Family, colleagues and friends of late local police officers Constable Mathew Payne and Constable Warren Matheson gathered across the South East region on Tuesday to reflect on their deaths while on duty in Adelaide 40 years ago to the day.
Based at Darlington and aged in their 20s, they were in pursuit of a vehicle being driven recklessly along Tapleys Hill Road when the offending driver forced their police vehicle off the road and into a tree at Glenelg North, killing both officers.
Commemorative services honouring their sacrifice were held at the Rendelsham cemetery, Millicent Cross of Sacrifice and the Mount Gambier Police Station memorial wall.
They were organised by members of the Police Motorcycle Club who took part in a commemorative ride from Adelaide.
Their invitation to be present at the grave of Constable Payne at Rendelsham was accepted by his mother Frankie Payne, other Payne family members and his fiancée Rosemary Downing.
Suzzanne Lesslie, brother of Mathew, said his love of motorbikes was a possible motivation for him joining SA Police.
Among the 100 other mourners at Rendelsham were Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington, officer-in-charge of Millicent police.
He said the deaths of the two young constables on duty showed the inherent risks faced by police.
“It is good to see so many here today,” he said.
Lifelong Rendelsham resident Graeme Smith said he regarded Mathew Payne as his best friend during their boyhood.
“He played cricket at Rendelsham and footy at Hatherleigh and Millicent,” Mr Smith said.
Retired police officer Warren Wrobel said Constable Payne was his usual patrol partner at Darlington but they were not rostered on duty together that fateful night.
He said the young police officer developed close ties with the Wrobel family and was fond of surfing and motorbike riding.
“Mathew would call into our home for a breakfast of bacon and eggs after having already ridden from Adelaide to Victor Harbor and return,” he said.
“We would also launch a boat off Seacliff and head out into the gulf.”
Wattle Range Mayor and retired police officer Des Noll recalled the two fallen officers from their training days together at the Fort Largs Police Academy in suburban Adelaide.
He was on night-duty at the neighbouring Port Adelaide patrol base on the night of March 29, 1982.
“We were following the situation on the police radio and then it went quiet,” Mayor Noll said.
“It did not take long for us to learn what had happened and it was very sad.
“I call into the Rendelsham cemetery from time to time.
“I spend some moments in quiet reflection at Mathew’s grave and say a prayer.
“I do the same at the grave of police tracker Lanky Cana at Beachport.”
As well as laying one of the many floral tributes at the grave of Constable Payne, Mayor Noll also placed a police officer’s cap.
Retired police officer Richard Webber was in the same training course 57 at the academy as Constable Payne.
“We are proud of the service of these two officers,” he said.
“They will never be forgotten.”
