Detective pays tribute to his slain bikie brother: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 28 Apr 2006: 3.
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Choking back tears, NSW detective Brad Monk paid tribute to one of Australia's most feared bikies, his brother Rodney "Hooks" Monk, head of Sydney's downtown chapter of the Bandidos.
Monk, 31, was killed last Thursday night in an alley in East Sydney, allegedly by a fellow gang member as part of a vicious power struggle within the group. Theonly suspect, former Bandido's sergeant-at-arms Russell Oldham, has been missing ever since. The Bandidos are known as a law unto themselves and a police source told The Australian yesterday that Oldham may already have been killed in revenge.
In an emotional eulogy at St Gerard's church in the northwest Sydney suburb of Carlingford yesterday, Detective Inspector Monk said Rodney had to quickly toughen up as a kid, with two older brothers constantly "kicking at his ankles".
THE bond of brotherhood was on display in Sydney yesterday after the lives of two men, one a bikie and the other a distinguished police officer, collided.
Choking back tears, NSW detective Brad Monk paid tribute to one of Australia's most feared bikies, his brother Rodney "Hooks" Monk, head of Sydney's downtown chapter of the Bandidos.
Monk, 31, was killed last Thursday night in an alley in East Sydney, allegedly by a fellow gang member as part of a vicious power struggle within the group. Theonly suspect, former Bandido's sergeant-at-arms Russell Oldham, has been missing ever since. The Bandidos are known as a law unto themselves and a police source told The Australian yesterday that Oldham may already have been killed in revenge.
In an emotional eulogy at St Gerard's church in the northwest Sydney suburb of Carlingford yesterday, Detective Inspector Monk said Rodney had to quickly toughen up as a kid, with two older brothers constantly "kicking at his ankles".
Rodney had grown up loving his sport, he said, becoming a fearless rugby league player where he had picked up the nickname "Hooks".
He said Rodney had developed his first taste of the good life when he used to play hooky from school and eat sweets at a mate's place.
"It didn't take long to shed those little rolls," he said. "He had a great sense of humour. I will never forget his laugh."
Inspector Monk spoke after more than 500 bikies and friends filed past the coffin, some coming from the Bandidos' international chapters, many with tears in their eyes. Large, rough, men in full bikie regalia embraced each other at the loss of a member considered bikie royalty.
After the service, a troop of more than 150 souped-up bikes led the procession to the Castle Hill Cemetery, with Monk's coffin nestled on a side car and draped with red and yellow roses, the colours of the Bandidos.
Despite the tears and portrayal of Monk as a loyal gang member, he was named as a cocaine "broker" in the NSW Crime Commission last year.
A drug dealer turned informer known as "Tom" fingered Monk as someone who would provide him customers that bought up to a kilogram of cocaine at a time.
"They would pay me and I would pay him a $5000 commission on a kilo or $2500 on a half-kilo," Tom told the commission at the time.
The evidence presented to the commission has since been disputed by Bandidos members, who deny Monk would be involved in drugs.
In her eulogy yesterday, Rodney's girlfriend of several years, Stephanie Roman, said the pair had talked of having children.
"He was the centre of my world," she told the church service.
"He was a true gentleman and a born leader. All the good times we had I will never forget, his friends, his brothers, I will miss him so much. He was truly unique. He loved the fine things in life and would never accept second-best. He loved his people. I will be ever thankful I have known such an amazing person."
Father Colin Blayney, who conducted the service, said Rodney Monk was a big-hearted, generous person "beloved by family and friends".
He said everyone was reminded of the darkness in life, particularly because of his "sudden and violent death".
Dave Hanson from the God Squad said Rodney had loved life and lived it to the full.
Also pu blished on news.com.au as Cop farewells bikie brother.
Also pu blished on news.com.au as Cop farewells bikie brother.
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