Family of SA Police Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig send their thanks to the state for its support

The loving family of an SA Police officer who was killed in the line of duty has thanked the state for rallying behind them in their time of grief.

The family of slain police officer Jason Doig, who was killed in the line of duty, have given their thanks to the entire SA community for its overwhelming support following the tragedy.

Brevet Sergeant Doig’s mother, Faye Edwards, her husband Rob, his brothers Brett and Greg, sister-in-law Beth and nephew Liam have expressed their appreciation in a public notice.

Mrs Edwards, who lives in Victoria, told The Advertiser the simple and heartfelt statement – featuring a photo of her smiling son – was the best way she could think of to “thank everyone”.

She said the family was deeply touched by the numerous gestures of support and the 3500-strong attendance at Sgt Doig’s funeral in December.

SA Police Brevet Sergeant Jason Christopher Doig. Picture: Supplied by Sgt Doig’s family

Sgt Doig was killed in the line of duty – the man accused of attacking him has been charged with murder. Picture: Facebook

“Faye, Rob, Brett, Beth, Liam and Greg wish to sincerely thank everyone for their loving support on the tragic loss of our son, brother and uncle,” she said.

“Heartfelt thanks for all the cards, flowers, tributes and kind words and telephone calls.

“The overwhelming love, care and support that everyone has shown has been truly appreciated during this hard time.

“Please accept this as our personal thanks.”

Sgt Doig, 53, who was stationed at Lucindale, was the first officer to lose his life in a shooting in SA since 1985.

A career officer and keen motorcycling enthusiast, Sgt Doig joined SA Police in 1989 and had been a member of the South-East community for 15 years.

He was killed at Senior while responding to an incident alongside Bordertown officers Constable Rebekah Cass and Sergeant Michael Hutchinson.

Sgt Hutchinson suffered non-life threatening injuries in the incident.

All three officers were praised, after the incident, by Commissioner Grant Stevens.

A photograph displayed to mourners at Sergeant Doig’s funeral.

“For those two officers to act the way they did in such difficult circumstances speaks volumes for their courage and their commitment to their duty and to their colleagues,” he said.

“An injured police officer stepping in to provide potentially life saving assistance to a colleague – and also the person who is suspected of having committed the offence – in such difficult circumstances is the reason you can only be proud of the SA Police.”

Jaydn Stimson, 26, has yet to plead to charges of both murder and attempted murder, and will next face court in April.

Meanwhile, the town of Lucindale and SA Police Legacy are exploring how best to create a permanent memorial to Sgt Doig, who was beloved in the region.

This week, Mrs Edwards said the family’s statement has been posted on noticeboards across Naracoorte, Bordertown and Mount Gambier as well as Lucindale.

She said the family wanted all of SA to know how deeply and truly they had appreciated all of the support they had been shown.