Honorary Sergeant Sammy Scully back with SAPOL for third adventure-packed shift at Echunga Training Reserve

SA Police’s youngest honorary recruit, terminally ill Sammy Scully, literally had a blast at SA Police’s training facility in his third adventure-filled shift.

South Australia’s newest honorary cop in town, Sergeant Sammy Scully, 8 has returned to an explosive day on the job, having a blast at SA Police’s Echunga Training Reserve (ETR).

The terminally ill schoolboy, who became SA Police’s youngest recruit, had his third adventure day today, months after he was first sworn in by Commissioner Grant Stevens.

The Angle Vale Primary School student was tragically diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in January last year.

Breakfast radio station Mix 102.3 heard about Sammy’s story and quickly joined forces with SA Police to make his dream of becoming a police officer come true.

After expressing his desire to blow “stuff” up, Sammy joined members of the Bomb Response Unit (BRU) for a shift at the ETR, along with family, friends and police officers.

Sergeant Sammy has a blast with bomb squad. Picture: SA Police

Sergeant Sammy has a blast with bomb squad. Picture: SA Police

From a 100 metre distance wearing protective equipment, Sgt Sammy made that dream come true as he slammed down on the switch to create a Hollywood-style controlled explosion.

He also experimented with the X-ray equipment before briefly wearing the BRU officers’ 38kg suit, including the helmet.

His shift began with a robotics induction, then had the chance to operate a spectacular 450kg robot powered by three batteries – valued at half a million dollars – and the smaller 2.5kg robots.

“I like the little robots because the big robot is too complicated,” Sgt Sammy said.

At the end of Sammy’s shift, Mr Stevens thanked those who helped bring together the special day.

Sergeant Sammy has a blast with bomb squad. Picture: SA Police

“Today the bomb squad have taken Sammy through the induction course, showed him the protective gear [and] he got to push the button on a massive explosion,” Mr Stevens said.

“I think days like this show the side of the police family that not a lot of people get to see”.

“There’s not one single person that’s been involved in any of the things we’ve done for Sammy who hasn’t been 100 per cent committed to making it an amazing experience.”

On May 14, the team put on a two-hour star-studded event, including a helicopter ride to Adelaide Oval, meeting police dogs, and hunting down three high-profile ‘crooks’ in Rundle Mall.

Impressed by his high spirits and dedication, Mr Stevens recalled Sgt Scully for a second adventure filled shift with SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit.

“He’s visited the horses, police boats, the dog squad. He’s arrested some criminals,” Mr Stevens said.

“He’s been in the helicopter, and today with the bomb squad, every single person involved has tried to make it a special day for him.”

“And I think that says a lot about who police are and how they approach life.”

Originally published as Honorary Sergeant Sammy Scully back with SAPOL for third adventure-packed shift at Echunga Training Reserve