Death of former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski at 67 after cancer battle
Consensus Summary
Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski died in Brisbane on September 2026 at age 67, months after retiring due to a battle with stage four lung cancer diagnosed in February 2025. A career officer since 1980, Gollschewski served as Queensland’s 21st commissioner from April 2024 until his retirement in early 2026, leaving behind a legacy of leadership during crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, major floods, cyclones, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Despite a grueling 18-month cancer journey, he returned to work in September 2025 after treatment before stepping down to prioritize health. His family described him as a determined leader who gave his all to policing, family, and hockey, while colleagues and officials praised his strategic vision, integrity, and contributions to community safety. Gollschewski was honored with the Australian Police Medal, the Order of Australia, and the King’s Birthday Honours for his service. His death leaves a void in Queensland’s policing history, with tributes highlighting his role in reforming the service amid challenges like rising demand, workforce instability, and public safety concerns.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Steve Gollschewski died on Friday morning (September 2026) in Brisbane at age 67
- Gollschewski was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early 2025 (February 2025) and took six months of leave for treatment
- He returned to work in September 2025 after treatment, announcing retirement in February 2026 to focus on health
- Gollschewski served as Queensland’s 21st police commissioner from April 2024 until his retirement in early 2026
- He had a 46-year career with the Queensland Police Service, joining in 1980
- Gollschewski was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2010 and named in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for distinguished service
- He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in August 2026 for service to law enforcement and disaster management
- Gollschewski led security for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and was a key commander for the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane
- He served as Queensland’s disaster coordinator during major floods (2011, 2012), cyclones (Oswald, Ita, Marcia, Nathan, Debbie), and bushfires (2019 Peregian Beach)
- Gollschewski was a non-smoker and his cancer had spread to his bones and other organs by February 2025
- He was survived by his wife Rebecca, six children, and four grandchildren
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Gollschewski’s family stated he faced a 'sudden and cruel complication' after an 18-month cancer journey
- He warned about the 'rapidly growing toll of deaths and injuries linked to e-scooters and e-bikes' as a major public safety challenge
- Gollschewski noted a fall in crime victim numbers, misconduct complaints, and officer attrition during his tenure
- He launched a sweeping review of the Queensland Police Service in 2024 due to 'mission creep,' workforce morale issues, and resource pressures
- Gollschewski was the third longest-serving senior executive in QPS history
- Premier David Crisafulli highlighted Gollschewski’s leadership during 'some of the state’s most difficult challenges,' including natural disasters and COVID-19
- Opposition Leader Steven Miles thanked Gollschewski for his 'advice, effort, support, and friendship' over many years
- Police Minister Dan Purdie described Gollschewski as 'instrumental and relentless' in reforming the QPS
- Gollschewski was the third longest-serving police officer in QPS history (46 years)
- He was known as a 'strategic and visionary leader' with 'courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to community safety'
- The QPS described his contribution as defined by 'principled leadership, integrity, and enduring dedication'
- Gollschewski was born into a policing family and joined the Queensland Police Force in 1980
- He was appointed state disaster coordinator and led responses to the 2011 Toowoomba floods, 2012 St George evacuations, and 2022 southern Queensland floods
- He oversaw COVID-19 border closures, airport security, and hotel quarantine operations in 2020–2021
- Gollschewski was known among colleagues as 'Mr Fix It' and implemented significant domestic violence policing reforms
- He received his cancer diagnosis during a swearing-in ceremony in Townsville in February 2025 and feared 'he had very little time left'
- Gollschewski urged others in his position to 'never give up hope' regarding cancer treatment
- He described his initial ambition as becoming a detective sergeant, calling the rest of his career 'an accident'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Age and 7NEWS state Gollschewski retired in February 2026, while ABC states he retired in 'early 2026' without specifying February
- The Age and ABC mention Gollschewski’s cancer spread to his 'bones and other organs,' while ABC also specifies it spread to his 'liver and brain,' which is not mentioned in the other sources
- The Age and 7NEWS say Gollschewski served as deputy commissioner for 'more than 10 years,' while ABC does not specify the duration of his deputy role
Source Articles
Former police commissioner Steve Gollschewski dies, months after retirement
The Queensland Police Service is mourning the former commissioner, who died from cancer shortly after concluding a 46-year policing career.
Former Queensland Police commissioner Steve Gollschewski dies, aged 67, months after retiring amid cancer battle
He passed away only months after retiring from the top job amid a public and painful battle with cancer.
Queensland's former top cop Steve Gollschewski dies aged 67
The career cop was Queensland's most experienced officer, serving more than four decades on the frontline and leading the response to several major natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
More Crime stories
Queensland farmer Darryl Young convicted of triple murder and attempted murder at Bogie cattle station
Sentencing hearing for Molly Ticehurst's murderer Daniel Billings in NSW Supreme Court
Alan Jones on trial for 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching against six men
Death of 16-year-old Sydney girl linked to suspected sexual choking; investigation and public health concerns
Newborn baby found dead in rubbish bin in Sydney’s Auburn; police search for mother
Methylamphetamine found hidden in McMuffin during WA police traffic stop
Latest cross-verified stories
Australia's record-breaking warm winter and early spring heatwave in 2026
North Melbourne sacks Alastair Clarkson with one year left on contract
Jai Arrow's emotional return for South Sydney's 100th NRL game milestone
Catastrophic Nepal-Tibet floods leave hundreds dead, thousands missing, including Australians
One Nation wins Secret Harbour WA by-election, signaling political shift in Australia
Alex de Minaur's early US Open exit and Dane Sweeny's upset win
Browse all stories from September 2026 in the archive.