Sydney stabbing: Detective recovering after emergency surgery

Detective Sergeant John Breda is recovering in hospital after he was twice stabbed by an alleged child sex offender he was attempting to arrest at a Sydney pub.

The 45-year-old officer's condition has improved from critical to "serious but stable" following underwent emergency surgery at St Vincent's Hospital.

He remains in intensive care, with his wife Kim and colleagues at his bedside.

Detective Sergeant John Breda has been described as a "well regarded" senior officer.

Dt. Sgt Breda was stabbed in the chest and abdomen in the beer garden of the busy Maroubra Junction Hotel on Australia Day afternoon.

The man who stabbed him, Nick Newman, was shot by two other police officers and died at the scene.

Newman, 33, was wanted over alleged child sex offences, police have said.

Nick Newman was shot dead.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton yesterday described Dt. Sgt Breda as a "senior officer" who was "very well regarded by his peers".

"I know there will be a lot of people very concerned about his condition," he said.

The two other officers involved were "traumatised", Asst Comm. Walton said.

The detective sergeant had almost paid "that ultimate sacrifice" for doing his job, Police Association of NSW President Scott Weber said.

"We had three police officers who went out there to keep New South Wales safe and one of them was severely injured," he said.

The Homicide Squad has launched an investigation into the Maroubra stabbing and shooting.

The 45-year-old officer's condition was downgraded from critical to serious.

"Let's make sure that every single person in NSW has thoughts and prayers tonight for those officers but especially the officer that is in hospital that’s fighting for his life.

"Every day we go out on the street to protect the people of NSW we realise that we may not be coming home."

Dt. Sgt Breda is a member of the Sex Crimes Squad, and visited the pub after police on Thursday issued a public alert about an arrest warrant for Newman.

"The detectives approached the 33-year-old suspect in the beer garden of the hotel and whilst arresting the male, a 45-year-old detective sergeant was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by the offender," Asst Comm. Walton said.

Detective Sergeant John Breda underwent emergency surgery.

"The two other detectives have both discharged their firearms and stopped the offender, who has fallen to the ground."

A massive response from emergency services ensued, with police, ambulance and a rescue helicopter rushing to the scene.

Anzac Parade was blocked and the surrounding buildings evacuated as police cordoned off the scene, and Maroubra Road was partly closed during a search for evidence.

The Homicide Squad has launched a critical incident investigation into the stabbing and subsequent shooting.

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