JUST MONTHS AFTER RETIRING..! — FORMER QUEENSLAND POLICE COMMISSIONER STEVE GOLLSCHEWSKI D-IES AT 67 FOLLOWING A PUBLIC AND PAINFUL CANCER BATTLE…
He passed away only months after retiring from the top job amid a public and painful battle with cancer.
Former Queensland Police commissioner Steve Gollschewski has died, months after retiring from the top job amid a public and painful fight against cancer.
Gollschewski, 67, stepped down in February after 46 years with the Queensland Police Service (QPS), saying he wanted to focus on his health and family.
“Our darling Steve passed away this morning surrounded by the love and admiration of his family after facing a sudden and cruel complication on his 18-month cancer journey,” his family said on Friday.
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“Steve approached his diagnosis and treatment with resolute determination.
“As with so many facets of Steve’s life, especially his family, his long policing career and beloved hockey team, he gave it his all and did his very best.”
The top cop had returned to work in September 2025 after taking six months leave to undergo treatment following an unexpected stage four cancer diagnosis.
At the time, he said treatment had been highly effective and he was determined to return to the job.
Gollschewski joined the then Queensland Police Force in 1980 and built a career across organised crime, intelligence, anti-corruption and counterterrorism before being appointed commissioner in 2024.
His 46 years of service made him the third longest-serving police officer in QPS history.
But it was as the stoic face of Queensland’s COVID response frontline that Gollschewski gained wider recognition on the national stage.
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Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing paid tribute to Gollschewski as a “strategic and visionary leader”, respected for his courage, professionalism and unwavering commitment to community safety.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Steve was a remarkable strategist and contemporary leader, disciplined in his thinking, measured in his decisions and guided by deeply held personal values,” Pointing said.
He said Gollschewski was admired for his “judgement, foresight and deep understanding of policing”, with his impact to continue to be felt across Queensland, nationally and internationally for years to come.
“He will be remembered as an exceptional leader who used insight and innovation to strengthen the organisation and help keep the community safe,” Pointing said.
“Steve’s legacy of service, courage, integrity and dedication will be remembered with great respect and gratitude by the many people and communities influenced by him.”
Premier David Crisafulli said Queenslanders would be deeply saddened by Gollschewski’s passing, paying tribute to a man who had devoted his life to the police service.
“Queenslanders will remember his exemplary leadership, during some of the state’s most difficult challenges,” Crisafulli said.
“He spent more than four decades serving with remarkable dedication and integrity, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding contribution to policing and community safety.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said Gollschewski would be remembered as one of Australia’s most respected police leaders, as well as a colleague, friend and mentor to many.
Purdie said Gollschewski had been “instrumental and relentless” in his pursuit to reform the QPS and make Queensland safer.
He extended his condolences to Gollschewski’s wife Rebecca and his children.
The QPS said Gollschewski had made an extraordinary contribution to policing, defined by “principled leadership, integrity and enduring dedication”.
