Two AFP officers last night (3 September, 2025) received National Bravery Awards for running into the fray amidst the chaos following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake which hit Vanuatu in December, 2024.
AFP Sergeant Aaron Cox and Inspector Peter Murphy, both working in Vanuatu as part of the Vanuatu - Australia Police Partnership, were in the Port Vila Central Business District when the quake struck.
In the immediate aftermath, telecommunications networks were compromised and electricity and water supply lines were cut off. Buildings had collapsed, debris lined the streets and the likelihood of casualties was high.
At the time of impact, Sergeant Cox and Inspector Murphy were 50m away from a significant building collapse at the corner of Rue de Pasteur and Kumul Highway in downtown Port Vila.
Sergeant Cox and Inspector Murphy were part of the immediate rescue and evacuation effort within minutes, physically pulling the injured from the rubble at great risk to their own personal safety.
With the help of other volunteers on the scene, Sergeant Cox and Inspector Murphy started triaging and treating casualties, applying makeshift splints, slings and bandages before evacuating as many people as possible away from the waterfront due to the imminent threat of a tsunami triggered by the quake.
During the aftermath and evacuation efforts, Inspector Murphy was advised of a gas leak in an adjoining building. He worked swiftly to clear the public from the area to mitigate the danger. Then, at risk to himself, he entered the severely damaged building to assist local authorities in shutting off the gas leak to prevent further loss of life.
In the days and months after the earthquake, the two, as well as other deployed AFP members, and the Pacific Police Support Group worked shoulder to shoulder with the Vanuatu Police Force as they led a remarkable effort to respond to the devastation.
For their actions and bravery under extreme pressure and in the face of tragedy, AFP Sergeant Aaron Cox and Inspector Peter Murphy were honoured by the Police Federation of Australia in Canberra last night and personally received this year's National Police Bravery Award.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale said the actions of Sergeant Cox and Inspector Murphy were remarkable and had likely saved lives.
"Their extraordinary contributions, alongside the bravery of the Vanuatu Police Force, in what was an extremely complex and deteriorating environment came at great personal risk. They truly embody the very best of the AFP," Deputy Commissioner Gale said.
"I would also like to acknowledge and honour the parallel efforts and sacrifices of all the Vanuatu police officers, emergency services and volunteers who responded to the event and continue to be instrumental in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
"The AFP remembers the victims of the earthquake and sincerely hopes the many injured are on their own roads to recovery."
