One of the unsung heroes of the Cleo Smith investigation in Western Australia's north west has received a top honour in recognition of his police service.
Geraldton police officer Jon Munday oversaw the 2021 search for the four-year-old, who was found 18 days after being abducted from a Carnarvon campsite.
Inspector Munday has been awarded an Australian Police Medal as part of the Australia Day Honours.
He has spent most of his 34 years with WA Police in the bush but has also been involved in some of the state's most high-profile cases in and around Perth.
During his time as a cold case detective, Inspector Munday helped the team of investigators trying to piece together the murder of Rockingham boy Gerard Ross.
He also played a role in bringing Claremont killer Bradley Edwards to justice over the murder of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon.
Inspector Munday last year headed the operation aimed at combating youth violence in the Kimberley, implementing new policies and procedures that helped to arrest a large number of high-harm offenders.
Abduction case
But perhaps the most memorable moment of his career to date was the rescue of Cleo Smith, who was found in kidnapper Terence Kelly's Carnarvon home after she went missing from her family's tent.
"I got woken up by my previous superintendent Roger Beer … and he said, 'We've found Cleo'," Inspector Munday said.
"I didn't believe it and I actually rang him back about 10 minutes later and said, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming, did you say she's been found alive?"
"It was not a resolution I was expecting as the hours turned into days and days turned into weeks."
Inspector Munday was one of the first officers on the ground when Cleo disappeared, leading the critical early stages of the investigation.
He said the first 24 hours of the operation were challenging.
"People were supplying helicopters, industry around Karratha were supplying food, fuel and water, so it was a really busy 12 to 24 hours," he said.
"After that, we got into a bit of a rhythm and things started to move forward a lot more smoothly."
Content with all he had achieved in his career, Inspector Munday said it was "humbling" to be awarded the Australian Police Medal.
"I'm a police officer to serve the community and just face whatever needs to be faced on a day to day basis," he said.
"I love the working in a small community and actually being able to make a difference and see the difference you're making, rather than being part of the machinery of law enforcement in the metro areas.
"It's been a really rewarding career.
"I love doing it and will continue to do it."
