The star Online
Monday, November 20, 2006
November 20, 2006 Edition 1
Shaun Smillie
It was a time of emotional farewells for the West Rand police as they remembered their fallen at their annual SA Police Service Prestige Banquet in Little Falls, Roodepoort.
Police officer Leoni van Heerden, the widow of Frikkie, who was one of the police officers who died in June during the Jeppestown massacre, was honoured on Friday night when she received the Johan Slabbert Memorial Trophy for bravery.
The Jeppestown massacre was a black day for West Rand police. Three of the police officers who were gunned down during the incident were from the area.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Milica Bezuidenhout said: "This year Leoni was given the award because she was also in the firing line and was injured. She has since returned to duty, although she has not recovered from her ordeal."
The banquet was organised by the West Rand Police Foundation, among others.
Also honoured during the banquet was the man who lent his name to the trophy, Johan Slabbert, and his partner, Inspector Bennie Kganyago. The two men were awarded the police service's highest award for bravery - the South African Police Cross for Bravery.
In an emotional ceremony, Slabbert's widow Maryke received his medal on his behalf.
Slabbert was shot dead at a Pick 'n Pay outlet at Princess Crossing shopping centre in Honeydew in April last year.
Slabbert and Kganyago were responding to an armed robbery when Slabbert was killed. Kganyago was injured while fighting off six suspects.
The event also marked the farewell for the area commissioner for the SAPS West Rand, Rex Machabi. Also, police officers who had done well during the year were awarded with certificates.