Hedland stabbing victim and security guard to receive bravery award at King’s Birthday Honours List ceremony

Two men who intervened during the 2020 stabbing incident in South Hedland have received bravery awards at the King’s Birthday Honours List ceremony in Perth.

Connor Herwig and Clifford Hagart tried to stop Ashley Fildes during his stabbing spree even though it put them at risk.

Mr Herwig, 19 at the time of the stabbing, was stabbed in the neck by FIFO worker Fildes while in his car.

After being stabbed, he reclined over the centre console of his car and kicked out through the open door in an effort to fend off 34-year-old Fildes, who also slashed his ankle.

As Fildes approached a nearby couple, Mr Herwig shouted a warning to draw Fildes attention and threw a coffee to distract him.

Mr Herwig was later driven to hospital for his injuries.

Mr Hagart was a security guard at South Hedland shopping centre at the time of the incident.

He sprang into action, attempting to tackle Fildes after he saw Fildes trying to stab a female police officer as he pushed her to the ground.

Although his tackle did not meet its mark, the attempt gave time to another officer present to react. Fildes was then shot by the other officer three times and later died from his injuries.

Seven people were injured by Mr Fildes during the incident.

Speaking to The West Australian in March, Mr Hagart said the incident still played on his mind five years later.

“From a personal point of view, I guess the main thing I had to deal with was that I felt that my attempt to subdue the attacker failed,” he said.

“I got knocked on my arse and I sort of feel that I was his last chance at survival.

“Because, once I hit the ground and he charged at the police again with that knife, there were no other options other than to use lethal force.

“I don’t know what you’d call it, but because he (Mr Fildes) was in high-vis, if I spotted someone in high-vis, your body just automatically sort of goes into high alert,” he said.

He said he was honoured to receive the award.

“I’ve been in the security industry for 30 years. I had my own company for 25 years and what’s generally well-known in the industry is that security officers — daily — deal with potentially life-threatening situations.

“You don’t very often get recognised for that as first responders. Especially in shopping-centre scenarios, you’re often the first responder, so a lot of it goes unrecognised.”

Mr Herwig and Mr Hagart are two of 74 others from the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List to be presented with an award at a ceremony at the Government House Ballroom in Perth on September 25.