‘You saved my life, Dad’
officer. Palmerston North’s courthouse closed on Wednesday so staff could attend the funeral, with a large police presence also visible at the farewell of the long-serving prosecutor at the Lychway Chapel in the city.
The service started at 1.30pm and before that police lined the chapel’s entrance as music from James Blunt played.
Toon’s son Joel spoke about his dad’s love for sport.
Speaking about his dad’s marriage to his mother, Vicki, Joel Toon said it was a great example for him and his sister.
‘‘They showed Kelly and I what love really was.’’
As a father he also set a good example, doing everything a ‘good Kiwi father’ would.
Joel Toon said his dad had ‘‘so much more life to live’’.
‘‘He was saving his daughter, someone whom he loved so dearly, someone he would do anything for.
‘‘Everyone says to me how unbelievable it is.
‘‘When you think about the man he was, it’s no surprise [he] would pass away this way.’’
He said his father had given Kelly the greatest gift of all, the chance to go on and start her own family.
Inspector Anthony Reilly, central region police prosecution service manager, said Toon was one of the first people to put his hand up to help after the Christchurch earthquake.
‘‘He worked long days, mostly in the inner cordon, which was a pretty dangerous place to be.’’
Sergeant Stu Oram, who worked in the police prosecution team, said ‘‘Toony’’ was the life and soul of the office.
Oram got to know Toon better when they started going to the gym together. ‘‘That’s when I really knew he had accepted me as one of his close mates.’’
He said Toon had an impact on everyone he met and last Thursday a husband, a father and a friend died. ‘‘But he died helping to free one of the most important people in his life.’’
Dave Grey, who worked in police prosecution services with Toon, said you could hear him long before you saw him.
‘‘His personality would take up most of the office.’’
Dion Jensen, who used to work with Toon, said two words summed up the situation. ‘‘We’re gutted.’’
Terry Johns, a friend, described Toon as the ultimate family man, not just in his words, but also through his actions.
Don’t Let Go, by James Arthur, was played to the service. The song was dedicated to her husband by Vicki Toon.
Brothers in Arms, by Dire Straits, was also played, dedicated to Toon’s police family.
As the 90-minute funeral service finished, police officers and police dogs formed a guard of honour as Toon’s body was carried to the hearse.
AC/DC’S Thunderstruck played loudly from the funeral home.
The New Zealand flag was flown at half mast at the Church St Palmerston North police station from early on Wednesday morning.