A former police officer involved in the shooting of one of the country’s most notorious killers has spoken out about how the event left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Graeme Burton was shot – and then saved — by police during a deadly rampage almost 20 years ago. But the shooting left one officer with serious mental health issues, and he now wants to help others.
In 2007, Burton - a convicted killer on parole – struck again, gunning down a member of the public in Wainuiomata.
Former police officer Allister Rose came face to face with the murderer while he was on the run.
“Burton pulled the trigger on me, and the gun failed to fire. That’s why I’m still alive today,” Rose said.
He has now shared the chilling details of the moment Burton was shot on social media.
On an Instagram post for his charity the Blue Hope Foundation he said: “The bullet hit him in the femoral artery and there was blood everywhere. I told him I was medically trained and that I would look after him.
"Going from shooting someone to then saving them in the space of a minute is a bit of a mindf***.”
Despite being awarded the New Zealand Bravery star for his response, the case took a personal toll. “I started drinking straight away, my marriage eventually broke down and my life started to fall apart," Rose said. "I really needed to get help.”
He did get that help and has since left the police, turning his time to helping other officers by creating the Blue Hope Foundation.
“At any one time I’m looking after about 40 either former police officers or serving police officers,” he said.
He's currently cycling more than 1000kms up the North Island to raise awareness and money for his charity, with a goal of $200,000.
Former police officer Allister Rose suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following the dramatic events in 2007. (Source: 1News)
Police say over the past 20 years they have made "major improvements in how we support our people after traumatic or high stress events".
In a statement police added: "The systems in place today are significantly stronger, more clinically informed, and far more comprehensive than what existed at the time of the Graeme Burton case."
Police say they have shifted from an older “welfare” model to a modern, holistic “wellness” approach. This includes having a national wellness team with health-based specialist advisers in each district.
"We also now have a formal Trauma Support Policy that sets out clear steps after attendance at a traumatic incident. This includes mandatory psychological referrals, dedicated downtime, and structured return to work processes—procedures that did not exist in such a structured form 20 years ago.
"Staff today have access to multiple layers of professional mental health support, including confidential counselling through EAP, clinical psychologists and a wellness hub made available to both staff and their whānau."
Rose is just a week in to his mission, hoping to reach Cape Reinga next month.
The search and subsequent arrest of Graeme Burton in 2007. (Source: 1News)
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