A police officer who was hailed as a hero after the Bondi Junction mass stabbing has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
New South Wales Inspector Amy Scott’s diagnosis comes less than two years after she was recognised for extraordinary bravery during the April 13, 2024, attack at Westfield Bondi Junction.
Scott was working alone when she confronted knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi inside the crowded shopping centre.
By that point, Cauchi had killed six people and injured 12 others, including a nine-month-old baby.
Scott fired three shots, fatally wounding Cauchi and bringing the rampage to an end. Her actions are credited with saving multiple lives.
Colleagues have expressed shock at the diagnosis, which was revealed on Monday via the NSW Police Legacy page.
“Our beautiful friend and colleague, Inspector Amy Scott, has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer,” an appeal created by a third party read.
“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.”
While Scott is being “well supported by her family, friends and colleagues”, the appeal said she faces a long battle ahead “to beat this insidious disease”.
“Amy now needs the strength, compassion and support of her community.
“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.”
Beyond her policing career, Scott is a devoted wife and mother to two young boys.
The news has come as a blow to colleagues who had hoped her recent absence from duty was for rest and recovery following the traumatic events of Bondi Junction.
At the coronial inquest into the attack, Scott gave harrowing evidence about the moments she came face-to-face with Cauchi, revealing she believed she was about to die, NewsWire reported.
“I actually felt nauseous as I ran in because in my head I resigned myself to the fact that I was probably going to die,” she told the court.
When asked what was going through her mind as she fired her first shot, her answer was stark.
“That he was going to kill me.”
Despite hitting Cauchi with her first bullet, Scott told the inquest he continued advancing towards her, forcing her to fire again as she retreated.
“He just turned and started running at me,” she said, describing how she fell to the ground as Cauchi collapsed beyond the point where she had initially been standing.
After the shooting, Scott secured the knife from beneath Cauchi’s body and attempted to render aid, before checking whether a missed round may have struck a bystander.
A special operations officer later told news.com.au her actions were exceptional.
“We train for this kind of thing every shift, but general duty cops don’t,” the officer said.
“She had the calm under pressure, the control and the guts to tackle him head-on and make sure civilians were out of harm’s way.
“You never know how you are going to react until you’re put in that situation, and she did good.”