Respected ex-Victoria Police officer Ron Fenton dies

Respected former Victoria Police officer Ron Fenton, who was almost killed in a 1984 line-of-duty shooting attack, has died.

Respect police officer Ron Fenton had sadly passed away. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

Respected former Victoria Police officer Ron Fenton, who was almost killed in a 1984 line-of-duty shooting attack, has died.

Mr Fenton was in 2007 awarded the Victoria Police Star, which recognises the actions of members killed or seriously injured at work.

He continued to serve the force for many years after being wounded, despite having 37 bullet fragments in his head.

Mr Fenton also worked to increase awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder among police.

After retiring, he fought successfully to win funding for a trauma dog named Yogi to be his companion.

Mr Fenton has publicly credited the trained PTSD assistance dog with saving his life.

He had battled cancer in recent years.

Ron with his assistance dog Yogi. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Fenton and colleague Paul Gilbert were sitting in a police car at Beaumaris in 1984 when teenage murderer Kai Korhonen fired 27 shots into the vehicle.

The condition of the 28-year-old was so grave plans were being made for his funeral.

“The last thing I thought when I was at the hospital, before I became unconscious, was, ‘That’s it, Ronny’,” he later recalled.

Mr Fenton spent the next 11 years working to rehabilitate his body, learning again how to read and speak and developing the ability to write left-handed.

He went on to serve as an academy law instructor, at the D24 police communications centre and at Werribee station.

Mr Fenton said he was happy but a little embarrassed at receiving the Victoria Police Star.

“I’m old school,” he said. “Our job is to put ourselves in harm’s way. It doesn’t require any accolades,” he said after the 2007 presentation.