Daily London
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert was one of two police officers left in a critical condition after he was shot while confronting two gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah festival on Sunday evening.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said he visited Hibbert and his family this morning.
“I’m really pleased to say that Jack was awake this morning, we had a lovely conversation, he’s a really positive young man,” Lanyon said.
“Tragically we know that he’s going to lose the sight in one eye as a result of his injuries on the weekend.
“Jack is incredibly comforted by the knowledge that as his commissioner I have given him an undertaking that we will support him.
“We will find appropriate duties for him, depending on the nature of that injury and his capacity.
“His family wanted to say thank you to the many members of the community who have provided messages of support to them and the overwhelming support of the blue family.”
Lanyon confirmed Hibbert’s colleague, Constable Scott Dyson, underwent further surgery this morning.
“He remains in a critical and stable condition,” Lanyon said.
”Our thoughts and all of our prayers are with him and his family.
“For both officers, it will be a long road to recovery.
The policing family has wrapped around both officers and will ensure that we are there for the long run.”
Hibbert’s family issued a statement through NSW Police earlier today.
Statement from the Hibbert family:
On the 14th of December, Jack Hibbert was shot while fulfilling his role as a police officer at Bondi Beach.
While serving and protecting the community, Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was on duty, patrolling the Hanukkah celebration interacting with the community at Bondi Beach, when the incident first occurred.
Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries. Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required.
Jack is just 22 years old and has only been in the police force for four months. Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to.
Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.
Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited in hospital and given testaments to Jack’s bravery during the incident, describing his devotion to his community. They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured.
The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful.
We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.
We ask all to respect our privacy as we move through these next stages to support Jack and all his needs to a full recovery.
