Retired Napier area police commander Kevin Kalff, 63, died on Monday after battling cancer.
An officer for 43 years, it was as Inspector Kevin Kalff that he was officer-in-charge of Napier from 1998-2012, including leading the initial response to the shooting of three of his senior staff in 2009.
Mr Kalff often said that the killing of Len Snee and near-fatal shootings of fellow senior constables Grant Diver and Bruce Miller, during a drugs search at gunman Jan Molenaar's home in Chaucer Rd, had been the worst day of his police career.
But he also said the way his staff responded was the highlight of his career, for which he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) in the 2013 New Zealand Queen's Birthday Honours.
"A very special day - quite a feeling," he said after his investiture by Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae at Government House, Wellington.
He had agreed to accept the award on behalf of "all the wonderful people" in Napier he had worked with through the years who helped him achieve a string of community-related ideals.
He also received a police Commissioner's Commendation for his role in the May 2009 incident.
In the TV docu-drama that followed he was portrayed by New Zealand entertainment and theatrical veteran Laurie Dee.
Born and raised in Opotiki, Mr Kalff entered the police as a 17-year-old cadet trainee at the police Trentham barracks in January 1969.
He served much of his career in Wellington, including heading the drugs intelligence bureau, which led him to spend three years as New Zealand Police liaison officer in Bangkok.
It was from that position that he came to Hawke's Bay, where he had a particular focus on community safety, and in 2003 was involved with the community trust team responsible for CCTV cameras being installed around Napier.
He supported Napier community patrols since 2005 and led initiatives to reduce graffiti, and also championed the Ahuriri Maori Focus Forum, creating a strong working relationship between Maori and police in the community.
His death follows an extended fight against cancer, though he continued cycling until recent months.
As his condition deteriorated, many former workmates visited him at home in Ahuriri, where he passed away in the company of partner Catherine and daughter India, who lives in London.
Also survived by his mother, Mr Kalff's funeral will be held next Tuesday at the Napier Sailing Club, starting at 1pm.
One of the biggest gatherings of former police in Hawke's Bay is expected to join current officers for the funeral.