A minute’s silence for fallen comrade
Police across the country held a minute’s silence at 10.37am yesterday in honour of Constable Matthew Hunt, who was shot and killed last week in Auckland.
The minute marked exactly one week since Hunt, 28, was gunned down during a routine traffic stop in West Auckland, in an incident which left another officer and a member of the public injured.
Districts around the country chose to mark the moment in different ways, with small gatherings, wreath laying and flags flying at half-mast.
Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha, along with a small group, paid tribute at a flagpole at the Police National Headquarters in Wellington.
Haumaha said the organisation was hurting. ‘‘All of Matt’s colleague’s have taken this pretty hard. When we lose a member of our family, everyone feels that deep loss.’’
A wreath was also laid at the Memorial Wall at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.
Outside the Henderson police station, hundreds of flowers and handwritten messages could be seen from the community thanking Hunt for his work.
Fellow police officer Patrick Nofo’akifolau sang an emotional version of Hallelujah to end the minute’s silence, the chorus sung in both English and te reo Ma¯ ori. A local, who lived across the street from the Henderson station, said it was important for her to be part of the ceremony. ‘‘I feel like he was one of my sons, my family. This wasn’t just a loss felt by the police and his family, but all of us and we wanted to pay our respects.’’
Waitemata¯ District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan had earlier paid tribute to the fallen officer.
Hassan was emotional as she said the force had been supporting the family, and police were ‘‘absolutely devastated at the loss of our brother’’.
‘‘Matt’s death is the ultimate sacrifice for someone in our line of work, working to keep the community safe. We spent time with Matt’s mum, who is dealing with every parent’s worst nightmare, outliving their child.’’
Around the country, members of the public have also been paying tribute by laying flowers at police stations.
Two people have been charged in relation to the murder of Hunt.
Hunt was the 33rd police officer to have been killed in New Zealand in the line of duty since 1890, and the first since 2009.