Alexander Riley joined the New South Wales police force as a tracker on the 11th of June 1911. His skill was extraordinary and over his impressive career he saved and protected the lives of many. In 1941, Alexander Riley was promoted to sergeant and was the first Indigenous person to gain that rank in the New South Wales Police Force.
He was officially commended for finding another missing person in April 1942 and awarded the King's Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service in January 1943. He lived all his working life at Talbragar Aboriginal Reserve. He retired in 1950 and was survived by five sons and three daughters.
Riley's grandson, Michael Riley, made a documentary about him in 1996 called Blacktracker which was screened by the ABC in 1997.
Source : ADB Online (Sighted 08/04/2009)
