As normal radio broadcasting at 1030pm was interrupted for an emergency press conference in Brisbane with the police commissioner, the news was not going to be good. Tragically, our worst fears were realised as the quivering, duly sympathetic tones of Katarina Carroll confirmed the deaths of two young police officers and the wounding of a third. While there have been 604 mass shootings so far this year in the US, Australians will always consider such abominable behaviour alien to our life values, manifesting our universal condemnation of such evil acts. We must collectively reach out to the police family at this time of grief and be strengthened by the merits of the season to extol our unmitigated support and gratitude for their sacrifice. RIP to all in blue, who have ever fallen. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 14Dec2022.