Senior Constable Stefan Witehira, a 49-year-old father of four who was also chairman of the East Otago High School board of trustees, died suddenly on December 6 at the school's year 10 camp at Glenorchy.
Born in Dunedin, Snr Const Witehira joined the police in 1997 and was posted to Palmerston in 2004.
His work extended beyond the day-to-day duties of policing and included a close working relationship with Civil Defence.
On Thursday, Waitaki District Council emergency management officer Ewen Graham announced Snr Const Witehira had been confirmed as the recipient of a posthumous Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management long service award.
Mr Graham said Snr Const Witehira embodied everything the award's criteria should.
"Although Civil Defence was seen as a part of his core duties, I was easily able to demonstrate that Stefan went far beyond what was expected in his police role. His bravery and dedication were unwavering.
"From a Civil Defence perspective he was always there supporting his community during his 14 years in Palmerston, often in his own time, attending training, Civil Defence community meetings and every Civil Defence emergency event whether on duty or not.''
In February 2009, Snr Const Witehira and former Hampden officer Senior Constable Darrin Low received Silver Merit Awards for professionalism and courage after they were shot at after laying road spikes during a police pursuit.
Snr Const Witehira also received two district commander commendations, in 2002 and 2005.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times in the days after Snr Const Witehira's death, Mr Low described his friend as the "ultimate professional''.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher will present the award to Snr Const Witehira's wife, Mieke, at a ceremony at the Waihemo Service Centre in Palmerston at 2.30pm tomorrow.
