Sergeant killed in crash a 'fine officer'

A police sergeant killed when his squad car crashed into a tree in the NSW Hunter Valley was a highly respected officer who was married to a senior constable and had two young sons.

Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, 43, was driving through Allandale on his way to help other officers in a pursuit late on Saturday night when his car ran off the road and crashed into a tree.

He was the sole occupant of the patrol car and died at the scene.

Sgt Richardson is survived by his wife, a serving member of NSW Police, and two sons.

Police Minister Troy Grant said he was devastated to learn about his death and paid tribute to the "much-loved" man.

"(He) was a much-loved, hard-working and respected member of the Port Stephens Local Area Command and his tragic death is being felt right across the region and the wider police family," Mr Grant said.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said an internal investigation would probe the circumstances surrounding the crash.

"At the moment we don't have too many details. It's all subject to investigation, obviously," he told reporters on Sunday.

"The investigation will take some time, obviously, and we may have some further information we can provide at a later time."

In a statement, NSW Police said Sgt Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service.

"In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served," the statement said.

"Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.

"As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sgt Richardson's family, his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation."