KEY POINTS:
Land Transport New Zealand says it will honour police superintendent Steve Fitzgerald by renewing its commitment to saving lives on the roads.
Police and other agencies who worked with Mr Fitzgerald paid tribute to him today following his death in a crash while cycling home near Wellington last
night.
Mr Fitzgerald, 57, was national manager of the Police Communication Centres for the past three years, but for the five years before that was national road policing manager.
"Steve helped to strengthen the strategic alliance between police and other government agencies with a common goal of saving lives and preventing injuries on our roads," Land Transport acting chief executive Simon Whiteley said today.
"That he has been taken from us in this way reminds us of the huge burden of pain and suffering borne by the friends and families of all those who are killed and injured on our roads."
Mr Fitzgerald would be remembered as a true "hard case", a well-rounded person with a fun-loving personality to complement the professionalism and passion which he brought to his work, he said.
"We will honour Steve's memory by renewing our commitment to the work that he believed in and gave so much of himself to achieve. Steve will be hugely missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and work colleagues at this very difficult time."
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said police in virtually every area of operation were in shock over Mr Fitzgerald's death.
Mr Fitzgerald was one of the "good guys", he said.
"Steve was one of those people who could get the best out of everyone around him - not by wielding the authority of his rank, but by sheer strength of personality, good humour and the incredible ability to include everyone in the plan."
Mr Fitzgerald was cycling home from work when he and an articulated truck and trailer unit travelling in the same direction collided on the Hutt Road and Petone Esplanade roundabout.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash, at 5.25pm during peak traffic flows.
Detective Sergeant Steve Harwood of Lower Hutt CIB said police spoke to several witnesses last night, including the truck driver who was very shaken but unhurt.
"There were other people on the road or in the general area of the roundabout last night and they may have information which will help us find out how this very sad fatality happened," he said.
Waikato police district commander Superintendent Allan Boreham described Mr Fitzgerald as a "great mentor".
"I first heard of him from my father who, working as a sergeant at Auckland Airport, used to say how when it came time for staff assessments Steve's would always be the first completed.
"It was because Steve was considered to be the complete package, he was known as the best performer, so they would do his assessment first and the other constables would be marked against how they measured up."
Mr Boreham remembered his friend as being incredibly dedicated and very safety conscious.
"It's tragically ironic that such an animated campaigner for cycle safety is taken from us in this way.
"He was very safety conscious and would always wear the correct safety and hi-visibility equipment.
"Steve achieved so much. When he came into road policing the road toll was over 600 people killed and he has taken this down to around 400 people per year".
"While this is a tragedy, knowing him, I can picture him saying there is so much more to be done and he would be expecting us to carry on with the good work he had started."
- NZPA
