Police force to honour ‘well-respected’ constable killed in car crash
A police funeral will be held to honour 20-year-old Mia Lay, who was killed in a tragic crash in Sydney last week.
Lay and a 24-year-old male constable, who was driving, were responding to reports of a car theft when their police vehicle hit a tree in Redfern at about 1.30am on Friday.
Mia Lay was on the force 16 months before she was killed in a car crash while on duty. NSW Police
Lay was killed instantly, and the male officer was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Lay’s death has rocked NSW Police and the wider community.
Police paid tribute to Lay during a commemorative service for National Police Remembrance Day on Tuesday.
“As we honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our community, we also mourn the loss of Constable Lay, whose dedication and commitment to serving others will not be forgotten,” Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
“To Mia’s family, friends, and colleagues, no words can ease the pain of your loss, but please know you remain in the thoughts of the entire policing family and the broader community.
“Today is about reflecting on the women and men whose names are etched on our Wall of Remembrance.
“Behind every name is a story of courage, service and sacrifice.
“As a police family, we stand beside them today and always.”
Lanyon said Lay would be remembered as a “wonderfully vibrant” and “well-respected young police officer” with a bright career ahead of her.
“Mia is indicative of the type of police you see etched behind me on the wall,” he said.
“Those that join the NSW Police Force because they want to give back to the community, those that were prepared to put their lives before others to make sure they kept the community safe.”
The partner of Constable Mia Lay, a NSW police officer that died in the line of duty last week, attends the Wall of Remembrance event at the Domain in Sydney. Sydney Morning Herald
Lay’s family was present at the service and laid a wreath in her honour.
“There is a lot of grief in the organisation at the moment,” Lanyon said.
“My job as police commissioner, our job as leaders in the organisation, is to make sure we support our people who go about their duty each and every day, despite the fact of what happened to Mia, to keep the community safe.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns described policing as “one of the hardest jobs in this state”.
“You start a shift not knowing what you are going to face, and we ask these young men and women to put themselves in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe,” Minns said.
“Today is about remembering those officers we have lost, but it’s also about their families, their colleagues and everyone who continues to feel that loss.
“I’m incredibly grateful to every man and woman who puts on that uniform and serves our state.
Lay’s family was present at the service and laid a wreath in her honour. Sydney Morning Herald
“We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.”
The NSW Police Force is working with Lay’s family to organise the details of the funeral in the coming weeks.
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