Loved ones to gather at memorial for missing Queensland police officer Jay Notaro

Family and friends are set to gather to celebrate the life of a Queensland police officer who went missing in NSW last month.

A memorial is set to be held for missing Queensland police officer Jay Notaro. Picture: Supplied.

Loved ones of a high-ranking Queensland police officer are set to gather to celebrate his life nearly two months after he went missing in NSW.

Detective Inspector Jay Notaro went missing in March, with alarm bells raised after he failed to show up for work on March 25.

His car was found parked and unattended at the Broken Head Beach carpark in NSW’s Northern Rivers region at some point the morning of March 25, while his surfboard was later found by someone walking along the beach about 500m north of where his car was found.

The surfboard was not damaged and the leg rope was fully in tact.

Tweed/Byron Police District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer earlier said police had heard Mr Notaro had been in the Byron Bay area, and that he was an experienced surfer.

A memorial is set to be held for missing Queensland police officer Jay Notaro. Picture: Supplied.

Reports have also since emerged Mr Notaro was a surfing buddy of Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth.

The search for Mr Notaro was called off after crews spent days looking for him.

His body was never found.

Inspector Notaro previously headed the Gold Coast Water Police before he was officer in charge at Coomera Police Station, Today reported.

He then moved to Ipswich as Detective Inspector.

Mr Notaro’s uncle and former police officer Phil Notaro earlier said the situation had left a “hole” in his family’s lives that would “never be filled”, The Courier Mail reported.

“We are heartbroken,” he said.

“Such a tragic accident.”

Rescue crews searched for Mr Notaro for days before it was called off.. Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono

A memorial is set to be held to celebrate Mr Notaro’s life on May 16, more than two months after he went missing.

Blue Hope, a mental health support service for current and former police officers, shared details of the memorial to Facebook.

Inspector ‘strong swimmer’, experienced surfer

Inspector Zimmer earlier said conditions were “calm” when Mr Notaro, who was a “very strong swimmer” and experienced surfer, went missing.

“So he would be extremely capable of managing those conditions due to his experience, (he is an) extremely fit man as well,” Inspector Zimmer said.

“The inspector’s also a very highly regarded and very well respected member of the Queensland Police Force — our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.

“The family of the inspector would like me to extend their gratitude and thanks to the emergency services and volunteers who have been part of this search operation.”

Originally published as Loved ones to gather at memorial for missing Queensland police officer Jay Notaro