Family of slain police officer say he was gentle giant who loved job

By PATRICK GOWER

The family of slain police officer Duncan Taylor have described him as a gentle giant who loved his job.

Simon Moutter, Detective Constable Taylor's brother-in-law, has thanked the public for their support in the 24-hours since the shooting.

The family received a visit from the Police Commissioner and were contacted by Prime Minister Helen Clark this morning.

A post mortem was being carried out on Mr Taylor's body this afternoon.

"Melanie (Mr Taylor's wife) hasn't seen Duncan yet. That is going to be a difficult task for her," said Mr Moutter.

The couple had been married for 12 years and have an 11 month old son, Campbell.

Mr Moutter said his sister had visited Detective Jeanette Park, 33, in hospital.

"It was important for her. They are all part of the Feilding police family."

Mr Moutter said Detective Constable Taylor had planned to be a policeman for a long time before he joined the force and was very passionate about his career.

"He really lived the dream."

Mr Moutter said the term gentle giant "absolutely epitomises him."

"He was a guy with millions of friends"

Mr Taylor joined the police in 1992 and spent the first five years of his career in Hamilton, before moving to Feilding in 1997.

He was a former New Zealand basketball representative and in 1994 played for the New Zealand Police basketball team.

The Tall Blacks observed a minute's silence before their test match against Hungary in Palmerston North today.

Jeanette Park joined the police in 1991 and before moving to Feilding in 1996 had been stationed in Papakura, Balclutha and the Bay of Plenty.

She came first overall in her detective qualifying course in 1997.

Ms Park is still in hospital after being shot in the thigh while escaping the gunman.

Her husband, Sean Hansen, also a Manawatu detective, issued a statement today.

They said they were overwhelmed by the support they had received. "(our) hearts and love go out to Melanie and Campbell and their families for the loss of our friend and colleague Duncan."

Detective Constable Taylor's body was taken from where it had lain for almost 24-hours after he was shot yesterday.

About a dozen police stood as a guard of honour for the hearse as it left the driveway of the Cocker family home, where the siege took place.

The hearse was then led down Taipo Road by a convoy of police cars flashing their lights.

Three front windows of the house were smashed where police had fired tear gas inside to remove the gunman.

Wreaths of flowers were laid outside the Feilding police station's front door today.

The New Zealand police flag was being flown at half-mast at the station.