Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has died aged 67.
Until his retirement in early 2026, the career cop was the state's most experienced officer, serving nearly five decades on the frontline.
He became a well-known figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing border closures, airport security and hotel quarantine operations.
As the former state disaster coordinator, Mr Gollschewski also steered the policing response to several cyclones, floods and bushfires.
In April 2024, the long-term deputy commissioner was formally appointed as Queensland's 21st top cop.
Just 10 months into his five-year term, the husband and father-of-five — who had never smoked — was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It had spread to his liver, bones and brain.
He took immediate leave to focus on his health and family but made a remarkable recovery, returning to the job six months later.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to law enforcement, counter-terrorism activities and the community in August 2026.
Queensland governor Dr Jeannette Young presented the medal during a private ceremony at Brisbane's Mater Private Hospital.
In a statement, Mr Gollschewski's family said he passed away "surrounded by the love and admiration of his family".
"Steve approached his diagnosis and treatment with resolute determination.
Premier David Crisafulli and Police Minister Dan Purdie paid their respects to the former commissioner and his family.
"On behalf of all Queensland, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time," Mr Crisafulli said in a statement.
Battling natural disasters
Born into a policing family, Mr Gollschewski joined the Queensland Police Force, as it was known then, in 1980, to begin his rise through the ranks.
He worked across organised crime, intelligence, anti-corruption and counterterrorism.
He also helped steer Queensland through natural disasters and a once in a generation pandemic.
Having been appointed state disaster coordinator, he led the policing response to the 2011 Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods.
He oversaw the 2012 flood evacuation of St George, alongside cyclones Oswald, Ita, Marcia, Nathan and Debbie.
In 2019, he led the response to the Peregian Beach bushfires.
And in early 2022, he was on the frontline as severe flooding hit southern Queensland.
The Commonwealth Games came to Queensland for the second time in 2018, with the Gold Coast playing host more than a quarter of a century after the 1982 Brisbane Games.
It was there that Mr Gollschewski was responsible for the largest security operation in Australia for the decade as commander of Operational Sentinel.
'Mr Fix It'
When COVID-19 started to sweep across the state in 2020, Mr Gollschewski was responsible for airport and border security and hotel quarantine.
He fronted the media daily and became a familiar face for Queenslanders in a period of unprecedented uncertainty.
Fellow former QPS commissioner Bob Atkinson praised how Mr Gollschewski managed the COVID pandemic in a "sensible, calm, and very reliable way".
"I thought that he established a good deal of confidence in the community, as did others, in terms of we've got a massive issue here, it's very concerning, it's threatening, but we will get through it and these are the things we need to do," he said.
Mr Atkinson said Mr Gollschewski's push for Queenslanders to be safer and "feel safer" was part of his legacy.
"That to my mind and belief is the fundamental role of policing in the community," he said.
"You can have all the statistics in the world, but unless people actually feel safe, you haven't really been successful.
As the world adjusted to life after lockdown, the man known among colleagues as 'Mr Fix It' turned his attention to what he called his "toughest challenge yet" — implementing the state's most significant and transformative domestic violence policing reforms.
"Even as difficult as COVID was, we knew once we got a vaccine that we would come through the other end," Mr Gollschewski told the ABC.
Taking charge
In February 2024, his close friend Katarina Carroll retired as police commissioner.
It came amid growing concern about domestic violence and youth crime, ongoing police recruitment issues, and reports of unrest within the ranks.
Mr Gollschewski took the reins in the interim.
Two months later, he was officially appointed as the state's 21st top cop.
He took charge at a testing time for the embattled service, still reeling from a scathing 2022 landmark inquiry that found sexism and racism were rife in the ranks.
Mr Gollschewski pledged to reform the police service and bolster community safety.
"I've said already to my organisation, and more broadly, that our focus now among the many priorities we have is fairly simple: it's to keep our communities safer and make sure that they feel safe," he said after he was sworn in.
Cancer battle
Less than a year into the job, Mr Gollschewski took immediate leave in February 2025 after a shock cancer diagnosis.
The fit and healthy officer received the call from his GP while at a swearing-in ceremony in Townsville.
He later told colleagues he feared "he had very little time left".
By September, he had resumed full duties after undergoing "highly effective" treatment, committed to finishing the work he started.
Mr Gollschewski urged others in his position to never give up hope.
"With the advances in modern medicine, a determined fight, and the right team behind you, some cancers can be beaten," he said.
Career comes to an end
Mr Gollschewski announced his retirement in February 2026, bringing an end to a 46-year career with the Queensland Police Service. Only two people served on the frontline for longer.
"My lofty ambition when I left the academy was to be a detective sergeant, I nailed that — everything else has kind of been an accident," he said in an at-times emotional press conference.
He said he was confident the QPS was "heading in the right direction" and it was time to step aside to focus on his health and family.
Mr Gollschewski saved his final words as commissioner for his frontline officers.
"Irrespective of your role, you're out there every day keeping our community safe … making a difference for Queensland," he said.
"It has been a privilege to be your commissioner."
He is survived by his wife and five children.
