Courts & Police
26 January, 2026
Honour for police officer who responded to Buxton tragedy
One of the police officers who was first on the scene of the tragic Buxton road accident in 2022 in which five teenagers lost their lives has been honoured with an Australian Police Medal (APM).
One of the police officers who was first on the scene of the tragic Buxton road accident in 2022 in which five teenagers lost their lives has been honoured with an Australian Police Medal (APM).
Inspector Gregory Donaldson is one of nine NSW police offers to be awarded the honour in recognition of their exceptional service and commitment to the community.
APM recipients are announced twice a year – in January (Australia Day) and June (King’s Birthday).
Inspector Donaldson joined the NSW Police Force in July 1989 and was stationed at Ermington, Parramatta and Northwest Region Dog Squads, before he moved to State Protection Group as a dog handler.
In 1999, he began a career in highway patrol that has spanned over 25 years. He was promoted to a sergeant at Mount Druitt Highway Patrol in 2002. During this time, Inspector Donaldson provided outstanding work towards a child restraint initiative to provide child car seats to struggling parents.
In 2021, he was promoted to an inspector with the Macarthur Sector Highway Patrol, where he continues to make a significant contribution to the community.
In September 2022, he responded to the Buxton accident in which five teenagers were killed.
In the aftermath, Inspector Donaldson, in collaboration with his trainers, developed road safety education programs that were delivered to the victims’ friends and their schools.
He also sought an appropriate stakeholder, ASPIRE Traffic Education, to support a pilot Young Traffic Offenders Diversion Program aimed at building safer driving habits.
He continues to work tirelessly with road safety officers, Rotary NSW and Campbelltown Hospital to implement road safety programs in all high schools in Macarthur and to improve the safety of all young people.
Inspector Donaldson has overseen operations to identify and act against drivers of cars who engage in dangerous driving in defective motor vehicles, resulting in over 1,000 fraud charges laid against mechanics.
He developed the operation to detect drink driving offenders on NSW motorways, utilising up to 200 police to perform random breath tests on off-ramps.
Inspector Donaldson has continuously demonstrated distinguished service in a demanding work role and has influenced major changes with his initiatives, including within Revenue NSW.
His contribution to the community, road safety and NSW Police Force has been outstanding.
Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon have congratulated all nine officers on the achievement and thanked them for their contribution to the NSW Police Force.
“These officers have shown remarkable dedication in keeping our communities safe. Their efforts reflect the high standards of NSW Police,” Acting Minister Scully said.
“Time and again, they demonstrate courage and care in serving the people of NSW. I thank them for their commitment and congratulate them.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the APM “reflects the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and leadership within our organisation”.
“Officers awarded an APM have demonstrated remarkable dedication over many years in various operational, proactive and corporate sides of policing, and I thank them for their ongoing contribution to NSW Police Force.
“An APM is a testament to the officer’s character, their service to the people of New South Wales, and their commitment to public safety.”
The eight other recipients were Detective Superintendent Darren Beeche, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, Chief Inspector J, Detective Inspector Rachel Fawcett, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Kehoe, Chief Inspector Rodney Pratt, Chief Inspector Scott Russell and Superintendent Christoper Schilt.
Read More: Wollondilly, Southern Highlands, Buxton