A senior policeman who was stabbed by a child sex offender he was arresting remains in a serious condition in a hospital intensive care unit, after undergoing emergency surgery.
Detective Sergeant John Breda, 45, was stabbed twice in the chest and abdomen by wanted sex offender Nick Newman, 33, in Maroubra on Friday afternoon.
The father-of-two underwent emergency surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital as his devastated wife, Kim, arrived to be by his bedside under police escort.
Acting NSW Police Commissioner Dave Hudson visited Mr Breda in hospital on Saturday and said he is in a ‘very serious but stable condition’.
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The loving father and decorated detective John Breda, 45, (left) is fighting for life in hospital after he was stabbed twice by wanted sex offender Nick Newman
The devoted father and policeman (right) underwent emergency surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital as his devastated wife, Kim, (left) arrived to be by his bedside under police escort
Photos show the devoted father spending time with his two children and wife as well as enjoying baking pastries in the kitchen (pictured)
The veteran of the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad was awarded the police force’s highest honour in 2015, the National Medal (pictured) by the Prime Minister
Obviously we are not medical experts but we have spoken to them,’ he said.
‘They are comfortable with his progress so far however he is by no means out of danger.’
Sergeant Breda was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by Newman during a violent outburst at Maroubra Junction Hotel before the child rapist was shot dead in the beer garden by two other police officers.
The veteran of the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad has spent time in the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and was awarded one of the police force’s highest honours.
In 2015, the 45-year-old was given the National Medal by the Prime Minister.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said a lot of people were concerned about the senior officer as he is ‘very well regarded’.
‘We’re certainly very concerned about his condition and our thoughts are with him and his family,’ he said.
Daily Mail Australia understands during the violent arrest, Newman cut his own throat with a knife before being fatally shot, where witnesses said they heard four or five gunshots.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said a lot of people were concerned about the senior officer (pictured with Kim) as he is ‘very well regarded’
The hero detective was stabbed by Newman, who was then shot dead at a pub in Sydney
Newman (pictured) stabbed Sergeant Breda in the chest and abdomen during a violent outburst at Maroubra Junction Hotel
Sergeant Breda (pictured) was stabbed in the beer garden before two other police officers fatally shot Newman ‘four or five’ times, according to witnesses
A dozen police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene on Anzac Parade, shutting down area
A man was seen being escorted from the scene in handcuffs by police shortly after incident
Bar staff were escorted from the building in Maroubra after the shooting on Friday (pictured)
Wanted for child sex offences Newman reportedly failed to appear in court on Wednesday and police sent out a public appeal to find the man.
Newman was wanted for six counts of rape, one count of intentionally choking and one count of aggravated sexual assault against a person under 16.
Dramatic video shot by a witness at the scene showed officers with guns draw at a back entrance to the pub, before entering in combat stance.
Two 18-year-old boys who heard the commotion told Daily Mail Australia it was ‘pretty scary’.
‘Our friends were inside and we heard the shots so we hurried to see what was going on. There was blood everywhere,’ Mackenzie Gibbs said.
‘Our friends were inside and we heard the shots so we hurried to see what was going on. There was blood everywhere,’ Mackenzie Gibbs (left) told Daily Mail Australia
The senior officer was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery and is in a critical condition
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton (pictured) said the senior officer was stabbed in chest and abdomen
Another man was seen being marched away from the pub by police but it was not clear why he was arrested.
At least 20 police officers locked down the area, putting up tape and telling nearby businesses to close.
Sales assistant Lara Alexander was working at the nearby Pharmacy 4 Less when she heard ‘four or five’ gunshots.
‘I was vacuuming here at work and I heard gunshots from a couple of doors away. About four or five,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
The officer was seen arriving at the hospital surrounded by concerned colleagues while paramedics worked on him
A large number of police officers were at the scene and were seen talking to people
At least 20 police officers locked down the area, putting up tape and telling nearby businesses to close
A witness told reporters: ‘I reckon about four or five shots, easy… bang, bang, bang, bang, bang… we saw blood everywhere… it all just happened so suddenly.’
Noel Whelan has been staying at the Maroubra Junction Hotel for a few months and was shocked when he was ushered out and into the street this afternoon
‘I went outside and there were three or four ambulances and a whole bunch of police cars.
‘And then I saw someone on a stretcher come out of the pub and another guy in handcuffs.’
Another witness told reporters: ‘I reckon about four or five shots, easy… bang, bang, bang, bang, bang… we saw blood everywhere… it all just happened so suddenly.’
Noel Whelan has been staying at the Maroubra Junction Hotel for a few months and was shocked when he was ushered out and into the street this afternoon.
Mr Whelan said he saw the police officer being brought outside and he ‘didn’t look very comfortable at all’.
Dramatic video shot by a witness at the scene showed officers with guns draw at a back entrance to the pub, before entering in combat stance
Large number of police congregate outside the Maroubra Junction Hotel
‘I knew something was wrong when the police came pouring in. There were sirens coming from everywhere,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I heard what could have been a muffled gunshot but didn’t think anything of it until I went down stairs and there were police everywhere.’
Mr Whelan stays in Maroubra for six months every year and is saddened by the incident.
‘I just want to get back to Europe. I didn’t expect anything like this to happen in Australia especially not in Australia Day.’
The homicide squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the officers shooting the attacker, police said.
The investigation will be independently reviewed and a report prepared for the coroner.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and colleagues of the NSW Police officer injured in Maroubra this afternoon,’ NSW Police Minister Troy Grant said.
‘Thank you to the team at St Vincent’s who are caring for him now.’
The officer was stabbed multiple times in the chest about 3.10pm at the Maroubra Junction Hotel on Anzac Parade