Bondi stabbing: Friends of stabbing victim Dawn Singleton’s fiance show support for grieving officer
Colleagues of the police officer who lost his fiancee in the horrific Bondi stabbing attack say they hope he stays in the force as they rally around the “tough kid”.
NSW Police officer Ashley Wildey was on call when Joel Cauchi started attacking people at Westfield Bondi Junction last Saturday, killing six people before he was shot dead by police.
One of the victims was Mr Wildey’s fiancee Dawn Singleton, the 25-year-old daughter of multi-millionaire advertising executive John Singleton, with the pair due to marry later this year.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Knowing his fiancee was at the centre shopping for her wedding make-up, Mr Wildey frantically tried to call her as he rushed to the Westfield.
When he arrived at the scene, his police colleagues were the ones to deliver the heartbreaking news that the woman he was due to marry had been killed by Cauchi.
Grappling with the tragedy a week on, a friend of Mr Wildey’s told The Daily Telegraph the entire force was rallying around the young officer.
“The police should be commended. His police mates have been very, very good — the boys brought around hamburgers, chips and Coke and have stayed with him, talking and making sure he knows he is supported,” they said.
The friends said Mr Wildley was invaluable to the force.
“They don’t want to lose him. He is very good at his job. It’s too early to say now, but I think he’ll probably stay in the job. He has always wanted to help people,” they said.
“He is a tough kid.”
Mr Wildley and Ms Singleton were in the midst of planning their wedding, having just sent out save-the-date cards.
A candlelight vigil will be held at Bondi Beach Sunday night to remember the victims of the stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction last weekend.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the event would be an opportunity for those attending to support one another during what had been a terrible week for the city.
“I think if we can stand together during these difficult periods, we can send a message that there’s far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and than there is evil,” he said.
The shopping centre reopened on Saturday — one week after Australia’s worst mass killing in years.
