Don Fergusson

Donald George Fergusson (12 January 1912 – 14 February 1970) was an Australian rower and police detective. He competed in the men's eight event at the 1936 Summer Olympics.[1] Fergusson committed suicide by shooting himself in 1970.[2][3]

Don Fergusson
Personal information
Full nameDonald George Fergusson
NationalityAustralian
Born(1912-01-12)12 January 1912
Wickham, Western Australia, Australia
Died14 February 1970(1970-02-14) (aged 58)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sport
SportRowing

Fergusson rowed for the New South Wales Police club in Sydney. In 1936 the Police Club's eight dominated the Sydney racing season, the New South Wales state titles and won the Henley-on-Yarra event.[4] They were selected in toto as Australia's men's eight to compete at the 1936 Berlin Olympics with their attendance funded by the NSW Police Federation.[5] The Australian eight with Fergusson rowing in the two seat finished fourth in its heat, behind Hungary, Italy and Canada. It failed to qualify through the repechage to the final.[6]

A policeman and detective for 36 years, Fergusson was the Acting Metropolitan Superintendent of Police and Chief of the New South Wales Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) at the time of his death. His suicide note referred to him suffering from a fatal disease.[3] In 1969 he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for his part in ending the Glenfield Siege.[7]

It has been widely rumoured that he was in fact shot by fellow police officer Fred Krahe in order to cover up police corruption.[8]

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Don Ferguson Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. "Don Fergusson". Olympedia. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  3. "C.I.B. Chief Found Shot". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 February 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 22 March 2021 – via Google News Archive Search.
  4. "Sydney Rows History". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  5. "1936 Olympics". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  6. "Sydney Rows History". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  7. "Honour citation". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  8. James Morton, Susanna Lobez: Gangland Queensland (Melbourne Univ. Publishing, 1 September 2012),


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