Without the slightest idea of what they were on about, Blackburn found himself paraded in front of the media – the reports with his picture going nationally and even overseas. Without so much as a court appearance, he was branded a serial offender who had hidden for years behind his police badge. Now he was being undone by fearless police, unafraid to deal with their own.

On the day of the arrest – July 24, 1989 – the then Assistant Police Commissioner, Tony Lauer, said: “This operation has demonstrated that the NSW Police Service is more than capable of handling an extensive and highly sensitive inquiry.”

Blackburn found himself in a cell at the NSW Police Centre. Elsewhere, a police officer reportedly said: “We should slip a gun into his cell and let him blow his brains out and save the government a great deal of time and money.”

Blackburn began duties as a superintendent’s clerk in Goulburn, then joined the Scientific Investigation Service, where he worked for 19 years, playing rugby union for the Goulburn Waratahs. He married Norma, with whom he had children, Tracy and John. In 1970, he moved to Rockdale as a detective sergeant, followed by postings to Parramatta and Katoomba.

His marriage ended in divorce, and he married Ada. This marriage also ended in divorce. He moved on professionally and went back to police scientific work as an inspector. In 1982 he met Lyn Foster, 22 years his junior, who was a civilian employee in the NSW Police Department.

In 1985, he was promoted to superintendent and put in charge of the Physical Evidence Section, requiring him among other things to handle gun amnesties announced by the government. He was also awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In 1987 he married Lyn.

But unknown to Blackburn, there were storm clouds gathering. There had been some savage rapes and robberies over the years, the offender usually wearing a mask and sneaking up to couples cuddling up in cars at night in lover’s lane trysts.

The first series had started in October 1969 and continued until August 1970. The second, known as the “Sutherland” series, lasted from August to December 1985. Police had obtained descriptions of one of the assailants. One happened to vaguely represent Blackburn, who then became the subject of covert police attention.

On July 14, 1988, the couple were blessed by a daughter, Holly. Blackburn retired in November that year and went to work with the War Crimes Commission. On July 24, 1989, when Lyn was three months pregnant with their second child, police swooped, and the family’s whole world was turned upside down.

The charges were laid, and Blackburn was granted bail. On August 6, Lyn had her miscarriage. On October 6, he and his wife were informed that all charges had been withdrawn. Blackburn decided not to resume with the War Crimes Commission. “The wind had been knocked out of his sails,” Lyn said.

The royal commission was held under Justice Lee, Chester Porter QC as counsel assisting, and Blackburn being ably represented by Kevin Murray QC, with Steirn as his junior. The deficiencies in the investigation soon came to light.

In December that year, Maureen, wife of Blackburn’s son, John, suffered a miscarriage. The family decided not to tell Harry just then. In April 1990, Blackburn complained that four departmental charges had been laid against him, including such things as misuse of petrol and an incident where he had thrown a jug of water over somebody, Blackburn being known to be occasionally temperamental.

He said the charges were just an attempt to discredit him, and they went nowhere. On June 29, 1990, Justice Lee handed down his report. In July, Blackburn launched proceedings against the NSW government for wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation, seeking unspecified damages.

His experience had given him a new perspective on justice, how prone the system was to misbehaviour. He was to give evidence that while sitting in his cell at the police centre on July 25, 1989, he had overheard a detective telling a prisoner that if he did not plead guilty to nine charges, he would charge him with another four.

Blackburn with his wife and child retired to Robina on the Gold Coast, and in November 1990 Blackburn got his licence as a private inquiry agent, putting a picture of a hat as his motif on his business card.

His litigation continued, a psychiatrist diagnosing him with “reactive depression”. The position of Inspector-General of the NSW Police Force was created and filled by a Canadian, Don Wilson, whose task was to “clean-up” management of the NSW Police Force, which Justice Lee had described as “lamentable”.

There would never be another bungle like Blackburn, Wilson said. The NSW government settled with Blackburn in November 1991; the agreement ratified in the Supreme Court. Blackburn, with substantial damages in his favour, did do some minor investigate work. Otherwise, he contented himself with golf, normally six days a week, looked after his wife and daughter Holly, and jogged along the beach.

Lyn went back to study and became a child psychologist. Holly did a Bachelor of International Business degree and went to work in the tertiary sector. Harry Blackburn celebrated his 93rd birthday in April, and was in good spirits’, his wife said, but then there was a sudden downturn over the following two weeks.

He died on May 9. He is survived by his widow; his three children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is to be held on the Gold Coast at a time to be fixed.