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or signup to continue reading In a nearly 40-year career, Senior Sergeant James Egan helped change the way that police interact with First Nations communities, including the stolen generations. For nine years, he was based at the one-person station at Raywood, north of . The "quiet achiever" - a much-loved husband and father - used his experiences to help shape and change cultural training for police.
He has been awarded the Australian Police Medal . The late Senior Sergeant Egan, a proud Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Bangerang man, was the longest-serving Aboriginal employee of Victoria Police. He was an "exemplary" police officer for more than 38 years and a firearms instructor for more than 20 years.
He drew on his own experiences and insights into First Nations communities to develop and deliver the Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training project, which provided cultural training for Victoria Police. He outlined many personal experiences and uncomfortable truths to provide training participants a meaningful and authentic experience. "In November, we faced the profound loss of our beloved husband and dad, who dedicated an incredible 39 years of his life to serving with Victoria Police," his family said in a statement provided by Victoria Police.
"As we reflect on his remarkable career, we are immensely proud of all he accomplished and the positive impact he had on so many lives. "Receiving this award in his honour is both overwhelming and bittersweet. Although he is no longer with us, we know that he would have approached this recognition with the humility that defined his character.
"Dad was a quiet achiever, and we can only imagine the pride he would have felt, knowing he made a difference in the lives of others. "This award holds significant meaning for our family. It symbolizes the wonderful legacy he has left behind and serves as a reminder of the values he instilled in us.
We hope others will look to his example and find inspiration in his dedication to service. "As we continue our own journeys, we aspire to carry forward dad's legacy in our own lives. We are committed to doing him proud.
" Senior Sergeant Egan spent considerable time with the Victoria Police chief commissioner in preparation for his appearance at the Yoorrook Justice Commission. "He was open and honest and provided great insight into the stolen generations and the impacts and trauma caused to Aboriginal people, providing insight into why there is still so much distrust of police from the Aboriginal community," his citation read. As a council member of the Aboriginal Employee Network Council, Senior Sergeant Egan advocated to address the unique issues facing employees in a policing organisation and provided strong mentorship to other Aboriginal employees.
He "forged a remarkable career in Victoria Police, marked by his commitment to enhancing competency to all Victoria Police employees". He died in November 2024, aged 56. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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