Hero cop Amy Scott diagnosed with cancer

4 hours ago 3

The heroic NSW Police officer who confronted and killed a knife-wielding attacker who took six lives and injured a dozen more in Bondi Junction Westfield has been diagnosed with cancer.

Inspector Amy Scott ran towards danger as Joel Cauchi stabbed shoppers with a military-style knife inside the eastern suburbs shopping centre on April 13, 2024.

Inspector Amy Scott receiving the NSW Police Commissioner’s Valour Award.

Scott was alone when she faced the attacker minutes after his rampage began. She raised her pistol and, as Cauchi charged towards her, shot him dead – preventing the loss of further life including her own.

NSW Police Legacy on Monday announced Scott had been diagnosed with a “rare and aggressive form of breast cancer” and launched an appeal to ease the financial burden on her family.

“Beyond her dedicated service to the community, Amy is a devoted wife, a loving mother of two young boys, and has a family who depend on her and walk this journey beside her every day,” Legacy wrote online.

“Amy is widely known as selfless, compassionate, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

“She is every bit the remarkable human you would think. She is fiercely independent and the first to champion others.”

NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott (centre) arriving at the NSW Coroner’s Court in Lidcombe a year after the attack.

Legacy’s fundraiser said Scott faced a “long, uphill battle” against the insidious disease.

“This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human, and this fundraiser has been created to ease the financial burden for Amy and her family during this incredibly challenging time.”

She was given a Commissioner’s Valour Award “for displaying exceptional bravery in a life-threatening situation” at a police graduation ceremony in June 2024.

But Scott had quietly taken a leave of absence after the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing in the middle of 2025.

She had told the inquest she had run into the shopping centre, resigned to her belief that she was going to die.

“Whilst I was the person who faced Joel, those same officers [went in too] … I just want to acknowledge their courage and bravery,” Scott told the inquest.

“As tragic as that day was, it restored my faith in humanity.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday said Scott “is a genuine, bona fide Australian hero”.

“[She is] someone we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction of a couple of years ago but she has been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the terrorism event on the 14th of December,” Minns told ABC.

“She is so important for NSW Police and our community. I’m devastated to hear this news. If anyone deserves a break it’s Amy, and we just wish her the very best, she is an absolute champion.”

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley described Scott as “the epitome of the brilliance of the NSW Police Force”.

“The whole police family are suffering at the moment with the knowledge of her diagnosis. We wish her and her family well.”

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