Memorial plans for ‘legendary community cop’, Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, at Lucindale

Donations poured in after a beloved officer lost his life during a historic tragedy in country SA. Now his community wants to make the most of it. Send your suggestions here.

A small SA country town is discussing how to honour its slain police officer, after he was killed in a shootout at Senior, near Bordertown last November.

Plans for a public memorial for Brevet Sergeant Doig, 53, will be on the agenda at the community meeting in Lucindale in the state’s South-East on Monday.

Representatives from SA Police Legacy will attend the public forum at the Lucindale Senior Citizens Club to discuss with the community how to spend donations made to the organisation in his memory.

SA Police Legacy manager Karen Cucchiarelli said Monday’s meeting was a brainstorming session to include the community in coming up with ideas to commemorate Sgt Doig.

Any plans must be approved by the organisation’s governing board and Naracoorte Lucindale Council and SA Police Legacy want to involve the Lucindale community.

“The forum is being held to gauge community feedback on what might be appropriate as a sign of remembrance for Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig,” Ms Cucchiarelli said.

The forum is being jointly run by SA Police Legacy and the Lucindale Community Economic Development Board.

Sgt Doig became the first officer to lose his life in a shooting in SA since 1985 when he was killed at Senior after a late-night call-out turned violent.

Jason Doig in uniform while on duty at Lucindale Picture: Supplied

Sgt Doig was a career policeman who joined the force in 1989 and had spent the past 15 years serving the Lucindale community as the town’s officer.

He is remembered by both the police community and Lucindale – which has a population of just 280 people – as a “legendary country cop” who served with distinction, honour and courage.

He was honoured at a state funeral attended by thousands – and for which thousands more lined the streets in a guard of honour – on December 4.

Naracoorte and Lucindale Council Mayor Patrick Ross said at the time of Sgt Doig’s passing the officer “lived and breathed” his work and was incredibly dedicated to keeping locals safe.

Following his death, SA Police Legacy received significant donations in his memory and they are eager to involve the Lucindale community in determining how to spend these funds in a way that honours Sgt Doig’s legacy.

The meeting will begin at 8pm Monday and locals are encouraged to come along and have their say.