But just five months after the 22-year-old graduated, he was killed in the line of duty.

On Friday, the state’s top brass, family and friends gathered at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park to honour Tim and other local officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Among those bearing witness were the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s parents, Mr John Morrison OAM, a former police officer and divisional commander, and his wife Marion Morrison OAM.

Graham Boyd, CEO of the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, told those gathered police buried onsite spanned across multiple police area commands.

“Those names appear next to the granite panel where the image of St Michael, the archangel, is etched, standing as the guardian of our police,” he said.

“Next to this memorial is a bronze police cap under which are the words written about police legacy and more importantly its goal.

“Its goal is to support the widows, widowers and dependent children of deceased police so they are never forgotten or in need.”

Under a cloudless sky and as winds whipped through the paperbark trees flanking the memorial stone, Tim’s parents Arthur and Helen Macarounas paid tribute to their fallen son.

The probationary officer was pursuing a stolen vehicle on Oxford St when his wheels locked and he careered into a light pole.

Tim died from his injuries on October 20,1987.

“He lasted eight days,” his father said. “Had he not been fit he would have passed away basically the same day he was hurt.”

Mrs Macarounas described her son as a “magnet”. “He had this magnetism. Everybody loved him.”

“He just had a very special personality, even from when he was a young boy and he made friends so easily,” Mr Macarounas added.

The couple said the pain of their loss was “as strong” as the day he died.

In addressing the couple and the crowd, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy said the risk was “our lot in life”.

“The hurt is there. I was here last year for the 30th anniversary of Tim’s death,” he said.

“It only feels like yesterday that Tim didn’t come home that evening.

“I see the pain in your face. I commend you for being here today and for the courage for being here today.”

Mr Macarounas said he lived with the guilt of telling his son to stay in Sydney, instead of taking up a regional position on the force.

“I was a bit selfish there but I told him to do that. Had I not told him … maybe this would have never happened.”

But his wife reminded him of their son’s prophetic warning. “He did tell us he was going to die young,” she said.