This week Armidale's highway patrol superviser clocked up 40 years as a police officer.

"I never wanted to do anything else," he said.

For 37 of those years, Sergeant Bramble has worked in highway patrol, which has meant seeing the terrible scenes of carnage that happen on our roads.

"You see people affected by horrific things that never should have happened," he said.

It does mean he is in a position to offer advice about how motorists can avoid

Slow down and take your time, was Sergeant Bramble's advice, while he added it was also important to take plenty of rest breaks and pay attention to the road.

"I've been to too many fatal smashes that could have been avoided by these simple things," he said.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb, visited Armidale this week to honour the longtime officer, where a morning tea was held at the local police station.

The Police Association of NSW presented the experienced officer with a watch to mark the milestone, while the head of the highway patrol sector, Inspector Mark Lyon, also had a gift from his colleagues.

"It is heartening to see a police officer so dedicated to the job as Sergeant David Bramble. To be serving the community with the NSW Police Force for 40 years is an amazing achievement," the assistant commissioner said.

"We've been lucky to have Sgt Bramble serve with the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command for 37 of those years, where he has dedicating his working life to reducing road trauma and ensuring the safety of the community on our roads.

" I know the community and the NSW Police Force will join me in congratulating Sgt Bramble. He's a caring and committed police officer as well as a thoroughly decent man."

Sergeant Bramble has spent almost half of those 40 years at the Armidale station, arriving in 2002 when he was promoted to sergeant.

Just three years into his career, in 1983, Sergeant Bramble started working in highway patrol.

The veteran police officer has worked at both city and country stations since then, but was particularly fond of his postings here and in Forbes in the Central West previously.

"I'm glad I moved to the country, I love the lifestyle."

He said he has enjoyed being able to help people and maybe make a difference in someone's life for the better, no matter how small.

"Hopefully after 37 years in highway patrol I may have helped save some lives through prevention of bad driving behaviour," he said.