FAMILY THANKS: NSW Police Association president Scott Weber, left, and family friend and former colleague Ian Mason express the family’s thanks for well wishes and support from the community. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 080312GOA03
BEFORE the funeral service began yesterday morning, NSW Police Association president Scott Weber addressed the media, asking them to show respect to the family and friends because they were still traumatised and it was a very upsetting day.
Mr Weber said police officers across the state mourned the loss of David Rixon and had heavy hearts.
He asked residents to thank a police officer if they saw them out on the street yesterday.
“It’s important to remember what police officers do, and that’s keeping the community safe,” he said.
Policing was a thankless job and the funeral would remind officers across the state that when they do go out on the street, they might not return.
He urged the public to give to the memorial fund to ensure Senior Constable Rixon’s legacy.
“We need to remember his family and that he leaves his loving wife and six children behind,” Mr Weber said.
Ian Mason, who later helped deliver the eulogy, also spoke with media before the funeral, on behalf of the Rixon family.
He thanked media for their continued interest, support and well wishes at an extremely difficult time but said the family was still severely traumatised and wished to be left in peace to grieve in private.
Mr Mason said David was a loving family man and a devoted father.
“He would be extremely embarrassed, yet humbled, that so much attention has been put on himself and those nearest to him,” he said.
He described the outpouring of emotion from the Tamworth community as overwhelming, and as one local identity put it, “an air of gloom over the town”.
As a former highway patrolman, he said serving officers would have been going through a range of emotions.