Slain paramedic Steven Tougher’s family heartbreak

The family of a paramedic who was allegedly stabbed to death in his ambulance has broken down while talking about their “hero”.

The family and wife of a slain paramedic have broken down in tears while speaking out about the “hero” who was allegedly stabbed to death while on the job.

Steven Tougher was sitting in his ambulance doing paperwork while taking a meal break in the carpark of a McDonald’s in Campbelltown on April 14.

There were emotional scenes as his family visited the site where Mr Tougher died to lay their own flowers in the mountain of tributes placed by mourners.

Over 20 members of his family as well as paramedics joined together to honour him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. NCA NewsWire Photos- APRIL, 19TH 2023. The family of NSW Ambulance Paramedic Steven Tougher will visit the floral tribute at McDonald’s restaurant in Campbelltown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

His wife Madison broke down in tears. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

His mother also was overcome by emotion during the press conference and the pair clung to each other for support. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

Mr Tougher was only recently married and expecting his second child with wife Madison when he was fatally stabbed outside a McDonalds in Sydney's southwest. Supplied

His wife Madison and mother Jillian broke down during a press conference where the family addressed the death and spoke about their “hero”.

Mr Tougher was newly married when he was killed, with his wife due to give birth to the pair’s second child in just a few weeks.

The pair burst into tears after his father Jeff Tougher began to lose composure while thanking those who put themselves in danger to help his son.

“His compassion was unbounded and his commitment to the cause or for all things, nursing, ambulance and paramedics was rock solid,” Mr Tougher said.

The Tougher family gathered to mourn their loss Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone

Jeff Tougher was also moved to tears after speaking at a press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone

The family attended the floral tribute laid out for Steven. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

The grieving father also acknowledged how his son’s death has caused a surge of heartbreak in the community.

“We felt the loss in our own way and it‘s okay to personalise your experience whether you knew Steven or not, the the loss is still the same,” he said.

“The community’s lost a real member who fought for us, and that’s a loss for everybody.”

The paramedic’s family has been in discussion with the NSW government to bring in “Steven’s Law” to increase the penalty for those who attack paramedics and other frontline workers while on the job.

“I hope that the loss of Steven will not be for nothing, and that is senseless act. can be a catalyst for change, to support better working conditions for his brothers and sisters in blue,” he said.

An outpouring of grief has come from NSW residents over the killing Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

Dozens of people have flocked to the McDonalds where Mr Tougher was killed to lay flowers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

Senior NSW Ambulance workers were also moved to tears. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone,

“Nobody deserves the grief that this event has brought forward.

“We need to change the laws to protect those who put themselves out to make the community a better place.”

In 2022, the Perrottet government introduced stronger laws to increase the maximum penalty for those convicted of assaulting a frontline worker – such as a paramedic, doctor or firefighter – to 14 years in prison.

The legislation was brought in after a disturbing rise in attacks on emergency workers during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

The Minns government is believed to be working through what reforms are needed to bolster protections for paramedics according to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.

“We will certainly be looking at all the raft of those measures. Sentencing, fines, penalties as well as equipment. That will come in the days and weeks ahead,” Mr Park said on the Today Show on Monday morning.

“My priority at the moment is to make sure that family is supported, his colleagues are supported, his colleagues are supported and the broader ambulance family.”

Originally published as Slain paramedic Steven Tougher’s family heartbreak