Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming will be farewelled and laid to rest in a ceremony in Nelson from 1pm today.

The policewoman died after being struck by a vehicle in central Nelson just after 2am on New Year’s Day.

STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVE BLOG

STORY CONTINUES 

Fleming is the first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand. She was also the first police officer to be killed while on duty in Nelson.

The funeral will begin after a wreath-laying ceremony this morning.

Her family, friends, colleagues, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, and members of the community will gather at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson to farewell the 62-year-old.

With the blessing of Fleming’s family, the funeral service will be conducted with full police honours.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. Photo / NZ Police 

With the blessing of Fleming’s family, the funeral service will be conducted with full police honours. 

The funeral will also be livestreamed on the police website and here at nzherald.co.nz. 

Fleming is survived by her husband Bryn, children Rayna and Aren, parents Ray and Colleen, and siblings Woody, Carol, and Jo. 

In a funeral notice, the family said: “Her light was taken from the world, and the lives of all who knew her. 

“Our sincere gratitude to the staff at Nelson Hospital, whose heroic efforts enabled Lyn’s family to be present in her final moments.” 

A memorial plaque to Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming who died on New Year's Day has been attached to the flagpole outside the Nelson Police Station. NZME photo / Tracy Neal 

Fleming, who had been a police officer for 38 years, died after she and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were struck by a vehicle in central Nelson in the early hours of New Year’s Day. 

A 32-year-old man has been charged with murdering Fleming and attempting to murder Ramsay. 

He is also facing two charges of assault using a vehicle as a weapon, two charges of wounding with intent, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified. 

At his first appearance in the Nelson District Court on January 3 the accused was granted interim name suppression. 

The order has since been extended until at least his next appearance in the High Court at Nelson on February 14. 

Police have said that the man may face further charges as the investigation into the fatal incident continues. 

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said earlier that it was an honour to give Fleming a full police funeral. 

“This is something I wish we didn’t have to plan for, but I am grateful to Lyn’s family for allowing her police family to be an integral part of her final farewell,” he said. 

“Lyn has made the ultimate sacrifice as a police officer, so it is appropriate we honour her with a formal police funeral.” 

Tributes have been left at the Nelson Police Station for slain police officer Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. Photo / Katrina Bennett 

Those formal proceedings will begin with Fleming’s casket arriving at the venue by police motorcade. 

A number of her colleagues and close family will speak at the service which is expected to run for two hours. 

At the end of the funeral, Fleming will be carried to the hearse through a police honour guard. 

A police piper will play and there will be a flag presentation to her family and a haka from her colleagues. 

This morning, before the service, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place. Floral tributes will be laid by police in New Zealand and overseas in memory of Fleming. 

Yesterday police - and many New Zealanders - observed a minute’s silence in honour of Fleming. 

Officers and workers at the Wellington Central Police Station joined in a minute’s silence at 1pm yesterday to remember fallen Nelson colleague Lyn Fleming. 

“We ... invited staff to pause and observe a minute’s silence wherever they are to remember the ultimate sacrifice of one of our own and reflect as we prepare to lay Lyn to rest,” said Chambers. 

All police flags will continue to fly at half-mast until tomorrow. 

And Auckland Council will mark the passing of the slain officer by turning off the harbour bridge lights. The Sky Tower lights will also not be lit tonight. 

Police Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming remembered. Illustration / Rod Emmerson 

Deaths on duty: the full list of Kiwi police killed on the job 

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming is the 34th police officer to die as a result of a criminal act in New Zealand. 

Her fallen colleagues include: 

Constable Matthew Hunt, June 2020 

Senior Constable Len Snee, May 2009 

Sergeant Don Wilkinson, September 2008 

Sergeant Derek Wootton, July 2008 

Detective Constable Duncan Taylor, July 2002 

Constable Lester Murray Stretch, May 1999 

Constable Glenn McKibbin, April 1996 

Sergeant Stewart Guthrie, November 1990 

Senior Constable Peter Umbers, May 1990 

Traffic Officer Robin Dudding, April 1986 

Traffic Officer Barry Gibson, June 1977 

Constable Peter Murphy, September 1976 

Sergeant Gilbert Peter Arcus, February 1970 

Detective Constable Ronald Bernard Hill, May 1969 

Constable Donald Stokes, August 1966 

Constable Bryan Schultz, February 1963 

Constable James Richardson, February 1963 

Detective Inspector Wallace Chalmers, January 1963 

Constable Louis Hekenui (Heke) Bidois, May 1956 

Sergeant William Shore Hughes, May 1951 

Traffic Officer John Kehoe, January 1949 

Constable Edward Best, October 1941 

Constable Percy Tulloch, October 1941 

Constable Frederick Jordan, October 1941 

Sergeant William Cooper, October 1941 

Constable James Butler, January 1938 

Constable Thomas Heeps, October 1934 

Constable James Dorgan, August 1921 

Constable Vivian Dudding, October 1919 

Constable John Doyle, February 1913 

Sergeant John Patrick Hackett McGuire, April 1910 

Constable Neil McLeod, July 1890