The policewoman who died after getting rammed by a car driven by a member of the public early New Year’s Day is being remembered as “an incredible officer with a kind heart” by her colleagues, community and the wider country.
Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming dies after car ramming: Mourners pay tributes to ‘loved, cherished daughter, mother, wife’
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One of Fleming’s colleagues, Constable Jamie White, spoke to the Herald after her death.
White said Fleming was “an incredible police officer with a kind heart” and called her a “true professional”.
White said: “I could always ask you for help or advice. It was an honour to serve with you.
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“This cuts deep and makes me feel numb and angry.
“I don’t feel like starting my shift today, but we honour you and your legacy by staying strong and carrying on.”
Floral tributes laid, candlelight vigil planned
Mayor of Nelson Dr Nick Smith said Fleming’s death was “a terrible start to the new year for our city” and invited fellow citizens to lay floral tributes for her outside the Albion Sq Police Station in the city.
“The scale of this tragedy is that it is the first in Nelson’s history of a police officer killed during the course of their duties as well as the first for New Zealand of a women officer being killed,” Smith said.
“Our thoughts are with Lyn’s family, friends and the Police family on this awful day.”
Among other senior politicians who paid their respects included Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Minister of Police Mark Mitchell, Nelson MP Rachel Boyack and Labour’s police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen.
Fleming was an active member of her community, being involved in local netball clubs and coaching the sport at Nelson College for Girls.
“The bedrock of our netball programme for over a decade,” was how the school described Fleming.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of our Senior A netball coach.
“Words cannot describe her impact on our athletes, coaches and staff at Nelson College for Girls. We love you.”
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The Nelson Netball Centre said she had been involved in the sport for many years.
“Thank you for your service, Lyn, to so many communities, including our netball whānau. You are part of the fabric of our sport. We will miss you terribly,” another mourner said.
Nelson locals have organised a candlelight vigil for Fleming, planned for 7pm Friday on the steps of Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, in the central city.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said: “[Fleming’s] death will be felt across the Nelson community and our police family,” he said.
“She was also a loved and cherished, daughter, mother, wife and valued member of the wider Nelson community. Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt across the Nelson community and our Police family.”
Witness Ben Pawsey told 1News at Six the offender “swung around the cop car [with his car], a female officer went off to the side, then he came around again and went straight nose-to-nose with [the police car].”
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Pawsey and other bystanders put a jersey under an injured policeman’s head and kept him from moving, saying his head appeared badly injured, 1News at Six reported.
″It was a hell of a bang," he said of the impact.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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