Amy Scott was hailed a hero after the Bondi Junction attack. She's just been diagnosed with cancer.

When the April 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction tragedy unfolded, NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott was the first police officer on the scene.

Scott bravely put her life on the line to confront the knifeman, Joel Cauchi, and bring an end to the stabbing attack, which claimed six lives and left 10 more injured.

Now, the community is doing its part to support her, after the police force shared that she has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.

Police Legacy NSW, the NSW Police Force's charity, described Scott as a "beautiful friend and colleague" who was always the first to champion others.

"Amy is widely known as selfless, compassionate, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She is every bit the remarkable human you would think."

The charity set up a fundraiser to support Scott's family as she faces a "long uphill battle".

"Amy now needs the strength, compassion, and support of her community," it said.

"This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human."

The inspector was the first police officer on the scene. Image: AAP.

A 'bona fide Australian hero'.

Scott was labelled a hero for her response to the April 2024 stabbing and recognised with the Commissioner's Valour Award.

At a coronial inquest last year, Scott detailed the panicked scene that greeted her at Westfield.

Shoppers streamed out of the complex, screaming for help.

"People started saying to me … 'He's killing people, you've got to help us, please get in there'," she said.

"I actually felt nauseous as I ran in. Because in my head, I resigned myself to the fact I was probably going to die."

She tracked Cauchi to the fifth floor and told him to put down his knife. He refused.

With Cauchi moving towards her, Scott was forced to fire her gun.

One shot. Then another. A third hit a pot plant.

In just 85 seconds, it was over.

Scott, left, has been praised as an Australian hero. Image: NSW Police Legacy.

In the aftermath, Scott was humble and credited her colleagues for their bravery during the incident.

"Whilst I was the person who faced Joel, those same officers [went in too] … I just want to acknowledge their courage and bravery," she told the inquest.

"As tragic as that day was, it restored my faith in humanity."

On Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns praised that bravery once again, saying he was "devastated" by the diagnosis.

"She is a genuine, bona fide Australian hero and someone we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction a couple of years ago, but also she has been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the [Bondi Beach] terrorism event on the 14th of December," he said.

"If anyone deserves a break, it's Amy, and we just wish her the very best. She's an absolute champion."

Support Amy Scott's family at the fundraiser here.

Feature image: NSW Police Legacy.