A respected female police officer found dead at a police station in South Australia is believed to have taken her own life in the women’s bathroom of the building.
The officer was found at Port Adelaide police station on Monday afternoon and police have previously confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.
The detective brevet sergeant, aged in her 30s, is believed to have taken her own life between 2pm and 3pm on Monday, 7News reports.
Online reports from eyewitnesses claim police officers inside the station at the time heard a loud bang within the building leading to the discovery of her body.
The Indigenous mother of two’s name and photos have not been revealed due to cultural reasons.
The woman moved from Whyalla to Adelaide, where she initially worked as a community constable. The role involved her helping police engage with First Nations and culturally diverse communities.
She was nominated for the City of Port Adelaide Enfield’s 2012 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards for her work within the First Nations community.
“(I) would like to help turn around the public’s perception of police officers from a negative to a positive,” she wrote as part of her nomination for the Person of the Year award.
“I love the variety in my work and I love getting the opportunity to help people by making the best out of a bad situation.
In her nomination blurb she also wrote about her passion for serving the community with her ultimate goal to see the Aboriginal community represented more in SA Police.
“She has shown a genuine concern and passion for the community in general and has had life experience which she shares openly with her peers,” the nomination reads.
“She stands up for what she believes in and is very passionate about her cultural heritage.”
In 2015 the woman was sworn in as a full-time police officer and was assigned to the family violence unit at Port Adelaide Police Station.
Four years later she married her wife, who is also a South Australian police officer.
The deceased police officer was the granddaughter of a celebrated Aboriginal writer and poet who had more than 61 works published throughout their career, Daily Mail Australia reports.
The grandmother is considered to be a “pioneer in First Nations Australia literature in South Australia”, becoming the first ever published Aboriginal female writer within the state, winning awards for her contribution to the arts.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said several tragedies had unfolded in South Australia recently and they were confronting.
“Anytime we see a tragedy of this nature involving anyone in our community it hurts,” Mr Malinauskas said.
Friends and fellow police officers have posted tributes to the officer on social media and expressing their shock over her sudden death.
“I just wish I could see and hear you one more time. You were loved by us all, miss you forever,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“R. I. P beautiful soul. If only we could hear her laugh again,” a second person said.
“Absolutely gutted … going to miss your bright bubbly face,” another said.
Condolences from strangers have also been coming in, with people thanking the police officer for her work.
“R.I.P. your shift is over, thank you for you service. Condolences to your family
I’m sorry, my thoughts and sympathies are with those grieving,” one person wrote
“My condolences to her family, friends and work colleagues…..Its sad to see a beautiful angel returning where she’s from. Hope her family, friends and colleagues are OK too,” another person commented.
The Acting Commissioner of Police Linda Williams has advised a Commissioner’s Inquiry will be undertaken into the circumstances surrounding this matter.
A coronial investigation also will be conducted into the tragedy.