Robert John "Rocky" Lane (12 December 1946 – 13 July 1979) was a Victorian police detective who was murdered in the line of duty. He was also an Australian rules footballer who played two senior games with Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
| Bob Lane | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Robert John Lane | ||
| Nickname(s) | Rocky | ||
| Date of birth | 12 December 1946 | ||
| Place of birth | Kerang, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 13 July 1979 (aged 32) | ||
| Place of death | Kyalite, New South Wales | ||
| Original team(s) | Kerang | ||
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1966 | Carlton | 2 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1966. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Family
editThe son of George Walter Lane (1910-1968), and Eliza Jean Lane (1915-1977), née Lane, Robert John Lane was born at Kerang, Victoria on 12 December 1946.[2]
Football
editCarlton (VFL)
editLane, who hailed from Kerang, had joined the Victoria Police before he was recruited to Carlton. Former teammates remember him turning up to training in his police uniform. He managed only the briefest of opportunities at the VFL level, coming on late in the last quarter in both of his appearances.
Williamstown (VFA)
editHe transferred to Williamstown in the Second Division of the VFA in 1967. His employment meant that he could only play from time to time. In all he played in 39 games, scored 36 goals, over seven seasons (1967-1971, 1974, 1975), including the team that defeated Sunshine, in the Second Division VFA Grand Final, at Toorak Park, on 14 September 1969.[7]
Country football
editHe later transferred to the country as his police career progressed. Lane was captain-coach of Lake Boga and, later, Lalbert, in the Mid Murray Football League.
Death
editOn 13 July 1979, while working as a detective senior constable with Victoria Police, Lane accompanied Daniel Bernard Chapman (who was suspected of stealing a police car) to a campsite across the state border at Kyalite, New South Wales.[8] While Lane was searching the caravan, Chapman shot Lane twice in the head, with a rifle that he (Chapman) had hidden, killing Lane instantly.[2][6][9][10][11]
Following a massive manhunt,[12][13] involving both Victorian and New South Wales police,[14][15] the suspect was apprehended seven days later,[16] after he had dumped the police car in the river. He was tried,[17][18][19] convicted of murder, and (on 1 July 1980) sentenced to life in prison,[20][21] and was released 13 years later.[22]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Holmesby & Main (2009), p. 471.
- ^ a b c Stephens, Tony, "Rocky, the Hero Cop ... Why did he have to Die? Friends ask", The (Sydney) Sun-Herald, (Sunday, 15 July 1979), p. 3.
- ^ Lump sum, pension for widow, The Age, (Friday, 20 July 1979), p.. 3.
- ^ "Police urge trust fund action over widows", The Age, (Monday, 8 October 1979), p. 3.
- ^ Murdoch, Lindsay, "Police Widow won't get Compo: Union angered by State border ruling", The Age, (Friday, 7 December 1979), p. 3.
- ^ a b De Bolfo, Anthony (2006). "Bob Lane: Blues Honour Policeman". Blueseum. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ Smith, Mike, "Seagulls back in top Div.", The Age, (Monday, 15 September 1969), p. 29.
- ^ Keeley, Robert (25 October 1979). "Car Check led to Death: P.C." The Age. p. 20 – via Google News.
- ^ Ballard, Steve (16 July 1979). "It was a trivial thing to kill for, says sorrowing brother". The Age. p. 5 – via Google News.
- ^ "Naked body of Detective found in Well". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 July 1979. p. 1.
- ^ "Robert John LANE: Victoria Police Force". The Thin Blue Line. Australian Police. 20 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Murdoch, Lindsay (16 July 1979). "Police hunt Murder Couple in Outback". The Age. p. 1 – via Google News.
- ^ Ballard, Steve (16 July 1979). "Force Erupts in a Fury". The Age. p. 5 – via Google News.
- ^ Stephens, Tony; Watson, Andrew; Buckell, Jim (15 July 1979). "Wanted: Teenage Pair Sought". The Sun-Herald. Sydney. p. 1 – via Google News.
- ^ "Youth has vowed not to surrender, Police say". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 1979. p. 3 – via Google News.
- ^ Murdoch, Lindsay (20 July 1979). "Man Charged". The Age – via Google News.
- ^ "Detective denies threat against Murder Suspect". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 October 1979. p. 12 – via Google News.
- ^ "Film Order in Murder Case". The Age. 6 November 1979. p. 6 – via Google News.
- ^ Keeley, Robert (15 November 1979). "Shot Detective: Four for Trial". The Age. p. 19 – via Google News.
- ^ "Police Killing: Man gets Life". The Age. 2 July 1980. p. 16 – via Google News.
- ^ "Court Sequel to Manhunt: Man gets life for shooting detective". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 July 1980 – via Google News.
- ^ Anderson, John (2006). "Indefinite, Inhumane, Inequitable". University of New South Wales Law Journal.
References
edit- Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2009). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (8th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921496-00-4.