Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert was patrolling the Chanukah by the Sea celebration at Bondi Beach on 14th December 2025 when his life changed forever.
The young officer, who’d barely completed his probationary period, sustained gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder during what authorities have classified as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
When Courage Becomes Instinct
Despite catastrophic injuries, witnesses say Hibbert kept moving toward people in danger.
He continued helping others even as he bled from bullet wounds. He didn’t stop until his body physically gave out.
“In the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness,” his family said in a statement released through NSW Police.
“He moved toward people in need, not away from danger.”
The Devastating Toll
The constable injured during the Bondi shooting was rushed to intensive care, where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries.
He survived, but the damage was severe. The gunshot wound to his head resulted in permanent loss of vision in one eye.
More surgeries lie ahead. His family describes a “long and challenging recovery” that will test the young officer’s resilience.
Jack Hibbert had been in the NSW Police Force for exactly four months when the attack occurred. He was simply doing his job, patrolling the celebration and engaging with the community he’d sworn to protect.
A Commissioner’s Promise
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon visited Hibbert in hospital this week with an important message.
“Jack is incredibly comforted by the knowledge that, as his commissioner, I have given him an undertaking that we really support him,” Commissioner Lanyon told reporters on 18th December.
“We will find appropriate duties for him depending on the nature of that injury and his capacity.”
The promise matters. With permanent vision loss, Hibbert’s policing career could have ended before it truly began.
Instead, he’ll have the chance to continue serving in a role that accommodates his injury. The force isn’t abandoning one of its youngest heroes.
Two Officers Down, One Community Shattered
Constable Jack Hibbert wasn’t the only officer wounded that Sunday afternoon.
Constable Scott Dyson, 25, who’d been with the force for 18 months, was also shot during the attack. He underwent surgery on 18th December and remains in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Scott Dyson was shot multiple times in the Sydney massacre and is fighting for his life
Commissioner Lanyon visited both officers. “For both officers, it will be a long road to recovery,” he said.
The shooting took place as approximately 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. Two gunmen, identified as father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire on the crowd.
Fifteen people died in the attack, including:
- A 10-year-old girl
- An 87-year-old Holocaust survivor
- Chabad rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan
- French national Dan Elkayam
- Rockdale Ilinden FC manager Peter Meagher
The elder Akram was shot dead by police during the confrontation. His son, Naveed Akram, was critically injured and taken into custody.
As of 18th December, 21 people remained hospitalised. Twelve were in stable condition, three in critical condition, and six in critical but stable condition.
Pattern of Violence Against Police
The Bondi Beach shooting adds to a troubling pattern of violence against law enforcement across Australia.
In June 2025, a Tasmania Police officer was fatally shot during routine duties in North Motton, highlighting the unpredictable dangers officers face daily.
Violent incidents in Sydney have escalated in recent months, with multiple shootings linked to organised crime and terrorism putting both police and civilians at risk.
The attack on officers protecting a religious celebration represents a new level of brazenness that has shocked the nation.
Community Rallies Behind Wounded Officers
Support has poured in from across Australia and internationally for the wounded officers and their families.
“Their families are overwhelmed by the support they’ve received,” Commissioner Lanyon said. “Their bravery on that day and the fact they continue to complete their service is of great respect to us.”
Colleagues who were present during the attack have visited Hibbert in hospital, praising his devotion to duty and his selfless actions while seriously wounded.
The family has requested privacy as they support Jack through his recovery, but expressed gratitude for the “unmatched” support from the police force, hospital staff, and the wider community.
What Jack’s Story Reveals About Policing in 2025
Jack Hibbert’s experience illuminates the reality facing young police officers in Australia today.
At 22 years old with minimal experience, he faced a mass shooting event that veteran officers might never encounter in decades of service.
He responded not with hesitation but with instinct shaped by training. He moved toward danger. He helped others while bleeding from gunshot wounds.
Now he faces a future fundamentally altered by one afternoon of violence. His career path will look different than he imagined.
But he’ll still be a police officer. The force hasn’t given up on him.
Commissioner Lanyon’s promise ensures that Hibbert’s service won’t be measured by his physical capacity alone. His courage, judgment, and commitment matter more.
Also Read: Josh Frydenberg Demands Albanese Accept Responsibility After Bondi Massacre Claims 15 Lives
The Long Road Ahead
Jack Hibbert remains in hospital, facing additional surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
His family says he “deeply loves” his job and was “simply doing his job” when he was shot. That job now includes the challenge of recovering while knowing 15 people died that day despite everyone’s best efforts.
The psychological toll may prove as difficult as the physical recovery. Witnessing mass carnage. Being unable to save everyone. Living with permanent disability at 22 years old.
Support services will be critical. So will the promise that he still belongs in the police family.
Constable Jack Hibbert went to work on 14th December to help protect people celebrating a religious festival. He did exactly that, at tremendous personal cost.
Australia now waits to see what his recovery brings, and what role he’ll play in the force that refused to let him go.
