Benjamin George: Lockyer Valley, Ipswich community mourns beloved police officer

Ipswich and Lockyer Valley communities, and police officers from across the state, have united to farewell Senior Constable Ben George from Laidley Station — a much-loved cop, husband and father.

Hundreds of police officers united this week to farewell a colleague, husband, father, and valued community member from the Ipswich area who tragically passed away on January 13.

Senior Constable Benjamin George from Laidley Station died suddenly, aged 37 years. The circumstances of his death have not been made public.

He is survived by his wife Lorelee George, who is also a police officer, and his two young daughters.

“He was a very loving and devoted husband and father to his two daughters who were the light of his life and loved being a police officer who had the utmost respect for his colleagues at Laidley Station,” Ms George said.

“He was the best.”

A sea of blue flooded Centenary Memorial Gardens on January 24 at a moving ceremony that paid tribute to the beloved “larrikin” and proud husband and father.

Snr Const George’s sister Trudy George said he was a devoted husband, father, and police officer.

“He was such a genuine guy who would help anyone when they needed it,” she said.

“His memory will live on forever in our hearts.”

Laidley Station officer-in-charge Snr Sgt Regan Draheim served with Snr Const George for four years and remembers him as being incredibly driven and passionate.

“He was very dedicated and diligent,” Snr Sgt Draheim said.

“He had an amazing memory for detail and was able to use that to assist others as well as solve crime and identify offending persons and vehicles.”

Snr Sgt Draheim said Snr Const George had dreamt of being a police officer since leaving school, eventually achieving that goal seven years ago after working as a transporter for the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Police from all over Queensland, including the State Commissioner and a Deputy Commissioner, farewelled Snr Const. George on Monday. Picture: Facebook / Ian Leavers

Snr Const George grew up in the Ipswich area and attended St Edmund’s College, where he excelled in sport and other subjects.

Upon graduating, he worked in a number of fields before realising a career aspiration of his and commencing as a recruit at the Queensland Police Academy.

He was permanently stationed at Laidley for all his years of service, but took on relieving positions at both Ipswich and Toowoomba roads policing units.

After seven years of service, Snr Const George was posthumously awarded the Queensland Police Service Medal. It was presented on Monday to his wife and family by the State Commissioner.

Snr Const. George passed away aged 37.

Snr Sgt Draheim said the award was for diligent and ethical service, which Snr Const George exhibited each and every day throughout his career.

“He will be sorely missed,” he said.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the medal was a “fitting tribute”.

“He was very well respected by his colleagues at Laidley Station and was also well respected in the community,” he said.

“Ben left his mark on colleagues, the community he served, but more importantly as a loving husband and father.”

Snr Const. George is being remembered as a “larrikin” and proud husband and father. Picture: Facebook / Ian Leavers

Former officer-in-charge at Laidley and current Lockyer MP Jim McDonald shared Mr Leaver’s sentiments, calling Snr Const George’s passing an “absolute tragedy”.

“As officer-in-charge at Laidley when he commenced his first year training, I got to know Ben,” Mr McDonald said.

“He was an excellent learner and became an extremely competent officer who others regularly sought advice from.

“Ben really understood the concept of ownership of the police division and tried to understand the problems and solutions in our community.”

Charity Queensland Police Legacy is now raising funds to assist Snr Const George’s family. To donate, contact [phone] or [phone].