Slain Tamworth environmental officer and former Telegraph Point resident Glen Turner has been posthumously awarded a commendation for brave conduct.
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Governor David Hurley presented Mr Turner's partner Alison McKenzie the award on September 5 during an investiture ceremony at Government House.
Mr Turner's work colleague Robert Strange also received a bravery medal for his actions before and after Mr Turner was shot several times by Ian Turnbull on a property at Croppa Creek on July 29, 2014..
Mr Turner's sister Fran Pearce and their parents Jack and Coral Turner attended the award presentation with Ms McKenzie.
Mrs Pearce said the family was honoured to watch Alison receive the bravery commendation on Glen's behalf.
"We were also there to support Rob Strange receiving his bravery medal," she said.
"It was a very emotional and bittersweet time but we are very pleased that Glen and Rob were acknowledged for their bravery and their sacrifice whilst protecting our environment and upholding the law."
Mr Strange and Mr Turner were conducting business in the Croppa Creek area when they were approached by Turnbull who was armed, the citation for the awards said.
Standing about 10 metres away, Turnbull raised a rifle and shot Mr Turner in the neck. As he regained his footing, he was shot again.
As Mr Turner stumbled towards their vehicle, Mr Strange pleaded with the gunman to stop shooting and allow him to seek help.
Turnbull continued to threaten both men.
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Despite oncoming darkness and the approach of the gunman, the wounded Mr Turner, who was now at the rear of the vehicle, managed to locate and discharge an emergency position indicating radio beacon.
The citation for the bravery award said that Turnbull pointed the rifle directly at Mr Strange and threatened to shoot him.
The gunman then located and moved towards Mr Turner. Despite Mr Strange’s unrelenting pleas to stop, he pointed his weapon at Mr Turner, firing twice.
As Mr Turner attempted to run towards the tree line, the gunman discharged his weapon again, causing Mr Turner to fall to the ground.
The gunman fled the scene in his vehicle.
Mr Strange immediately went to Mr Turner and attempted CPR.
Tragically, in spite of Mr Strange’s efforts, Mr Turner could not be revived.
By his actions, Mr Strange displayed considerable bravery, the citation read.
Turnbull died in 2017 while serving a 35-year sentence for killing Mr Turner and detaining Mr Strange.
