Mooroolbark police Senior Sergeant Jeff ‘Joffa’ Haines farewelled
To his family he was everything and to his colleagues he was well respected. Mooroolbark police Senior Sergeant Jeff “Joffa” Haines has been remembered as a man devoted to his family and his work.
Outer East
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Jeff “Joffa” Haines was a man devoted to his family and his work.
The policeman of 46 years never put himself above his troops and was always willing to get out on the ground.
To his family he was everything, and to his colleagues he was well respected and liked by all.
On October 2 Joffa died unexpectedly at 64 doing what he loved – playing golf.
Joffa left behind his wife Helen, daughter’s Karlie Haines and Amanda Kaddis and four grandchildren.
Mooroolbark police station had been Senior Sergeant’s home base for 14 years but he had worked across the division at Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.
He was the former officer in charge at Ringwood and was on the ground during Black Saturday bushfires in the Yarra Valley.
Friend and colleague Sergeant Richard Higgins said while Joffa had a rank, he wasn’t above going to help the “young ones” out at jobs.
“He was the consummate street copper who couldn’t stand the corporate world,” Sgt Higgins said.
“He never forgot where he came from and always wanted to help anyone, whether it be above or below him.”
To everyone Joffa was down to earth.
“He never forgot where he came from and always wanted to help anyone, whether it be above or below him,” Sgt Higgins said.
“We’d all be sitting having lunch and he’d go to the front counter to help, leaving the troops to finish their break.”
“He always stuck up for the troops.”
Wife Helen Haines said he was a very private and proud man who was devoted to his family.
“He loved his golf,” Mrs Haines said.
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“He was a very fair and funny man. He enjoyed having a good laugh and a joke.”
She said he was caring and stood up for his workers.
“He wasn’t afraid to stand by what he did,” Mrs Haines said.
The couple have five golden retrievers – Tehya, Kaelah, Mia, Shiloh and Summer – who he adored.
“He was devoted to them, he was a big softie.”
The couple met in the police force and married in February 2016.
“He was devoted to me, and treated me like an angel,” she said.
Daughter Karlie said her dad was kind and caring and would do anything for anyone.