Tributes for respected Northern Territory Police detective Tony Henrys who died in his sleep aged 52

TRIBUTES are flooding in for veteran NT Police detective Tony Henrys who died in his sleep aged 52

Tributes are flooding in for veteran NT Police detective Tony Henrys, who died in his sleep overnight on Tuesday

TRIBUTES are flooding in for veteran NT Police detective Tony Henrys, who died in his sleep overnight on Tuesday in Adelaide.

He was 52.

Detective Sergeant Henrys had spent most of his career as in investigator, having joined the force in 1995.

News of his death filtered out to colleagues on Wednesday morning, where it was met with shock and disbelief.

Colleagues remembered him as a dedicated and skilled detective who took a keen interest in mentoring young officers.

Sgt Henrys had been assigned to the close-knit major and serious crime units for most of the past 20 years.

Sgt Henrys had been involved in investigating some of the Territory’s most horrific and baffling crimes, and was known as a stickler for detail and procedure on the job, but as a kind-hearted larrikin away from work.

Colleagues described Sgt Henrys as an old school detective with an encyclopaedic knowledge of policing.

They said he was revered by his colleagues and that his demeanour often earned him the respect of those he was tasked with investigating.

Among the active cases he was working on were the disappearance, and presumed murder, of Richard Roe and the alleged bashing murder of a 38-year-old man at Palmerston in July.

Sgt Henrys had been holidaying in Adelaide with his wife, Belinda, who is also a serving member of NT Police.

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In a message to the entire force, Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw described his deep sadness at hearing of Sgt Henrys’s death.

“He was a very popular, loyal member within the crime division,” he wrote.

“Tony was well respected by his colleagues and peers and was a friend to many Territorians.

“I, like everybody, am shocked by Tony’s death and will continue to support Belinda and their family through this tragic time.”

Police Association president Paul McCue said he had been inundated with phone calls and messages from current and former colleagues of Sgt Henrys.

“They remember Tony as one of the NT’s most experienced investigators, and an ‘irreplaceable mate’ who has tragically been taken too soon,” he said.