Officers from Illawarra’s Child Abuse Unit have rolled up their sleeves in support of a colleague injured in the line of duty.
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Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Parker said several officers from the unit had donated blood as part of the ‘Bleed 4 Blue’ campaign.
The NSW Police Force blood drive will run through February to enable the policing community, as well as community members, to give back following the stabbing of Detective Sergeant John Breda.
Sergeant Breda needed more than 44 bags of blood to save his life, after he was stabbed in the chest and stomach while trying to arrest a suspected child sex offender at Maroubra on Australia Day. The 45-year-old has now started rehab.
“It affected us greatly what happened to Sergeant Breda – he’s one of our colleagues, part of the state’s child abuse squad,” Chief Inspector Parker said.
“The blood he was given saved his life so this is an opportunity for us to do our part, and give back, by donating blood to save the lives of others.
“Many of our squad members have already donated and I’d encourage others to help out too.”
The Illawarra police will join officers across Australia, with the challenge on to see which state or territory can donate the most blood during February. Details at www.donateblood.com.au/bleed-4-blue
