Sunrise beach memorial for Justine Ruszczyk
SILENT and solemn, they stood on the cold sand of Freshwater Beach at dawn on Sunday in heartfelt tribute to Justine Ruszczyk, who was shot dead by a police officer in the US 12 months ago.
Manly
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SILENT and solemn, they stood on the cold sand of Freshwater Beach at dawn on Sunday in heartfelt tribute to a woman well loved.
About 150 family, friends and people unknown to Justine Ruszczyk gathered for the 6.58am sunrise to mark the first anniversary of her death.
Justine, a popular and well liked member of the Freshwater community, was shot dead by police officer Mohamed Noor in Fulton, Minneapolis, on July 15 last year.
The vivacious 40-year-old, engaged to be married to Don Damond, called police after suspecting a sexual assault outside her home. About 11.30pm local time and in her pyjamas, she approached the police car containing Noor and his police partner. Seconds later Noor shot her dead.
MORE: One year on from shocking death
Justine’s father John put out the call to attend Sunday’s silent vigil to celebrate her life.
John, the proprietor of Dymock’s bookshop in Warringah Mall, and his partner Maryan Heffernan, led the gathering on the cold sand in the 6 degree chill at the water’s edge, outside the front of the Freshwater surf club.
Candles were placed in the sand, burning in the shape of a heart. The group stood silently within a large circle of small lanterns placed on the sand.
A didgeridoo player gave the early light a haunting but reflective ambience.
Some of those gathered shed tears, some stood looking out to sea — thinking of the senseless loss of the young woman.
Few words were spoken among the group. Little needed to be said.They all remembered the former veterinarian who had been a volunteer rehabilitating chimpanzees in Uganda and moved to the United States to work as a life coach.
As the sun rose, there were hugs and tears as people laid their pink flowers — roses, carnations and lilies — at the edge of the candles in the heart shape.
Before Sunday’s ceremony, her father John told the Manly Daily: “I know how much she meant to people outside the family and how many friends she had but also was continually surprised by the people who came up to me and said, ‘you know Justine helped me a lot’.”
Mr Ruszczyk wanted to hold the vigil at Freshwater because that was where the family and friends gathered a year ago after hearing the shocking news of Justine’s death.
Today nobody noticed the chilling wind or the early hour. It was their way of paying their respects to a person they respected who was killed in such extraordinary circumstances.
Mohamed Noor, no longer a serving policeman, is yet to face trial on charges of third degree murder and second degree manslaughter.
Mr Ruszczyk is watching the progress of the case from the other side of the world, constantly informed by his legal team in the US.
“There are three participants in this terrible tragedy: my daughter, who is dead; the shooter who is refusing to talk; and his partner,” Mr Ruszczyk said.
A similar vigil was held at the same time in Minneapolis.