Four Numbulwar Community Night Patrol members and a member of the public have been presented with Certificates of Bravery.
The certificates recognise their acts of courage during a violent incident in the community early last year, Northern Territory Police say.
Assistant Commissioner Narelle Beer and Commander Michael Hebb presented the certificates to Night Patrol members Cyrus Ngalmi, Grant Nundhirribala and Preston Wurrumurra yesterday. Esmond Numamurdirdi accepted certificates on behalf of his sister, Karina Numamurdirdi, and also on behalf of his mother, Night Patrol member Elaine Mamarika, who could not be present due to family commitments.
Around 9:00pm on Thursday, 9 February Ms Numamurdirdi witnessed a violent incident between a woman and an armed man. Fearing for the victim’s safety, she left the safety of her home and ran to her assistance, despite being told the offender had a weapon. Karina exposed herself to danger by placing herself between the man and the woman and pushed the offender back multiple times.
"Karina was brave in dangerous circumstances," Senior Constable Kyle Slater said.
"She was alone at the time of intervention and placed herself in extreme danger of being physically assaulted, slashed, stabbed or killed.
"She has ignored her own physical safety in a courageous attempt to save the victim from a violent attack" Senior Constable Slater said.
The Night Patrol members were flagged down as the offender was dragging the woman into bushland and they immediately searched the area to find the pair.
After the Night Patrol members found the man assaulting the victim, they approached him, telling him to stop, and helped the woman to the safety of the Night Patrol van. The offender fled the area on foot and the members conveyed the victim to the health clinic.
Following concerns that the offender would try and assault the woman at the clinic, two members remained at the clinic to provide protection, while two others patrolled the community.
The offender, who caused serious injuries to the victim, was eventually arrested by police and sentenced in court.
Senior Constable Slater nominated the five people for the Certificates.
"I have no doubt that had they not taken immediate action and put themselves in harm’s way to save the victim, police would now be investigating a murder," he said.
"The actions of the Night Patrol members were above and beyond their normal duties. They were unarmed and not trained to deal with a violent offender in these circumstances.
"The actions of the four night patrol members ensured she received medical attention for serious injuries and potentially saved the victim’s life."
