Police colleagues, family, friends and politicians gathered in Nelson today to farewell and honour the life of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming who died after being struck by a vehicle in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
A large number of people attended the funeral of the 38-year police veteran at the Trafalgar Centre.
Police officers were brought into Nelson from other districts so that her colleagues can farewell the 62-year-old.
Fleming’s casket arrived via police motorcade at around 12.50pm followed by the service. The first part of the ceremony took place inside the venue before police relocated to the eastern carpark for the flag folding ceremony, police haka, and to form a guard of honour.
‘I love you so much’: Lyn Fleming remembered by her family
Both her son Aren and daughter Rayna, who led the eulogies, said that words were not enough to remember their mother by.
“Mum, I love you, always have, always will, I’m the person I am today because of you,” said Aren.
“I am sorry for all the fuss I know you would have hated being the centre of attention like this, but you deserve it.”
Rayna said her mother was her everything and the “glue that holds us all together”.
“I love you so much.”
Fleming’s brother Michael ‘Woody’ Fleming, a firefighter, began his speech by thanking those who tried to save her life.
He told childhood stories of his older sister and how he idolised her.
“The fact she has become an historical figure is going to annoy the hell out of her,” he said.
‘Full of goodness’ – Police Commissioner
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said that as a senior officer, Fleming did not have to work the night she died, but she did anyway to support her team.
Chambers said he had read Fleming’s personal file and that it was “full of goodness” after 38 years and seven months on the job.
“Letters of thanks and acknowledgement from members of the community, families, children, for what she did for them in their time of need.”
The pair worked together for a short period when Chambers served as Tasman District Commander and he needed assistance with some “complex tasks”.
“I needed someone who had influence, someone who had a lot of common sense, someone whose commitment I could rely on. She got me there.”
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was farewelled in Nelson today. (Source: 1News)
He said had asked Fleming if she would be interested in doing a similar job but at a national level, which would require “quite a bit of time” away from Nelson.
“Her response to my offer was resounding and clear. ‘No’. I said, ‘Lyn, why not?’
“She said her commitment to her family, to her community, and to her colleagues here in Nelson was more important, and she was right.”
Jon Routhan, director of sport at Nelson College for Girls, spoke of her impact on countless people.
“She was the best of us and she is irreplaceable. Her wit, knowledge, love and purple puffer jacket stay with our girls forever.”
Earlier today, representatives from police in Australia laid flowers outside the Nelson Police Station.
As well as a dedicated police officer, Fleming has been remembered as a loved mother, wife, daughter, and sister. She was heavily involved in Nelson netball.
Fleming is the 34th officer to die in the line of duty in New Zealand. She is also the first female officer and only officer from the Nelson region to be killed.
