Colleagues of an Auckland police officer who died while refereeing a rugby match are in shock at the 44-year-old's sudden passing.
Counties Manukau district commander Superintendent John Tims said Graham Eddy was a "highly respected" member of the police force.
Eddy had been a police officer for seven years' and was working as an acting Sergeant in Pukekohe before he suffered a fatal heart attack at the Karaka sports field last Friday.
He had previously worked in the automotive industry and had been refereeing for Counties Manukau Rugby Referees Association for three seasons.
His tragic passing was a "huge loss" to the police, Tims said.
Police were called to the scene after Eddy collapsed and officers were supporting his colleagues and family "during this difficult time".
"Our thoughts are with Graham's wife Alexandra and his two young daughters, Scarlet and Madeline."
The heart attack was "extremely unexpected" as Eddy was "very fit", friend and fellow referee Nigel Bradley said.
Bradley met Eddy through refereeing in Waiuku. He said Eddy was passionate about refereeing and where he was going with it.
"He certainly had ambitions to referee premier rugby regularly," Bradley said.
Bradley remembered Eddy as "great to deal with".
"He wasn't shy to give an opinion, he was a passionate rugby man and we had some great conversations about all things rugby."
His family remembered him as someone who could talk to anyone, and who enjoyed nothing more than helping others.