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Detective Superintendent Michael Willing is the longest-serving boss of the NSW Police Force's homicide quad.
And in his five years in the top job he's also overseen arrests in some of the state's longest-running murder investigations.
Superintendent Willing is one of eight NSW Police Force members to receive the Australian Police Medal in this year's Queens Birthday Honours. NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has been awarded an Order of Australia for his professionalism in policing and leadership in international investigations and counter-terrorism activities.
Superintendent Willing walked into the Goulburn police academy in 1990 and three years later he was working criminal investigations a field where he has now spent the majority of his distinguished career.
Having risen through the ranks serving in his home town of Dubbo and on the far south coast, Superintendent Willing took charge of the homicide squad in 2011.
Since then he's overseen countless high-profile arrests by his squad including the capture of double murderer and bush fugitive Malcolm Naden and the alleged Family Court bomber Leonard John Warwick – an investigation that dates back to the 1980s.
His detectives are seen as the leaders in homicide investigation in Australasia, with the highest case completion rate of any homicide squad in Australia.
"Everyone here is absolutely dedicated to speaking for those who can no longer speak," Superintendent Willing previously told Fairfax Media of the homicide squad. "They honestly feel there is no greater privilege than to investigate the death of someone else because they can't talk for themselves."
Another recipient this year of the Australian Police Medal is Detective Inspector Michael Sheehy, one of the state's highest-regarded investigators who has spent time with the gangs squad, homicide squad and now oversees the robbery and serious crime squad.
His 30 years experience in the field is often call upon by other officers.
Detective Superintendent Mark Noakes has also been awarded the Australian Police Medal, another cop with his roots in criminal investigation but who is now a commander of POLAIR – the force's aircraft fleet made up of five helicopters and two fixed wing.
Bankstown Local Area Commander Superintendent David Eardley, Hawkesbury Local Area Commander Superintendent Stephen Egginton and Superintendent Paul Fehon, commander of the Mid North Coast are also recipients of the medal.
As is Senior Sergeant Kevin Allard, who is leader in surveillance duties and Senior Sergeant Donna Murphy, the licensing coordinator in Sydney's popular nightclub strip at Kings Cross and who oversaw the introduction of ID scanners at at nightspots.