GEORGE NEWS - Police in the Southern Cape were dealt a big blow this week when one of their most senior and promising officers, Lt-Col Eric Julies, succumbed to Covid-19.
The devastating news of his untimely death reached George Herald on Monday morning. Julies, head of the detectives branch in Thembalethu, joined the force on 12 August 1986 and proudly served for 34 years and 154 days.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, Julies completed his studies at Da Gamaskop precinct (Mossel Bay) and went on to complete his basic training at the Mossel Bay detectives branch.
In 1993 he was transferred to the Conville police station in George and in 1996 he joined the George violent crimes investigations team. In 2000 he was again transferred, this time to Riversdale as station commander.
He came back to George in 2002 and took up a position at the organised crime unit. Three years later he went to Oudtshoorn where he joined the criminal investigations department. Later that year, in 2005, he came back to George where he was appointed as section commander at the Thembalethu detectives branch.
Julies, who became a constable in 1987, rose through the ranks to eventually become a Lieutenant-Colonel in 2010.
"He recently also applied for a position as full Colonel in the Eastern Cape. He went for an interview and when he returned he informed us that it went very well," said Pojie.
During his career Julies received the following medals:
SAPS 10-year loyal service medal, SAPS 75th Commemorative medal, SAPS 10-year Commemorative medal, SAPS 20-year loyal service medal, Soccer World Cup medal (2010), Centenary medal and finally he was awarded his 30-year loyal service medal.
A very emotional drive-by memorial service was held for Julies on Wednesday 13 January, in Pacaltsdorp where he lived.
Warrant Officer Henkie Rhode
It has come to the attention of George Herald that W/O Henkie Rhode, a legend in the organised crime department and an avid athlete, also passed away this week due to Covid-related issues. At the time of going to print George Herald could not obtain more information on Rhode's years of service in the police or reach the family for comment.
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