For three hours per week, on Monday afternoons, the Lucindale community will have access to “partial front station services” at their local police station.
Two months ago on November 16, Lucindale’s police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig attended a call out to a property at Senior, north of Bordertown 120 kms away, and never returned home.
In the line of duty, Brevet Sergeant Doig was shot and killed.
As a result of his death, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced the temporary closure of the Lucindale Police Station.
Last week the SA Police issued a statement announcing the station would re-open from 1pm to 4pm every Monday.
“Police response will remain as normal by contacting police on 131 444 or triple zero (000) in an emergency,” the statement says.
“Police would like to thank the local community for their ongoing support and understanding during this time.”
Brevet Sergeant Doig had lived in a home attached to the Lucindale Police Station.
Following his death, on November 20, Rural Watch and Blue Light committee chairman Geoff Smith led a gathering of community leaders to reflect on the life of their highly respected police officer.
Representing 26 Lucindale groups and clubs that Brevet Sergeant Doig was either a member of or worked closely with, they gathered in silence outside his station, pinning messages, laying flowers, plants, and hanging uniforms on his fence.
The following evening 500 people overflowed across the main street from an area cordoned off outside the station for a memorial service.
SA Police Acting Commissioner Linda Williams along with other dignitaries travelled to Lucindale to address the local community as well as many fellow police officers.
On December 4 a State Police Funeral hosted by the SA Government included dignitaries from across the nation to celebrate the life of Brevet Sergeant Doig in an emotional and formal service.
The man who allegedly shot and killed Brevet Sergeant Doig – Jaydn Stimson – was charged on November 20 with murder, as well as the attempted murder of Bordertown Sergeant Michael Hutchinson.
Mr Stimson will appear in court again in April.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
Related stories: Fatal shooting, United by grief
