Lucindale community mourns local police officer Jason Doig after fatal shooting near Bordertown

A tiny SA town is reeling after its beloved local officer was fatally shot, with his mate and local mayor saying the 53-year-old devoted his life to keeping the community safe.

A police officer killed in a horror shootout near Bordertown was the “ultimate community copper” who lived and breathed his work, friends say, as the PM joins an outpouring of tributes.

Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, 53, was fatally shot after responding to an incident at Senior on Thursday night, with one other officer and the alleged offender also injured.

Sgt Doig, a career policeman who joined the force in 1989, had spent the past 15 years serving the Lucindale community as the town’s officer.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said Sgt Doig was the first officer to lose his life at the hands of a firearm since 1985 – and the “proud” South-East district was in mourning.

“These are good men and women who don’t just look out for each other, they look out for every single one of us,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig has been remembered as a pillar of the Lucindale community. Picture: Supplied

Lucindale and Naracoorte Mayor Patrick Ross said Mr Doig was a good friend who "lived and breathed" his job. Picture: Naracoorte Lucindale Council

“It is a great tragedy that a good man at the age of 53 has lost his life in service of our state in what would otherwise seem like a perfectly routine day in the job.”

Naracoorte and Lucindale Council Mayor Patrick Ross, who is also the area’s CFS group officer, said Sgt Doig was a stalwart of the region who regularly sacrificed his personal life to make sure his community was safe.

With a population of just 280 people, Mr Ross said the town was in shock after news of Sgt Doig’s death.

“It was unconfirmed this morning, but there was conversation on the street that we may have lost our copper in Bordertown,” he said.

Flowers have been left outside the police station. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“The police station is across the road from the delicatessen and 40 metres from the front door of the hotel. Every policeman that has ever been in our town has been absolutely part of our community.”

Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig in uniform. Picture: Supplied

Flowers lefts outside the Bordertown Police Station for Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

Mr Ross said over the 15 years Sgt Doig had spent as the close-knit town’s police officer, the pair had become more than colleagues – they had become good friends.

“We’d been fishing on more than one occasion – I’m a farmer, so he would come hunting on my property from time to time,” he said.

“The CFS would work closely with Jason all the time. We’d have car accidents and Jason was always there.

“He never wanted anyone in his care and control to die from something they had control over, like drink driving. While he was here, we didn’t have a single person lose their life to drink driving.”

Mr Ross said Sgt Doig “lived and breathed” his work and would regularly give up his Friday nights to patrol the pub in the hopes of keeping locals safe on the roads.

“He would go down to the pub in his uniform and say to people around 9pm, ‘I’ll be on duty in half an hour. Now might be a good time to leave or have someone pick you up’ … and that’s what community policing is all about.

“One time he actually pulled up next to my daughter and said, ‘Perhaps you need to blow into this and not drive your car tonight’. In some ways he saved lives every day.”

Described as “a bit of a strange cat” by Mr Ross, Sgt Doig was beloved by the town for his sense of humour.

“It’s not a derogatory term, it’s a term of endearment,” he said.

“Everyone’s different within our community and we respect people for their differences – that’s what small communities are all about.

“Jason rode a motorbike, he had a boat – all of the things that boys do – he was a 53-year-old bachelor and everyone liked him.”

On Facebook, the management of the Lucindale Hotel said they were “shocked and saddened to hear the news of our local police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig”.

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends and the community at this very difficult time.”

Bordertown police officers Sergeant Michael Hutchinson and Constable Rebekah Cass also attended the incident on Thursday night, with Sgt Hutchinson suffering non-life threatening injuries in the shootout.

Sergeant Michael Hutchinson was taken to Flinders Medical Centre with non-life threatening injuries. Picture: 7NEWS

The suspect was also shot by police and sustained serious life-threatening injuries. He was treated at the scene and has since been flown to Adelaide, where he remains under police guard.

Const Cass, who was not physically injured, and Sgt Hutchinson desperately attempted to render aid to both Sgt Doig and accused shooter Jaydn Stimson – but Sgt Doig died at the scene.

Australia’s entire policing community has paid tribute, with the Australian Federal Police, NT Police, Tasmania Police, NSW Police and Victoria police extending their condolences to the SA Police family.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Friday flew to country Victoria to visit the mother and brother of Sgt Doig.

“Victoria Police extends its condolences to South Australia Police after an officer was killed and another injured,” a force statement said.

“Our officers will continue to support our cross-border colleagues and those impacted by this incident wherever possible.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and broader community at this time.”

State opposition leader David Speirs joined the Premier in thanking Sgt Doig, Sgt Hutchinson and Const Cass for their service.

“Our police officers do an amazing job protecting our community and this is a stark reminder of the inherent risks they face day in day out,” Mr Speirs said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his “sincere condolences” to Sgt Doig’s family.

“My heart goes out to his loved ones and the SA Police community,” Mr Albanese said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said “all Australians stand with police officers across Australia, grieving the loss of one of their own”.

“Tragically, today we have learned that bravery and sacrifice will see yet another name added to the 823 names already added to the National Police Memorial wall in Canberra.”

Originally published as Lucindale community mourns local police officer Jason Doig after fatal shooting near Bordertown