A gesture of kindness and appreciation from the Australian Federal Police to one of their retired own has helped a former officer to heal from the loss inflicted upon him by bushfires earlier this year.
Yesterday, Australian Federal Police Superintendent Mick Travers and Inspector Dean Elliott travelled to Cobargo in NSW to visit retired AFP member Senior Constable David Rugendyke.
Mr Rugendyke’s house was destroyed in the devastating bushfires earlier this year and he lost all his service medals along with all other personal effects.
His new house is currently under construction and it is anticipated it will be completed by Christmas.
Supt Travers presented Mr Rugendyke with a replacement National Medal, AFP Service Medal and Certificate of Service and then joined him for lunch and a tour of his new house.
Mr Rugendyke has dedicated his life to helping others, serving as a police officer with the AFP and ACT Policing for 18 years, and a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for 4 years.
He is currently a Volunteer Firefighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service and along with his wife Barb, has provided foster care to over 400 children over the past 35 years.
