Police, family and friends, gathered today in the New South Wales town of Glen Innes to farewell police officer William Crews, killed in the line of duty.

The funeral was a more intimate affair than the large memorial service held in Sydney last week.

Dominique Wiehahn reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

Constable Crews was fatally shot during a drug raid in Sydney’s southwest earlier this month.

Today, at Holy Trinity Church relatives and fellow officers paid their respects.

Among them the NSW Police Commissioner.

Andrew Scipione, NSW Police Commissioner: “William’s career within the NSW Police Force was a relatively short few years. But his impact was clearly enormous.”

Pallbearers included his brother Ben who also gave the eulogy in remembrance of William’s good character and dedication to the force.

Ben Crews, Brother: “He loved this job and he gave it everything that he could offer and I believe this is why he was so successful in his chosen profession. He was a larrikin and loved a laugh and also knew when the job had to be done.”

Crews’ sister also offered these words.

Rebecca Lancaster,Sister: “Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight. I am just waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near.”

A private burial was a fitting farewell to such a public loss.

Dominique Wiehahn QUT News.