Letter from a Police Sergeant

[Some background is necessary for this. Mr Ellie Ross, a former student of Yeshivah College, was R"L murdered in 1999. My recollection is that he was first noticed missing when he did not come to a Passover Seder to which he had been invited at Rabbi Groner's. There was a police investigation, and Rabbi Groner was, of course, involved. This letter says it all. The writer of this letter, Detective Sergeant Hynd is/was stationed in the country police station where Ellie's body was found. Ralph Zwier]

Dear ....

I hope that you recall our brief acquaintance. We met a couple of times over the murder of your good friend Elijah ROSS in 1999 at which time I was a member of the Homicide Squad. I write to you as a result of reading of the death of Rabbi GRONER in the Herald Sun.

I recall with some meaning the time that I met both you and Rabbi GRONER. I recall then thinking (in ignorance) that it was mildly annoying that decisions could not be made without first consulting with Rabbi GRONER. It was not until I met him that I had a glimmer of reasoning as to why this was necessary. The man had a presence of intellect that I cannot isolate to this day except to say that he had a profound impact upon me, he made me think that I would be very lucky if I had such a man taking responsibility for guidance in my life or decisions following my death (such as was the case for Mr ROSS). I probably spent less than one hour in his presence but I never had to truly know him to know that he was a man worthy of great respect, a man that had done much with his life and a man that knew much of the world. He once did me honour by inviting me to the funeral of Mr ROSS at which time I gained a valuable insight into Jewish ways. I benefited greatly from the experience. I'm sure Rabbi GRONER knew this at the time of his invitation as I am sure it was his motivation, such was his understanding of human nature and of his role as teacher.

I simply wish to pass on to you my sincere condolences for the passing of a man of peace who had done much for the community, for the Jewish faith and whose memory warrants reverence and respect. Please pass on my sympathy to his family and to those whose lives he touched.

Yours sincerely,

Gordon A. HYND
Det Sergeant 22792
Victoria Police