The last message former police officer Mitch Wrigley received from his colleague and close friend is something he says will stay with him forever.
“He wanted to do a ride with me. I couldn’t make it. I had told him to set a date and I would make it work, but I couldn’t. It’s ruined me,” Mitch said.
His friend, Sergeant Anthony Baillie, affectionately known as Bails, the name his family prefers, was found deceased at his Bateau Bay home on Monday, April 6, with a gunshot wound from a police-issued firearm. Authorities have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Bails’ death is now the subject of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Review. Police sources say the review will look into how the sergeant was able to take a firearm home to his Central Coast residence after a night shift. It is understood he was designated an “internal sergeant”, meaning he was not permitted to carry a weapon due to mental health concerns.
For now, Mitch, Bails’ colleagues, and his loved ones are focused on remembering the man they admired and the friend they miss.
“I just wish I could have done more for him,” Mitch said.
He described Bails as someone rare, the kind of person who would go out of his way to help others, “even if it meant he copped criticism for it.”
“He always had your back and would fight for the troops below him before protecting himself.”
This Wednesday, Mitch will ride the very route the two men had planned to do together, joined by Bails’ father, other family members and police colleagues. Mitch is organising the ride as a tribute, hoping to make it “the biggest thing as he really enjoyed being out on his bike.”
“His ride of choice, which we did together many times, is the ride we will be doing,” Mitch said.
“I want to make this a big event to show how much he was loved as a son, father, brother, uncle, and friend. This ride means the world to me, and I would love as much support on the ride. If you can offer any support, big or small, it will all be greatly appreciated.”
He added: “If you know Bails, know of him, or want to support a friend riding, please make every effort you can to attend.”
Cyclists are asked to gather at 9am for a 10am start on Railway Parade at the intersection of Gen Street, Belmont. The group will ride to The Beach Hotel in Merewether for lunch before returning to Belmont, with a support vehicle available to transport bikes if there are mechanical issues or injuries. Coffee will be supplied by Emerge & See NSW & ACT, serving Toby’s Estate Coffee.
“Let’s all get together and show our support for the legend Bails was,” Mitch said.
Alana Singleton from Emerge & See also urged anyone experiencing mental health issues to reach out for help. Emerge & See is a “peer-led, free, independent, and confidential mental health support service for currently serving and retired emergency service workers and volunteers.”
She said, “Driven by the lived experience of service, trauma, treatment, recovery, and growth, they will be there to help with resources, education, professional referrals, connection, and hope. We empower our community to proactively engage in support.”
To connect or seek support, visit emergeandsee.org.au or email info@emergeandsee.org.au.
