Inspector Amy Scott, the police officer hailed as a national hero for stopping the deadly Bondi Junction Shopping Centre attack, is now confronting a formidable personal battle. New South Wales Police have revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
A Hero Confronts a New Challenge
In April 2024, Inspector Amy Scott's decisive actions saved countless lives when she confronted and fatally shot knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi at Westfield Bondi Junction. Cauchi had killed six people and injured several others during his rampage before Scott, the first officer on the scene, stopped him less than 90 seconds after entering the mall.
On Monday, NSW Police shared "some tough news" about the inspector's health. The force emphasised that while she is widely known as the hero of Bondi Junction, she is also a loving wife, a mother to two young boys, and a dedicated officer known for her selfless and compassionate nature.
Community Rallies in Support
A fundraiser established by Scott's colleagues to aid her medical treatment describes her as "every bit the remarkable human you would think" and a "fiercely independent" person who is always the first to champion others. The fundraiser page states, "Amy now needs the strength, compassion, and support of her community."
The campaign has already exceeded its initial $25,000 goal, demonstrating a powerful public outpouring of support. Messages of encouragement have flooded the NSW Police Facebook page, with one supporter noting, "Amy has touched the lives of so many in NSW and Australia." A retired British police officer added, "all your police family throughout the world support you now as they did on that day at Bondi Junction."
The Day That Defined a Hero
Scott's bravery during the Bondi attack was a moment of profound courage under pressure. Giving evidence at the NSW Coroners Court in May last year, she recounted how bystanders' pleas—"he's killing people, you've got to help us"—made her realise she could not wait for backup. She resigned herself to the fact that "I was probably going to die" as she ran in to confront Cauchi.
As Cauchi ran at her with a knife, Scott fired her weapon. Two shots felled the attacker, with a third reportedly striking a pot plant behind him. Her actions brought the horrific incident to a swift end.
Her colleagues have noted in the fundraiser that while Scott is being well supported by family, friends, and police, "she has a long uphill battle ahead to beat this insidious disease." The situation serves as a poignant reminder, as the fundraiser states, "that even our strongest people are human."
