Debut True Crime
memoir
Embark on a gripping adventure with Mark 'Trigger' Tregellas in Backup is Three Hours Away, a true crime memoir chronicling nearly three decades of policing Victoria's remote coastal region. Trigger never knew what each shift would bring – tragedy, laughter, adventure, danger – sometimes all on the same day.
For anyone who has dreamt about going on a cop ‘ride-along’ to see what really happens on a shift – this book is for you! Thirty years of policing in some of the most remote and inhospitable areas in Australia condensed into 61 bite sized chapters ...
Traumatic, dramatic, suspenseful, at times farcical ... then there are the multiple bravery awards!
There is a thin line that separates bravery from recklessness when risking your life to save others. But when you are trained, dedicated, intelligent and resourceful, members of the Thin Blue Line are ready, willing and able to take those calculated risks. Mark ‘Trigger’ Tregellas has faced the demons and lived to tell the tale!
Richard Rolfe AM
Vice Patron – Australian Bravery Association
I loved it ... a remarkable career that had, well pretty much everything, but in short sharp chapters which made for a really easy read ... Trig doesn’t hold back on the experiences though, the hard jobs, the tragic, the tough and the traumatic are all there for the reader to experience, coupled in with a fair number of humorous jobs to balance it out ... Even though I have 28 years of policing under my belt, I felt that a person who has never experienced the roller coaster that is policing, would be able to get an appreciation of what it is like. You certainly get a sense of Trig’s emotions, his battles, his wins and his life as a country copper.
Mark Thomas
Founder and President Code9 Foundation
What can I say? For those readers who are not privy to the world of law enforcement, or the military, and have not experienced remote area communities, at first glance these stories would appear to be an utter fairytale. For we who have experienced both worlds, the incidents and personal interactions that Trigger portrays are very real.
Trigger has an inimitable style of storytelling. He has managed to weave the macabre, terrifying, dangerous, ridiculous and downright idiotic occurrences into a collection of independent yet connected accounts of the remote area policeman’s lot.
Had he not the well-honed ability to think on his feet, there would have been a different end to this book. Such was the danger faced by Trigger and many other police and emergency first responders worldwide ... I would have Trigger stand beside me anytime.
Grant Coultman-Smith OAM VA BJ JP
Victorian President – Australasian Institute of Emergency Services
Deputy Chair – The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation
Sergeant of Police (Retired), Warrant Officer Class 2 (Retired)
Chapter 59
“I look up and see the next set of waves coming in. I hold on as it hits the yacht, which lifts about a metre and smashes the rudder. The lower bolt connecting the rudder to the catamaran now snaps off, causing the rudder to pitch horizontally. I lose my footing and fall. I’m hanging off the back of the yacht, holding onto the wires. My pack is still on, weighing me down.”
Chapter 28
“So, still dressed in pyjamas, I jump in my Mitsubishi Magna sedan. Then I drive around the corner to the pub. As I enter the car park, my headlights show me three large men standing over a girl lying face down on the ground. As my lights illuminate her, she reaches up with one hand. Blood’s streaming down her face, and she yells out ‘Help!’ then collapses back to the ground. I stop the car and get out. All three offenders now start walking towards me. One’s about 186 cm, bare-chested, bald, with a Nazi swastika tattooed on his left breast.”
About Mark
Trigger’s personal journey, fuelled by a thirst for adventure and special forces training, led him to the frontline of policing. He faced life-threatening situations and earned commendation for his exceptional and courageous service, recognition that came at a personal cost. Through Trigger’s career he sustained severe injuries, including a broken spine, a gunshot wound to the face and PTSD.
Trigger delves into encounters with peril, unexpected twists, and heartbreaking moments, shedding light on the motivations that drive officers to willingly confront the unknown. Despite the physical and mental toll, his story is one of triumph, showcasing a resilient mindset honed through exhaustive training and the overcoming of life’s challenges, including a brush with cancer.
Backup is Three Hours Away is a genuine portrayal of policing, from the unpredictable and unexpected moments, to heart-wrenching tragedy. Trigger’s narrative transcends the typical law enforcement tale, revealing indomitable human spirit and resilience – a powerful and inspirational testament to the highs and lows of a career dedicated to service.
