The funeral of 20-year-old police constable Mia Lay is being held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in central Sydney, following her death in a car crash in the suburb of Redfern.
Constable Lay had served with NSW Police for 16 months when the marked vehicle in which she was a passenger struck a tree in the early hours of September 25.
Her death was commemorated at National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, when NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley described it as a “dark day”.
At a solemn service, NSW Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to Constable Lay as “talented, optimistic, calm under pressure” and a stellar athlete who had chosen to serve the community.
“It’s a reminder that we ask our police officers to grow up incredibly quickly,” Mr Minns told attendees.
“When their mates from school are going to uni or taking a gap year or getting a start on an apprenticeship, the men and women of the police force are already on the job, walking into danger well beyond their years.”
Constable Lay’s name will be added to the National Police Memorial in Canberra in 2027. The memorial wall contains 832 touchstones engraved with the names of police officers who have died since records began in 1803.
A police march will follow the funeral service, travelling along Bathurst Street from outside the cathedral in Sydney’s city centre.
