NSW police officer and father of twins found dead identified as Sergeant Matthew Theoklis

A NSW police officer found dead last week has been identified as Sergeant Matthew Theoklis. He has left behind twin daughters Brooke and Sophie.

A NSW police officer who was found dead last week in an office at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills, has been identified as Sergeant Matthew Theoklis.

Mr Theoklis died from a gunshot wound believed to have been self-inflicted on November 30.

Known to friends as Theo, he leaves behind fiancee Rebekah — who is also a member of the NSW Police Force — and daughters Brooke and Sophie.

A member of the police force for 15 years, Mr Theoklis was promoted to the rank of a sergeant in December 2019 with the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command.

Sergeant Matthew Theoklis leaves behind three-year-old twin daughters Brooke and Sophie.

Mr Theoklis with his daughters.

At the time of his death, the policeman had been carrying out duties with the Major Events and Emergency Management and State Planning Unit.

A fundraiser has been set up by the NSW Police Legacy organisation which has already raised nearly $3000.

“Theo was a well-respected member of the NSW Police Force who took immense pride in his job. He performed his duties with the highest of professionalism and will be remembered for the fun and antics, for which he was renowned,” a statement said.

“Theo was a wonderful father who cherished his girls and would constantly talk about them.

“All donations to this cause will go to the ongoing support and care of Brooke and Sophie throughout their lives.”

Mr Theoklis with his daughters in hospital shortly after they were born.

There have been a number of police who have taken their lives while on duty or at a station recently, including a senior constable from the New England region.

Over the years, the NSW Police has been rocked by several high-profile cases of officers taking their lives while on duty, including NSW Homicide Detective Steve Leach, who shot himself in the armoury at NSW Police Headquarters in Parramatta in 2004.

A coronial inquest into the suicide of Detective Sergeant Ashley Bryant put a spotlight on the stress endured by police officers. The father-of-three jumped off Minyon Falls near Byron Bay in 2013.

He had listed 72 traumatic incidents he had been exposed to in his time in the force.

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https://portal.policelegacynsw.org.au/campaign/13/brooke-and-sophie-theoklis-appeal