The heroic female police officer who single-handedly confronted and shot dead a knifeman who killed six people in a shopping centre had already been decorated for her exemplary service, MailOnline can reveal.
New South Wales (NSW) Police Inspector Amy Scott has been hailed a hero and praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney‘s east on Saturday afternoon.
As the first officer on scene, Inspector Scott sprinted through the top level of the shopping complex and risked her life when she confronted the knifeman who also injured eight others.
She shot the attacker – who was wearing a green rugby top – dead when he turned towards her and raised his knife.
The senior police officer then performed CPR on the killer and the other victims lying on the ground as she waited for back-up to arrive.
Insp Amy Scott (second from the left) was recognised for her courage while stationed as a sergeant in 2019
She has been hailed a hero and praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east on Saturday afternoon
As the first officer on scene, Inspector Scott sprinted through the top level of the shopping complex and risked her life when she confronted the knifeman who also injured eight others
But this is not the first time Inspector Scott has been decorated for her policing efforts.
In 2019, she was recognised at the Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year award ceremony and received the prize for Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty.
Pictures show her smiling alongside other police officers as she holds up her award.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has said that Inspector Scott is ‘doing well under the circumstances’.
She will be formally interviewed as part of the investigation into the deadly stabbings.
It was revealed earlier today that the 40-year-old knifeman that Inspector Scott shot dead was ‘known to police’.
Among the victims was 38-year-old new mother Ash Good who was attacked alongside her nine-month-old baby Harriet.
The infant – who suffered stab wounds- is fighting for her life after being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.
Inspector Scott sprinted through Westfield Bondi Junction to single-handedly confront the knifeman
She confronted the knifeman alone on the top level of the shopping centre and shot him dead
Ash Good, 38, was among the six shoppers at Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield who were killed today, when a man, 40, dressed in a rugby league jersey, went on a stabbing rampage about 3.20pm before a female police officer shot him dead
A first-time mother stabbed to death in the Sydney shopping centre knife rampage has been pictured for the first time. Just hours before the horror unfolded, Ms Good posted a photo to Instagram with her daughter Harriet in her arms
Just hours before the horror unfolded, Ms Good posted a photo to Instagram with her daughter in her arms.
‘Only because I was walking past and happened to be wearing the same thing 9 months out vs 9 months in etc etc,’ the caption read.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the flood of commendations for Inspector Scott’s actions.
Rishi Sunak has said his ‘heart goes out’ to those affected by the ‘truly devastating’ attack in Sydney that killed six people.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said: ‘The horrific attacks at Bondi Junction are truly devastating.
‘My heart goes out to those affected by this abhorrent act of violence, and I pray for the recovery of those left injured and traumatised today.
‘You are in the thoughts and prayers of the British people.’
She has also been hailed as a national hero online with one person posting on X: ‘She was utterly fearless, brave and amazing. How many lives did she save today? Brave’.
Another added: ‘Absolute legend. Just happened to be in the vicinity and the first on scene. Didn’t even hesitate.’
A third wrote: ‘She did what she had to do in that situation. No f******g around or pandering to a murderer. We need more police like that.’
A fourth touted her as a possible Australian of the Year contender while other called for her to receive a bravery award.
Some also pointed out she was wearing little protection.
The attacker was seen running in the mall with a knife in his hand – moments before he was shot dead by a patrolling police officer
The knifeman who killed five women and one man during a rampage in Sydney today was ‘known to police’
The attacker was in the mall at 3pm but left and returned at 3.20pm with a knife. He attacked the mother and child at 3.30pm before police arrived at 3.45pm and the mall was placed under lockdown at 4pm
‘No vest, no protective gear, no backup? No problems,’ one wrote.
Others showed concern for the officer’s wellbeing.
‘While throwing words like ‘hero’ around, remember, the taking of a life will change hers as well. Heroes can be victims too, let’s hope she gets every bit of support needed,’ one commented.
Commissioner Webb revealed that she has spoken to Inspector Scott following the tragedy.
‘She showed enormous courage and bravery, and she will obviously process that,’ Commissioner Webb said.
‘She will need to be interviewed formally and so we just talked about that she’s OK and that her family’s OK.
‘She’s got everything she needs for the time being, and she will be formally interviewed tomorrow.’
Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke earlier said that the police officer engaged immediately on her arrival to the scene.
‘The officer was guided to the location of the offender by people who are in the centre, and she took the actions that she did, saving a range of people’s lives,’ he said.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos also commended Inspector Scott’s courage while paying tribute to the ‘everyday heroes’ involved, including a bystander who confronted the knifeman on the escalators.
‘She (the police officer) was there on her own and she went towards the danger,’ she told Sky News UK.
‘Even [after she shot the attacker], she immediately began applying CPR – that just shows you the dedication of the person and her incredible act of heroism – even then her main concern was for someone who had fallen.
‘I will be reaching out to the various service providers and to the police to see what practical support we can offer as a council.’
Mr Albanese held a snap press conference in Canberra to address the tragedy on Saturday night, where he also praised Inspector Scott.
‘She entered the proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself,’ he said.
‘She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions.
‘Today is a reminder that those people who wear a uniform are people who rushed to danger, not away from it.’
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has launched a critical incident into the her brave actions.
‘The NSWPF are investigating the circumstances of the incident and this investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command,’ a statement read.
Westfield Bondi Junction is expected to remain closed for several days.
