Around 300 mourners honoured and remembered a local police officer during a special memorial unveiling event at Lucindale on Sunday.
A life-size silhouette of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig and accompanying plaque was unveiled by the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and Doig family members at Lucindale’s Centenary Park.
Brevet Sergeant Doig, 53, was killed in the line of duty on a property at Senior near Bordertown on November 23, 2023.
He joined South Australia Police in 1989 and served the Limestone Coast community for more than a decade at Lucindale and Robe.
SA Police Legacy, Police Association of South Australia, Wall to Wall and Cops 4 Kids worked with SAPOL to organise the memorial following an outpouring of donations and support after Brevet Sergeant Doig’s death.
He was posthumously awarded the South Australia Police Bravery Medal for saving the lives of two police colleagues.
The memorial silhouette is based on a 2013 photo taken by his mother of Brevet Sergeant Doig’s Lucindale posting, where he stands proudly next to a patrol vehicle.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens joined fellow SAPOL members, the Doig family and other dignitaries and guests to celebrate Brevet Sergeant Doig’s life and career.
He detailed his commitment to the communities he served.
“The Lucindale community has been extremely generous, which is a testament to the impact Brevet Sergeant Doig had during his career,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“He leaves behind a legacy of community service and will forever be remembered for his courage and sacrifice.”
Along with being the officer-in-charge at the Lucindale police station from 2011, Brevet Sergeant Doig was well known around town for volunteering at several sporting clubs and participating in crime prevention activities.
SA Police Legacy Board President Kellie Watkins was the master of ceremonies and there were speeches by Commissioner Stevens, SAPOL course mate Matt Buck and brother of the fallen officer Brett Doig.
The prayer and blessing were delivered by Pastor Mark Hann who is a police chaplain and senior pastor of the Jubilee Christian Centre in Mount Gambier.
Following a minute’s silence, the 30-minute service concluded with the laying of floral tributes.
While this was being done, the Band of the South Australia Police performed The Requiescant.
It is played at funerals and memorial ceremonies for Australian police officers killed on duty.
Coinciding with the unveiling, Lucindale Lions Club has renamed a structure in the local park to be the ‘Jason Doig PBM LEM Memorial Shelter’.
The Lucindale community was well represented by various organisations and the dignitaries in attendance included Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Patrick Ross, Nick McBride MP, Ben Hood MLC and Police Minister Stephen Mullighan.
