THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

PERRY Edward Graham

Detective Inspector, New Zealand Police

CITATION

George Medal

Gazetted 23rd September 1969

As Officer in Charge of the Police Armed Offenders Squad at Auckland, Detective Inspector Edward Graham Perry was called to Whangarei to take charge of a dangerous incident involving an armed person who was ensconced in a house .with a young baby as a hostage. He had refused to come out unless the Police were prepared to accept his terms. On several occasions he held the infant at a window of the house and made threats that he would shoot it and then himself. He had a record of previous firearm offences and was known to be very dangerous. All measures taken to persuade him to give himself up failed. He would not respond to persuasion and grave fears were held for the safely of the infant. At great personal risk 'Detective Inspector Perry broke into the house and after a struggle was able to disarm 'the man and arrest him. Beyond question he would' have used the firearm which he had in his possession but was prevented from doing so by the Detective Inspector. The offender had fired a considerable number of shots from the house at the police during the course of the siege.  The courageous and fearless action of Detective Inspector Perry in arresting an armed and dangerous offender in all probability saved the life of a small child and was in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.

KNOWN AWARDS

George Medal

NOTES

Born

Died