Victoria Star for ex-officer

By Callan Date
NARRE Warren resident Damian Hartley has truly bounced back from his horrific day in the line of fire.
The former police officer suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot in the chest while on duty in Moe in 1982.
Although he has put the events of the traumatic day behind him, the 44-year-old was honoured to receive an award last week from the organisation he served for nearly 10 years.
Mr Hartley was presented with The Victoria Police Star – an award introduced last year for Victoria Police employees killed or seriously injured as a result of their association with the force.
The day that changed Mr Hartley’s life began as any other for the then 20-year-old who was stationed at Moe.
The fresh-faced constable attended a domestic dispute call-out with three other policemen.
It was a routine call that quickly turned into anything but.
“He had a high-powered rifle and was a few houses up when we arrived. He basically just picked us off and we didn’t know anything about it,” Mr Hartley said.
The bullet hit Constable Ricky Ross first before striking Mr Hartley in the chest and lodging under his armpit.
Or as Mr Hartley puts it – “I just took a bullet.”
Both men suffered life-threatening injuries and required long periods of hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
However, Mr Hartley suffers no long-term problems as a result of being shot.
The father-of-two left the police force in 1989 and moved into the insurance industry before spending the last few years working as an executive recruitment consultant in Melbourne.
Away from work he is busy spending time with his family and keeping fit in the gym.
“I’m very involved with the Narre Warren North Tennis Club with my son’s junior team,” he said.
And as for the award almost 25 years after that fateful day.
“I’m very honoured actually. It was nice to receive the recognition,” Mr Hartley said.