In Service of Their Country
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In service of their country On Wednesday 7 March 2007, response capacity to the region following Garuda Airline flight GA200 crashed the plane crash. on landing in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team Federal Agent Mark Scott and was sent to Yogyakarta to assist with the Commander Brice Steele were among investigation of the disaster and an Air the 21 passengers who died as a result Safety Bureau of Investigation expert of the crash. accompanied the team to assist with he two federal agents were travelling investigations. as part of an advance team ahead of the On Saturday 10 March, DVI experts visit of Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander presented evidence to the Indonesian Downer. hree other Australians including a Identification Board and the Board diplomat, a journalist and an AusAid official subsequently positively identified Federal Agents Brice Steele and Mark Scott and all also lost their lives in this tragedy. Hartigan – Brian of the Australian victims. he following pages are dedicated to the respects. he ceremony was attended by families of Mark and Brice as well as their In a media statement, Commissioner a host of dignitaries including Governor- colleagues, especially in Indonesia and Keelty said while the loss of these two General Michael Jeffery, Deputy Prime agents was deeply felt by all members of in the words of Commissioner Keelty ‘to Minister Mark Vaile, Foreign Affairs Minister the AFP, he hoped that the confirmation celebrate the lives and careers of two great Alexander Downer, Senator Ellison, the could help begin the healing process for members of the AFP’. new Minister for Justice and Customs, the organisation and the families of the David Johnston and Commissioner Mick AFP investigational support response two agents. Keelty. Deputy Commissioner John Lawler “Today’s identification will bring some Federal Agent Scott’s casket was adorned accompanied Minister Downer to closure to the families of the deceased with an Australian flag, an AFP flag and a the accident site and the AFP offered officers – particularly Brice’s wife, Kellie, police sergeant’s cap, while Federal Agent assistance to the Indonesian National and Mark’s wife, Sally, and their children Steele’s casket had both flags and a police Police (INP) with investigations into the – who have been living through the commander’s cap. Two AFP Bearer Parties disaster. uncertainty of the tragedy this week,” in full ceremonial dress worked in tandem Commissioner Keelty said. At the invitation of the Indonesian to carry the five caskets to the hearses to the beat of an AFP drummer. Government the AFP provided a rapid Bringing them home On a still Canberra autumn morning the Amazing Grace was played by AFP Piper Royal Australian Airforce Hercules touched Constable Stephen Ladd, while families down bringing home the bodies of the gathered around the caskets and reflected five Australians who perished in the airline on loved ones. tragedy. he repatriation followed a similarly On Wednesday 14 March, the AFP hosted dignified ceremony at the departure of the a dignified repatriation ceremony at the caskets from Indonesia officiated by AFP Fairbairn Air Base, providing families Chaplains Sheikh Khalil Chami and Roger and friends an opportunity to pay their O’Donnell. Platypus Magazine | Edition 94, April 2007 3 An officer, gentleman and beloved husband Commander Brice Steele On Monday 19 March 2007, more was my inspiration and he was my than 1300 people including family inspiration for getting up here today”. members, friends, colleagues and Frank Steele spoke of his son’s close dignitaries attended the funeral of AFP relationship with the family and read Commander Brice Steele at St John’s written tributes from Brice’s mother, brother Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane. and sisters. he funeral was held with full Police Federal Agents Frank Prendergast and Honours in recognition of Federal Agent Andrew Stark also spoke highly of their Steele’s significant contribution to the AFP and tributes flowed during the service friend’s dedication to his job and being well conducted by Chaplain David Cockram. turned out. In a light-hearted recollection, Federal Agent Michael Phelan spoke of Commissioner Keelty delivered a Brice’s impeccable dress sense and how Valedictory to the congregation there was always a ready supply of shoe detailing Federal Agent’s Steele’s polish kept in Brice’s office. distinguished career and highlighted his key achievements including his role in At the conclusion of the service, the AFP combating international drug trafficking executive formed a guard of honour as and people smuggling. the casket left the church for a private Commissioner Keelty awarded Federal cremation. Outside the church in a fitting Agent Steele with the National Medal farewell a handsome black German for his long and dedicated service to the shepherd