Young officer remembered after gunman ended his life year ago
A memorial plaque has been unveiled at Henderson Police Station, as today marks one year since Constable Matthew Hunt was slain in the line of duty.
Hunt was killed during a traffic stop in Massey, Auckland, on June 19 last year.
His colleague, whose identity is protected, was also shot several times but survived.
Police say Hunt’s loss has been felt every day in Waitemata¯ District where the young man had worked for more than two years. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Hunt’s mum and sister, Diane and Ellie, Police Minister Poto Williams, Waitemata¯ District Commander Naila Hassan and other guests came together to unveil the plaque yesterday.
Coster said they continued to mourn Hunt and their thoughts were with his family who missed him dearly.
“It was moving to see police staff come together to acknowledge the year that has passed without Matthew working by our side,” Coster said.
“His death has impacted our officers greatly, particularly those who worked closely with him during his time at Orewa Police Station.
“While we have marked the anniversary of Matthew’s death with a ceremony at Henderson, I know many of his colleagues, friends and family will also be remembering him in other ways.”
Coster said Hunt had touched many and while police mourned his loss, they knew his family had been the most affected by losing their “beloved son and brother”.
“We are continuing to offer support to Matthew’s family as well as our officers who need it,” he said.
“The welfare of our officers is our priority.”
The injured officer continues to recover, supported by his colleagues and the organisation.
Hunt was the 33rd New Zealand police officer killed in the line of
His mother last week spoke to the Weekend Herald.
“Does it get easier? No, it absolutely becomes harder,” she said.
“There are times where I think it’s not true, there are days when I think ‘perhaps it didn’t happen . . .’
“I can lie to myself, I live a very quiet life, it’s just me in the house and I can make things up, like just maybe it didn’t happen.
“It’s just trying to get through the day, and the next one, and the next one.”