Twelve members of the family of Sergeant Derek Wootton have spoken of their loss in a tearful news conference at Porirua police station.
They told of a man who loved doing the job that claimed his life when he was hit by stolen car early yesterday in Titahi Bay.
“He was just a great cop,” said his mother, Cath Wootton.
“He loved his job and I was very proud of him.
The 52 year old policeman was killed as he attempted to lay road spikes to stop a speeding stolen car as it fled pursuing police.
A 32-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared in Porirua District Court yesterday accused of dangerous driving causing Mr Wootton’s death.
Since then Porirua police station has received more than 20 bunches of flowers and countless messages of sympathy and food.
Today Mr Wootton’s partner of 10 years, Bronwyn Hewitt, a non-sworn police dispatcher, spoke of her loss.
“Derek was my soulmate and no one will ever taken that place,” she said.
Mr Wootton’s older brother John said he was a committed police officer with a sharp wit and pragmatism
“Derek was a very loyal and committed son, brother, family man and police officer. He loved his job, he loved working on the front line and, ultimately, that’s where he lost his life,” said John Wootton.
Younger brother and fellow policeman Dave said he had lost a brother and best friend.
The family said the Porirua community and police had been incredibly supportive.
Mr Wootton’s funeral will be held next Wednesday at Porirua Police College.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident that led to Mr Wootton’s death.
Mr Wootton was laying spikes on Dimock St, Titahi Bay, to stop a stolen Honda Prelude car which fellow officers were pursuing when he was hit by the car.
He died at the scene despite police and ambulance officers attempts to revive him.
The stolen car was stopped about 300m down the road and the 32-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving, aggravated robbery, relating to the theft of the Honda, failing to stop after a motor accident and kidnapping.
The kidnapping charge related to a 16-year-old occupant of the car.
The 16-year-old told the Dominion Post of the terrifying pursuit and how the officer’s bravery saved his own life.
The teenager said he was held captive in the car.
He considered trying to jump out during the 17-minute journey that ended when the car struck Mr Wootton early yesterday.
The policeman tried to dive out of the car’s path but struck the windscreen, which cracked and showered the occupants with glass, the teenager said.
“I looked in front of me and there was a cop who had run in front of the car with some spikes,” he told The Dominion Post.
“He dropped the spikes and jumped. As he jumped the corner of the car still got him. I just remember a big hop and I remember the front windscreen smashed in and cracked … and there was glass in my face.”
The car travelled a further 200 metres as the tyres deflated and it finally came to a halt on a resident’s lawn. The 16-year-old said he had feared for his life during the journey.
Mr Wootton had laid down his life for him: “He died but he still stopped the car. It’s horrible he had to lose his life like that.”
Police said yesterday there was an altercation near the Tawa swimming pool about 2am which resulted in officers pursuing a black Honda Prelude through Porirua suburb Elsdon and into Titahi Bay.
Mr Wootton had been a police officer since March 1994. Before joining the force he was a builder and milkman.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad said the incident would be looked upon as the “rare, but very real and ever present threat that we (police) all share”.
“Here is a man who has paid the price.
A number of investigations have now been launched in the wake of the death including a coroners inquest and Occupational Health and Safety and Independent Police Conduct Authority probes.
