Donald George Fergusson (12 January 1912 – 14 February 1970) was an Australian

rower Rowing, often called crew in the United States, is the sport of racing boats using oars. It differs from paddling sports in that rowing oars (called blades in the United Kingdom) are attached to the boat using rowlocks, while paddles are ...

and police detective. He competed in the men's eight event at the

1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad () and officially branded as Berlin 1936, were an international multi-sport event held from 1 to 16 August 1936 in Berlin, then capital of Nazi Germany. Berlin won the bid to ...

. Fergusson committed suicide by shooting himself in 1970. Fergusson rowed for the New South Wales Police club in Sydney. In 1936 the Police Club's eight dominated the Sydney racing season, the New South Wales state titles and won the Henley-on-Yarra event. They were selected in toto as Australia's men's eight to compete at the

1936 Berlin Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad () and officially branded as Berlin 1936, were an international multi-sport event held from 1 to 16 August 1936 in Berlin, then capital of Nazi Germany. Berlin won the bid to ...

with their attendance funded by the NSW Police Federation. The Australian eight with Fergusson rowing in the two seat finished fourth in its heat, behind Hungary, Italy and Canada. It failed to qualify through the repechage to the final. A policeman and detective for 36 years, Fergusson was the Acting Metropolitan Superintendent of Police and Chief of the New South Wales

Criminal Investigation Branch The Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) is one of the main branches of the New Zealand Police and it is dedicated to investigating and solving serious crime, and targeting organized crime and recidivist criminals. The CIB has existed since the ...

(CIB) at the time of his death. His suicide note referred to him suffering from a fatal disease. In 1969 he was awarded the

Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, formerly the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledged brave acts by both civilians and members of the armed services in both war and peace, for gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. Est ...

for his part in ending the Glenfield Siege. It has been widely rumoured that he was in fact shot by fellow police officer Fred Krahe to cover up police corruption.James Morton, Susanna Lobez: ''Gangland Queensland'' (Melbourne Univ. Publishing, 1 September 2012),

References

1912 births 1970 suicides Australian male rowers Olympic rowers for Australia Rowers at the 1936 Summer Olympics Australian police officers Recipients of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct 1970 deaths Suicides by firearm in Australia People from Wickham, Western Australia Sportsmen from Western Australia 20th-century Australian sportsmen {{Australia-rowing-bio-stub