20 June 2008
While the NZ Police as a whole are reflecting on the loss of a senior colleague killed in a cycle crash yesterday Waikato Police District Commander, Superintendent Allan Boreham paid a tribute to a man he described as a great mentor.
Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald, 57, the national manager of Police Communications died yesterday after a collision with an articulated truck and trailer unit while cycling home on the Hutt Rd, Petone Esplanade roundabout.
Reflecting how Mr Fitzgerald had been his mentor since he first joined the Police Mr Boreham said his recollections go back even further.
"I first heard of him from my father who, working as a Sergeant at Auckland Airport, used to say how when it came time for staff assessments Steve's would always be the first completed.
"It was because Steve was considered to be the complete package, he was known as the best performer, so they would do his assessment first and the other constables would be marked against how they measured up."
Mr Boreham remembered his friend as being incredibly dedicated and very safety conscious.
"It's tragically ironic that such an animated campaigner for cycle safety is taken from us in this way. He was very safety conscious and would always wear the correct safety and hi-visibility equipment.
"Steve achieved so much, when he came into road policing the road toll was over 600 people killed and he has taken this down to around 400 people per year".
"While this is a tragedy, knowing him, I can picture him saying there is so much more to be done and he would be expecting us to carry on with the good work he had started," said Mr Boreham.
With accolades coming in reflecting on the Stirling work done by his friend in the areas of road policing and communications Mr Boreham said it was also important to reflect on his qualities as a person.
"Steve was an extremely good natured and good humoured person and dedicated not only to the Police but the public that we serve.
"He will be remembered not only as a very competent Police officer but also as a best friend, father, husband and grandfather,' he said.
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