named Finn sat quietly as his community and presented the medal and master passed by. a police commander’s cap to Brice’s wife, A memorial service was also held at the Kellie Steele. National Police Memorial providing an Kellie delivered a heartfelt speech about opportunity for Canberra-based staff to pay her loving husband and said that “Brice tribute to Federal Agent Steele. – Photos by Ashley Roach Ashley by – Photos 4 Platypus Magazine | Edition 94, April 2007 A committed father and peacekeeper Federal Agent Mark Scott Federal Agent Mark Scott was Mark’s brother, Gerald reminisced over farewelled on Tuesday 20 March Scott’s younger days and how proud the 2007 by more than 800 people who family was when he found his calling and gathered in Canberra at St Andrew’s joined the AFP. He was a “proud copper”, Presbyterian Church, Forrest. he loved going to work every day and it was a privilege to him to be a part of the In a poignant moment as the AFP Bearer organisation. Party carried Federal Agent Scott in to the church, his son James followed at the rear Federal agents John Tanti, Sergeant Peter resting his hand on the casket. Davis and David Savage spoke of Mark’s passion of immersing himself personally Federal Agent Scott’s family and friends and professionally into tasks with precision were accompanied at the service by and planning. Mark would always give policing colleagues from New Zealand, a 100 per cent effort and was proud of Indonesia and Jakarta, the AFP executive, his policing achievements, particularly in and a number of dignitaries including Cyprus. Prime Minister John Howard, Attorney- General Philip Ruddock, Minister for Justice David Savage said that while Mark and Customs David Johnston, Leader was dedicated to his job, this paled in of the Opposition Kevin Rudd, and the comparison for the dedication and love Indonesian Ambassador Hamzah hayeb. he gave to his family. Sergeant Davis of rank and a police sergeant’s cap in highlighted the closeness of Mark’s Commissioner Keelty spoke of Federal remembrance of Mark’s service to the relationship with his wife Sally, saying Agent Scott’s accomplished 20-year career AFP. Sally Scott and her children James, you’d be hard pressed to find a photo of which ranged from working in ACT Policing Stephanie and young Emily joined Mark without Sally by his side as they did to international peacekeeping and counter- Commissioner Keelty and mourners in everything together. terrorism. His significant contributions were farewelling Federal Agent Scott as the AFP particularly noted in Myanmar and the Towards the end of the service, Executive formed a guard of honour and investigations after the October 2005 Bali Commissioner Keelty presented Sally the AFP Pipes and Drums led the casket bombings. and the children, with framed badges from the church. – Photos by Beck Browne Beck by – Photos Platypus Magazine | Edition 94, April 2007 5 Valedictory Brice Steele Delivered by AFP Commissioner, Mick Keelty “It is with great sadness that I join you With a keen thirst for knowledge, Brice was today to farewell our colleague and committed to further education and self close friend, Australian Federal Police development. During 2003 and 2004, Commander Brice Steele. he completed the Certificate of Leadership Studies and the Senior Executive Program Brice was an exceptional young man and in National and International Security at an outstanding police officer who, in his Harvard University in the United States of seventeen years at the AFP, made his mark America. in many different ways. On 24 March 2002, Brice was selected Brice joined the AFP on the second of as the senior liaison officer for the AFP’s July 1990 as a 19-year-old recruit. At the post in Beijing, China – another significant time he was proficient in Mandarin and offshore post for the AFP in strengthening Cantonese and was completing a Bachelor its relationships with offshore partners. of Modern Asian Studies. In Beijing, Brice was responsible for forging As one of Brice’s fellow recruits observed, closer ties with the Chinese Police, known he was the youngest participant on his as the Ministry of Public Security. He also training course but also the ‘brightest’ oversaw law enforcement liaison with the which earned him the nickname of police in Mongolia and North Korea. ‘Golden Child’ in recognition of his destiny for higher achievements. he AFP was the first western law enforcement agency to have a presence Brice started work in the Melbourne office in Beijing and Brice was only the second of the AFP and was appointed a detective AFP Liaison Officer to be appointed to that on 11 August, 1994. His career path led position. him to work across the AFP’s national and international operations including Brice’s grasp of the language and culture an attachment to the Operation Avian of China was an enormous benefit to team which was focused on large scale the AFP in establishing the strongest of transnational organised crime involved in relationships.