On January 13, 2022, at 9:10 p.m., gunfire erupted near Mordialloc police station, drawing an immediate response from three officers who confronted an armed gunman and prevented additional deaths.
The Deadly Dispute
Sergeant Brad Dettman had just dropped off his partner when loud bangs echoed through the area. He raced toward the source, later joined by Senior Constables Jared Eames and Michael Gaetano, who sprinted 200 meters from the station to a nearby block of flats.
The shooter, 73-year-old resident Rodney Lee, had killed fellow tenants Tibor Laszlo and Saumoto Gasio amid escalating tensions over a hose in the communal garden. After repeated interruptions to his watering, Lee entered a shared space, declared, “I’m going to kill all of you,” and unleashed five shots from a single-barrelled shotgun. He reloaded methodically, hunting for more targets as screams filled the air from witnesses fearing they were next.
Officers Confront the Threat
Dettman prioritized securing the scene to halt the violence. As Lee emerged from the shadows with his shotgun raised, the sergeant challenged him. Lee pointed the weapon and warned, “You’re gunna get it.”
Dettman fired a shot that missed but forced Lee to retreat into his flat. Eames and Gaetano provided cover while the trio formed a cordon, trapping the gunman inside and shielding others from harm. Senior officers credit this rapid action with averting a mass shooting.
The Critical Incident Response Team arrived shortly after, and Lee surrendered 41 minutes following the initial shots. Gaetano had yet to clock in for his 11 p.m. shift.
Bravery Recognition and Training Emphasis
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush presented awards to the officers, with Dettman earning the Medal for Courage and Eames and Gaetano receiving chief commissioner certificates.
Bush stressed that police must engage active shooters immediately, forgoing delays for specialized units. He highlighted core values—professionalism, respect, integrity, compassion, and courage—and noted ongoing training with American interactive scenario videos prepares officers for such threats.
“Two people tragically lost their lives but their courage and bravery stopped further loss of life,” Bush stated. “Because of the threat of active shooters, our staff are trained and expected to be brave—it is part of the job.”
The officers described a deep trust forged in the moment. “The training and adrenaline kicked in so you don’t have time to be scared. We were able to protect each other,” Dettman said.
Gaetano reflected, “You don’t go to work expecting something like that.” Eames added that the honor was humbling, as “many members put their lives on the line every day.”
The Gunman’s Sentence
Lee pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and received a 30-year prison term with a non-parole period of 24 years.
