Qld: Pledges of support roll in for family of slain policeman

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Qld: Pledges of support roll in for family of slain policeman

BRISBANE, Aug 25 AAP - A trust fund set up for the family of a slain police officerhas been inundated with offers of support, the police union said today.

Denis Fitzpatrick, acting president of the Queensland Police Union, said pledges ofsupport had been rolling in for the fund, set up after Senior Sergeant Perry James Irwinwas gunned down north of Brisbane on Friday.

"My phone has not stopped ringing," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

A funeral would be held in the Redcliffe area on Thursday, he said.

Senior Sergeant Irwin's family was battling to come to terms with his death.

"Members of the union have been in close proximity to them since Friday and, from theinformation I have received, it's a real struggle," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Police were aware they could face a similar fate to their slain colleague, he said.

"It's something that confronts us every day. It could happen to any one of us at any time."

Senior Sergeant Irwin died when he and two other officers were called to investigategun shots in bushland near Caboolture on Friday.

He was ambushed by 21-year-old Damien Coates, who later shot himself.

Anyone wanting to donate to the Perry Irwin Trust Fund can do so at any Westpac Branch,quoting BSB number 704052.

AAP rad/ak/jlw r

KEYWORD: CABOOLTURE UNION