‘I still remember’: Son of NSW police sergeant killed in the line of duty shares dad’s legacy

Warren Proops was just 10 years old when his police officer father, Sergeant John Proops, left for his afternoon shift and never returned. Now, he’s sharing his story publicly.

Elaine and Warren Proops with their son, George. Warren's dad Sergeant John Proops was killed in the line of duty in 1993. Picture: Supplied

Shire dad Warren Proops was just 10 years old when his police officer father, Sergeant John Proops, left for his afternoon shift on May 22, 1993 and never returned.

“We didn’t know until the next day, when the police came to the door … I still remember them standing outside,” Mr Proops recalled.

“We were looking through the glass at mum’s house – it’s frosted glass but there’s little bits you can see through where it’s clear.”

Then came the devastating news – Sergeant Proops had been killed in the line of duty, punched in the chest while attempting to arrest a domestic violence offender who had breached DV orders, triggering a fatal heart attack.

His death at age 42 was made all the more tragic by his miracle survival nearly 20 years earlier after being shot with a speargun on another domestic violence call-out.

Sergeant John Proops with his baby son Warren, circa 1980s. Picture: Supplied

The spear struck a notebook he carried in his left pocket, sparing the life of the young constable, who quickly disarmed the offender, earning him the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

“As a kid you see your dad coming home in his police uniform and you have that sense of pride … to me, he was like seven foot tall and nothing could hurt him,” Mr Proops said.

Sergeant John Proops (right) receives a medal of bravery after wrestling a speargun from an offender who had shot him in the chest. Picture: Supplied

The sergeant’s legacy lives on in the strong sense of morality, justice and respect for others Mr Proops instils in his own nine-year-old son George, who is approaching his 10th birthday – the same age Warren was when he lost his dad.

“It really puts it in perspective,” he said.

“(Police officers) don’t know what’s on the other side of that door – it could be a gun, could be a knife – they’ve got no idea what they’re about to face.

“A lot of people these days say some quite negative stuff about the police … but they’re putting their lives on the line for people they don’t even know.”

The sales manager is speaking out publicly for the first time about his dad’s death and the support he, his mum Mandy and his brothers Karl and Erik received from NSW Police Legacy in the aftermath, which included covering educational costs like school fees and textbooks.

The organisation steps in to provide financial and emotional support for the children of serving and retired police officers who have passed away, regardless of the circumstances.

Warren Proops, pictured with his wife Elaine and son George, has paid tribute to his brave dad. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Proops still attends the NSW Police Legacy camps for bereaved kids, who are known as Police Legatees, giving back in his capacity as a speaker and mentor for young people facing a heartache he knows all too well.

Sergeant John Proops with his baby son Warren, circa 1980s. Picture: Supplied

Elaine and Warren Proops with their son, George. Warren's dad Sergeant John Proops was killed in the line of duty in 1993. Picture: Supplied

“Even if it helps one kid, two kids, whatever it is, it’s something I can do to help,” he said.

“(Police Legacy) have done a lot for me, and helped shape the person I am … the support they provide you just can’t measure.”

Originally published as ‘I still remember’: Son of NSW police sergeant killed in the line of duty shares dad’s legacy