Frank Gilroy: Hornsby Police Detective Chief Inspector retires
Hornsby Police Detective Chief Inspector Frank Gilroy has been given a fitting send off after being forced to retire due to injury.
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A ceremony has been held in honour of “Hornsby icon”, Detective Chief Inspector Frank Gilroy, as his 40 years of service came to an end on Thursday.
The Chief Insp. said injuries had forced him to “hang up my cap”, giving him the chance to catch up on years of missed Christmas and birthday celebrations with his family.
“I’m honoured and humbled by this send off. What I’ll miss the most is the camaraderie of troops I’ve had the honour to serve with and the fact that we’re part of the community. You don’t find that everywhere but you certainly do in Ku-ring-gai,” Chief Insp. Gilroy said.
During his impressive career Chief Insp. Gilroy has collected awards in recognition of his inspiring work including a National Police Service Medal in 2014 and a 2nd Clasp to National Medal in 2017.
He’s also managed to take down criminal masterminds across Sydney.
“After a few years working in Bondi I qualified as a Detective and spent a few years on the drug squad and homicide squad,” he said.
“The work has been very interesting, I’ve cleared up seven murders. We got a chap
for abducting and raping women, he’d hold them for days. He’d grab women from a carpark in Bondi Junction and while he had them he forced them to empty their bank accounts.
“When I caught him a number of other women had come forward. He did it to 12 woman and he was convicted.”
He added: “Although the victims have been horribly violated, at least we were able to provide some closure for them and their families. It’s about being that someone who did something for them.
He told the Advocate he joined the police so he could protect the community’s most vulnerable.
“All of those cases in their own way were special. Before I joined the NSW Police Force, I heard things on the news like elderly people being abused and thought – someone has to do something to help these people and maybe that person should be me.”
He said some of his career highlights include being part of police operations during the Sydney Olympics and being the leading commander at the Sydney Opera House for APEC Australia 2007 where he worked alongside the US President’s Secret Service.
Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock and Hornsby MP Matt Kean thanked the Chief Insp. for his hard work over the years and wished him a happy retirement.
“We do have a very good relationship with the police and we’ve had very sound leadership locally,” Cr Ruddock said.
Mr Kean said: “Detective Chief Inspector Frank Gilroy has served our community with distinction for 40 years.
“He represents the very best of the public service and our community is safer and stronger because of the sacrifices that Frank has made.”
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