State mourns cop killed in drug raid

Bill Crews made the ultimate sacrifice when he was gunned down during a routine drug
raid.
The 26-year-old trainee detective died in a Sydney hospital a short time after
midnight - the 12th cop in four decades in NSW to be shot and killed in the line of
duty.
"We have lost a brother, we've lost a son, we've lost a good mate, but most
important we've lost a colleague," said his mate and Police Association president
Scott Weber.
Visibly shaken and obviously distressed, Mr Weber said police across NSW were mourning.
"It is so upsetting when we see one of our colleagues make the ultimate sacrifice in
protecting us all."
The 26-year-old was one of eight officers from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime
Squad carrying out a routine drug operation at an apartment block at Bankstown in
Sydney's southwest.
They were fired upon outside the targeted property on Cairds Avenue about 9pm (AEST)
on Wednesday, with Const Crews hit in the head and neck.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione on Thursday paid tribute to his team, who
had tried desperately to save him.
"(They) showed extraordinary bravery and composure under duress to render first aid
... while at the same time arresting several people and securing the crime scene and
putting a perimeter in place," he said.
The neighbourhood was in lockdown during the three-hour siege that followed, with
negotiators called in as officers wearing bulletproof vests patrolled the streets
and told residents and onlookers to stay indoors.
They were supported by the air wing, dog unit and rescue unit.
Eight people were eventually taken into police custody, and two men were charged,
although no drugs were found at the property.
The men were refused bail in Bankstown Local Court after one of them, Philip Nguyen,
received treatment for a swollen left eye, a grazed nose and a swollen cheek bone.
The 55-year-old is facing six charges including shooting with intent to murder and
discharge of a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Geehad Ghazi, 27, has been charged with possession of an unauthorised firearm.
Meanwhile, NSW parliament paused to honour the slain officer, with Premier Kristina
Keneally paying tribute to the young man who gave his life while serving the
community.
She recognised the suffering of his father Kelvin, who retired from the police force
in 2000, his brother Ben, an officer in Sydney, his two sisters, Rebecca and Kate,
and mother Sharon.
"They've lost him in the most unimaginable way, and we today as a state stand behind
them in support," Ms Keneally said.
The officer's death has prompted renewed calls for the introduction of mandatory
life sentences for offenders who murder police officers.
"Police go out each day, they tackle risks each day that are inherent in their job,
and we owe them, we owe their families, the knowledge that the police officer if
they are killed on duty, if they're murdered, there should be mandatory life
sentences applied to the criminals who do it," Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell
said.
The last officer killed on duty was Constable Glenn McEnally, shot dead at
Hillsdale, in Sydney's southeast, in April 2002.