The wife of a paramedic who was tragically killed at work has introduced their newborn daughter to the world five weeks after the tragedy.
Steven Tougher, 29, was stabbed to death in a McDonald’s car park in Campbelltown, in Sydney’s south-west, on the morning of April 14.
His death came just a month before his daughter Lili-Mae was due – and only seven weeks after he and his wife Madison got married.
Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, has been charged with Mr Tougher’s murder. He remains in custody and is due to face a Sydney court later this year.
Madison named their ‘little bundle of joy’ Lili-Mae Stevie Tougher, to honour her father’s memory, and said she’s been a ‘gift’ during such an incredibly difficult time.
Madison Tougher, the wife of hero paramedic Steven Tougher, has introduced the couple’s daughter, Lily-Mae (pictured, Madison holding Lily-Mae)
‘She’s brought so much love and happiness into everyone’s life and my life especially,’ she told A Current Affair.
When Lily-Mae was born, an emotional Madison said Steven was ‘definitely in that room’.
‘He was really looking forward to being a dad and that breaks my heart more than anything. We were so close,’ she said.
While initially keeping the news of the birth of the couple’s daughter private, Madison felt now was the time to bring the good news to the world.
‘I just feel like now is the right time,’ she said.
‘I just think the world needed to know that Lily was here, and the man Steven was.’
Madison also opened up about the traumatic turn of events in her life during the interview.
‘We had a marriage certificate in March, April I had a death certificate and then May I’ve had a birth certificate,’ she said.
‘Completely wrong order.’
Steven Tougher (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death at a McDonald’s carpark at Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west in April
The horrific stabbing happened only a month before Lili-May was due and seven weeks after Steven and Madison (both pictured) were married
But when reflecting on Steven and her newborn, she tearfully added: ‘He’s definitely in his little girl. She’s very special.’
Steven’s parents, Jeff and Jill, say Lily-Mae has been ‘the glue that’s going to mend so many broken hearts’.
‘She’ll hold us together,’ Jeff added.
The Tougher family are now calling for the introduction of ‘Steven’s Law’ – which would introduce harsher penalties for thugs who attack emergency workers.
It would also see paramedics don body-worn cameras and stab vests, as well as establishing a police and ambulance alert system.
NSW Ambulance is trialling body-worn cameras on paramedics until November.
‘We can make their workplace safer through simply issuing these things and a set of laws that go with it,’ Jeff said.
Steven’s parents, Jeff and Jill (pictured), said their granddaughter would be the ‘glue’ that holds them together
The family are now pushing for ‘Steven’s Law’ to be introduced as a way to carry on the legacy of their compassionate, loving son
At Steven’s memorial service in early May, Madison said she had made a ‘new vow’ to her late husband and ‘forever love’.
‘On that day, I made a promise to you, I vowed to love you for the rest of my days and I became your wife,’ she said.
‘Today, just seven weeks later, I make a new vow to you.
‘Today I vow that our two beautiful children will always know what a selfless hardworking, kind, compassionate person you were.
‘They will forever understand how their dad was a hero who helped people through the most painful and sickest times.’
Madison vowed to teach the couple’s two children their father had been a ‘hero’ during the paramedic’s celebration of life back in May
Steven had been nearing the end of a night shift when Fineanganofo allegedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach at a McDonald’s car park (above)
NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan posthumously presented Steven with a pandemic service medal and national medal at the service, which was held at the University of Wollongong.
His family was handed the National Medal of Service by Governor-General David Hurley in recognition of the duties he would have completed.
Steven had been nearing the end of a night shift when Fineanganofo allegedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach.
He and his colleague had been ‘working hard all night’ and were taking a meal break at the time in a McDonald’s car park.
As police rushed to the scene and arrested his alleged attacker, Steven was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition where he sadly died.
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