Police in New Zeland have paid tribute to Constable Matthew Hunt, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
On 19th June at around 10:30 hours, Constable Hunt and his colleague were on patrol when they noticed a suspicious vehicle being driven in the suburb of Massey.
They indicated for the vehicle to stop, but it sped off from them.
Constable Hunt and his colleague went after the car. The driver of the fleeing vehicle collided with a member of the public before they caught up with him.
As officers arrived at the scene of the collision, a male emerged from the suspect’s car. He started firing at the two officers with an automatic weapon as they exited their patrol vehicle, giving them little chance to defend themselves.
Both officers were shot with multiple rounds, and Constable Hunt tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The member of the public who was in the vehicle that the suspect’s car had hit was also seriously injured.
Constable Hunt’s colleague was rushed to hospital and underwent life-saving surgery.
A 24-year-old male has been charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving causing injury.
A video was uploaded to the Waikato Police Facebook page this morning, as hundreds of officers paid tribute to their fallen colleague.
In the video, a senior officer, flanked by Constable Hunt’s colleagues, hands a folded up NZ flag to the fallen officers family.
Officers then perform a traditional Haka for their fallen colleague, before a procession, led by bagpipers, takes Constable Hunt to his final resting place.
A spokesperson for Waikato Police said: “In loving memory of Constable Matthew Hunt. We together, will never forget him”.
Constable Hunt was just 28-years-old when he was murdered in cold blood. He had served with the New Zealand Police for two-and-a-half years.
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Police Constable Matthew Hunt 1991 – 2020 #RIP
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