The police officer who was key in police's response to a shooting in Christchurch in 2010 has reflected on that day after being honoured in a new police memorial.
He Toa Taumata Rau (The Place of Many Brave Deeds) was officially opened at the police college in Wellington this week to honour the courage and achievements of police staff throughout the years.
Senior Sergeant Mike Wardle told AM he and another colleague responded to an incident at a Christchurch address in 2010 where the offender refused to come out of his bedroom.
Snr Srgt Wardle called for some assistance, and his colleague Bruce and police dog Gage arrived to help. The officers formed a plan where they would try and convince the offender to come out of his bedroom.
But Snr Srgt Wardle told AM when Bruce pushed the offender's bedroom door open, that's when the man opened fire at Bruce.
"As Bruce fell to the ground sort of almost at my feet, the guy came out with his rifle pointed and as he went to shoot Bruce again, Gage has come across and jumped over the top and was unfortunately fatally injured,"
Snr Srgt Wardle then attempted to taser the man, while his other colleague Marty Style dragged Bruce away from the scene.
"There was a bit of a delay in there, I managed to try and taser him, he (the offender) hid again, [he] cleared his rifle, saw my colleague and started shooting Mitch."
When Snr Srgt Wardle attempted to taser the man, he says the offender tried to shoot him too.
"For whatever reason, the gun misfired so I was very lucky in the instance."
And the gun continued to misfire when the offender attempted to shoot at Snr Srgt Wardle a further two times.
"It was my lucky day."
Snr Srgt Wardle said he managed to reload his taser and retreat out of the house, where cordons were set up.
"He chased us out of the house and even down the driveway, still pointing the gun at us," he said.
"The AOS turned up a little bit later and we successfully managed to arrest him without any further injuries or incidents."
He said the installation of He Toa Taumata Rau is "really really awesome" and told AM he's "proud" that police have been recognised for the work they do.
"It's a privilege, it's an honour, it's a real honour," he added.
Watch the full interview above.
