"Senior Constable Bryan Farquharson and Constable Paul Bailey showed extraordinary and selfless bravery, in leaping without hesitation into dangerous surf to save Joshua's life," he said.
On March 10, Joshua was playing on the beach with friends when a large wave broke on shore, knocking him over, and sucking him into the surf. He was swept about 500 feet along the beach before a German backpacker entered into the water and reached him.
However, the waves were too strong and he ended up on the beach exhausted himself.
First officer on the scene was Senior Constable Farquharson who was responding to a 111 call. He removed his vest and other items, and ran immediately into the surf in an attempt to reach Joshua.
Constable Bailey had also responded, arriving while Senior Constable Farquharson was in the water. He too removed his uniform items and raced down into the water but was unable to return Joshua to shore.
However, Mr Farquharson had the presence of mind to summon people to help form a human chain in trying to reach Constable Bailey and Joshua.
At about this time Joshua had gone beneath the water and was out of sight. After searching for some time, Constable Bailey felt Joshua hit his legs beneath the water and reached down, picked him up and threw him towards the formed chain whereupon he was pulled back to safety.
