Slain SA Police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig has been remembered as kind, caring and a “much loved” member of his community, in a public funeral at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Key points:
- Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was fatally shot in SA’s south-east last month
- A police funeral honouring his life was held at Adelaide’s Convention Centre
- SA Premier Peter Malinauskas says it is important to acknowledge Brevet Sergeant Doig’s “extraordinary sacrifice”
Brevet Sergeant Doig, who was fatally shot during a call-out to a property in South Australia’s south-east just over a fortnight ago, has been mourned across the state, with tributes also paid at federal level.
His brother Brett said his family had felt Brevet Sergeant Doig’s care, love and thoughtfulness continue on from his colleagues at SA Police in the wake of his death.
“Not done yet… at 53, Jason was not done yet,” he said.
“Jason has been robbed of his future, we all feel robbed of Jason’s future.”
Mr Doig said his brother gave his “knowledge and his time freely, without any expectations”.
“We have been very blessed to have been brought along with him on his ride,” he said.
The funeral was widely attended by friends, family members, dignitaries and police colleagues, including Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.
A public service was held for Commissioner Stevens’s son Charlie last week after he was killed in an alleged hit-and-run at a Schoolies event last month.
Other dignitaries included South Australian Governor Frances Adamson, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader David Speirs.
Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams delivered a eulogy on behalf of SA Police.
“Jason was regarded by many as the quintessential bloke, who embodied what it means to be a country police officer,” she said.
“The loss of a police officer naturally leads to an outpouring of grief. This is heightened when that police officer is the bedrock of their community.”
Acting Commissioner Williams said Brevet Sergeant Doig earned himself the nickname ‘Biggles’ early on in his career, as he enjoyed talking about flying and had “applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force before embarking on his police journey”.
Superintendent Campbell Hill said Brevet Sergeant Doig also served in the Royal Australian Navy reserve as a diver from 1995 to 1998.
“Jason regaled everyone he came into contact to with tales of his exploits in the air, sea, or land, he was a bit of a one-man special operations team,” he said.
“He tried to do the best he could for everyone.”
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Representatives of the Limestone Coast area, where Brevet Sergeant Doig served last, and his course mates were some of the first invited to form a guard of honour after the service.
Police and the public joined to line the streets.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said while the event was intended to commemorate the life of an officer killed in the line of duty, it would also provide an opportunity to acknowledge the risks taken by those who “put themselves in harm’s way” to protect the community.
“This is an important memorial service — South Australians haven’t seen a member of our police force lose their life in the line of duty for decades,” he said.
“No-one’s immune from tragedy in their lives, but that’s particularly true for people who put themselves in harm’s way in the name of our safety.
“When a loss of life like this happens, it is tragic, and it should be acknowledged as an extraordinary sacrifice.”
Condolence books have been made available at police stations around the state.
Brevet Sergeant Doig’s death caused widespread grief and shock, and occurred hours before the alleged hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of Charlie Stevens.
“It has been a traumatic period for South Australian police,” Mr Malinauskas said.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder over the shootings of Brevet Sergeant Doig and Sergeant Michael Hutchinson, who was also shot but survived the incident.
A third officer, Constable Rebekah Cass, also attended and rendered assistance to the injured officers and to the suspect, who was shot by police.
“There are over 4,000 men and women who put the uniform on every day, and by doing that they put themselves in harm’s way, and they do it for our safety, they do it for the common good,” said the premier.
“They are resilient, they are proud, and it’s important that they can look to the rest of the state for their support knowing that we’ve got their backs and my word we do.”
The SA Government announced it would donate $100,000 to Women’s Safety Services SA (WSSSA) in honour of Brevet Sergeant Doig.
His family has requested mourners consider making a donation to WSSSA in his memory, in lieu of flowers.
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