this fundraiser has been created to ease the financial burden for Amy and her family during this incredibly challenging time.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was devastated by the news.
‘I spoke to Amy a couple of weeks ago. I mean, she’s a genuine, bonafide Australian hero, someone that we have got we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction of a couple of years ago, but also she’s been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the terrorism event on the 14th of December.
‘She’s so important for New South Wales Police and our community. If anyone deserves a break, it’s Amy, and we just wish her the very best. She’s an absolute champion.’
Following her act of heroism, Insp Scott said that she was just one example of ‘ordinary people called to do an extraordinary thing’.
‘It was quite a traumatic day for everybody involved,’ Insp Scott told a graduating class of police officers.
‘I wasn’t the only person there and that’s why I have stayed quiet and probably will continue to stay quiet because there are really important people that responded that day that have been impacted,’ Inspector Scott said.
Insp Scott said she she was lucky to have the love and support of a wife, family and friends as well as NSW Police Force community to get her through the tough memories of the day and get her ‘back on the tools’.
Following her act of heroism, Insp Scott said that she was just one example of ‘ordinary people called to do an extraordinary thing’.
‘Really importantly are those victims, their families and friends, who will be forever dealing with an unfathomable tragedy,’ said Inspector Scott.
On the day of the stabbings Insp Scott was performing routine checks near the shopping centre.
After bystanders directed her to the scene, the officer approached the 40-year-old Queensland man on level five of the complex as shoppers fled and others lay injured.
When Cauchi refused to put his knife down, Insp Scott fired one shot to his chest, sending him to the ground.
She then walked over and gave him CPR until paramedics arrived but Cauchi was unable to be revived.
Those killed included five women – Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Pikria Darchia, 55, Jade Young, 47, and Yixuan Cheng, 27 along with security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.
The nine-month-old daughter that Ms Good died protecting was also hurt in the attack.
