Decorated police officer in Yuendumu shooting of Aboriginal man

One of the officers involved in the shooting death of an Aboriginal man was previously branded a hero for saving tourists.

NT Police Officer Zachary Rolfe. Picture: Supplied

One of the officers involved in the police shooting death of an Aboriginal man in an outback community is a decorated constable previously branded a hero for saving two tourists from drowning.

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Zachary Rolfe is the son of prominent Canberra business identity Richard Rolfe, a luxury car dealer, and his wife Debbie Rolfe, a personal injury lawyer.

Constable Rolfe joined the police force in 2016 after what is understood to have been a celebrated army career.

The general manager of Mr Rolfe’s Audi dealership, Nicholas Watman, said the family had been advised not to discuss the incident. “He’s not talking to anybody,” Mr Watman said.

“Let the police do their job; let the inquiry happen … he will leave speaking to anybody until he feels better.”

Protesters gather at Parliament House over the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

An NT Police spokesman said the agency was supporting the constable’s family but declined to discuss any details.

Constable Rolfe is believed to have left the Northern Territory after receiving threats.

Social media posts named him soon after the incident. The Australian initially withheld Constable Rolfe’s identity. Other media have since publicly named him.

Soon after graduating as a probationary constable in 2016, Rolfe rescued two tourists from Hong Kong who had been swept into floodwaters near Alice Springs.

His efforts earned him the National Bravery Medal, the Royal Humane Society’s Clark Medal for bravery and the Hong Kong government’s Bronze Medal for Bravery. It was the first time Hong Kong authorities had given that award to a foreigner for an act performed outside Hong Kong.

Protests have been held in Yuendumu, Alice Springs and Darwin. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Police say two officers in the room when 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot at a residence in Yuendumu on Saturday.

They say Kumanjayi Walker lunged at the officers and that one of them received a shoulder wound from an “edged weapon” before discharging his firearm. Witnesses have disputed that account.

The snap decision to shoot Kumanjayi Walker is now the subject of investigations involving the NT Police, the NT Coroner, the NT Ombudsman, the NT Independent Commission Against Corruption and a police professional standards body.

There have been demonstrations in Yuendumu, Alice Springs and Darwin, with further rallies planned for the coming days.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue said his organisation was “providing all necessary support to our members involved in the critical incident at Yuendumu”.

“Representatives from the NTPA, including myself, are speaking directly with the officers to make sure they’re being provided appropriate assistance and advice from the department as well as, importantly, making sure their wellbeing is ok,” Mr McCue said.

“I’ve spoken with the officer who was injured during the incident – he’s ok – and we will maintain contact with him, his family, and the other officers, throughout the investigation process.”

He said the officers affected were receiving legal advice.

Earlier on Wednesday, the NTPA lashed out at NT Chief Minister for suggesting “consequences will flow” as a result of investigations into the Yuendumu incident.