Slain Nelson police officer Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming will be farewelled at a special funeral service at the Trafalgar Centre today from 1pm.
The 38-year Police veteran was killed in the line of duty after she and her colleague were struck by a vehicle at the Buxton Square Carpark in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
With the blessing of Lyn’s family, her funeral will be conducted with full Police honours including a motorcade, guard of honour, a Police piper, a Police haka and a flag presentation to Lyn’s family.
More than 1000 people are expected to attend the service including family, friends, 200 Police staff from the Nelson Bays and wider Tasman areas, and representatives from other districts.
Several public figures will also attend including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, Nelson MP Rachel Boyack, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and representatives from the Police executive.
A wreath laying by the Commissioner, members of the Police executive and representatives from international Police services will take place at Nelson Police Station at 11:30am.
While the funeral is private, a livestream of the service will be available on the Police website and at Nelson Cathedral for public viewing from 1pm.
Police staff from other districts have been flown in to support normal policing and allow staff to attend the funeral.
The New Zealand flag will fly at half-mast across all government and public buildings today to mark the funeral.
Nelson City Council has advised expected increased traffic and pressure on parking spaces in the central city, including near the Trafalgar Centre.
It has advised drivers to take care around the city centre, use alternative routes if possible and that there is also potential for bus service delays.
Police nationwide had observed a minute of silence to honour Senior Sergeant Fleming at 1pm on Wednesday which also marked 24 hours before her funeral.
