As a 19-year-old living in Redfern in 1967, Rodney happened to be walking past the Mounted Unit along Bourke Street when he was struck by the aroma of horses.
Having grown up around horses he walked into the Unit for a closer look.
Despite having no interest in policing, shortly thereafter Rodney decided to join the NSWPF – and he never looked back.
Shortly after joining, Rodney transferred to the Mounted Unit. Later he would work around the Sydney metropolitan area and regional NSW in both general duties and as a detective.
Whilst still a serving police officer Rodney volunteered for National Service in the early 1970’s spending two years in the army. Twelve months of which he served in Vietnam.
In 1988 Rodney and two colleagues responded to reports of a man armed with a rifle walking the streets of Morisset.
On challenging the man, he opened fire on the police vehicle and the officers themselves.
The incident ended with Rodney’s two colleagues and the offender being shot. All three would later make a full recovery. The offender was sentenced to 14 years jail.
For his actions Rodney was awarded the Commissioner’s Valour Award.
Holding the rank of senior sergeant at Gundagai Police Station, Rodney was medically discharged from the NSWPF in 1990.
“I loved every bit of my time in the police and I didn’t want to go,” says Rodney. “But I was pretty crook with a respiratory problem which I have long since recovered from ironically enough.”
Because of his work with Australian Defence Force veterans and their families he was presented with the Order of Australia Medal in 2014.
Although long since retired Rodney is still associated with the Mounted Unit and often wears period police uniform at ceremonial functions.
Thank you for your service Rodney.