The police community is mourning the loss of a "one-of-a-kind" brother in blue and loving father from the western region, after honouring him in his final days.
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Senior Constable Shannon Hollibone died on July 30, aged 46, after a five-year battle with cancer, NSW Police report.
Police force members will come together on Friday to farewell their esteemed colleague at a funeral service.
He had dedicated 11 years of service to the NSW Police Force, starting his career as a probationary constable at The Hills Local Area Command in December 2009 before transferring to Coonabarabran in 2014.
During his career, Senior Constable Hollibone was the recipient of various awards acknowledging his service to the NSW Police Force, including an Acknowledgement of Good Police Work in 2010, and the NSW Police Force Commissioner of Police 150th Sesquicentenary Anniversary Citation.
He was awarded the prestigious Rotary Clubs Paul Harris Fellow Award at the NSW Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards in 2016, and a Local Area Commanders Unit Citation in 2017.
On Tuesday July 28, Senior Constable Hollibone was presented with the prestigious NSW Police Medal for Diligent and Ethical Service, and the Commissioner of Police Commendation by Commissioner Michael Fuller APM for outstanding and meritorious service to the NSW Police Force.
Senior Constable Hollibone displayed exceptional courage and determination throughout the last five years as he continued to work in the community of Coonabarabran, which is why he has been recognised.
- NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM
"Senior Constable Hollibone displayed exceptional courage and determination throughout the last five years as he continued to work in the community of Coonabarabran, which is why he has been recognised," Commissioner Fuller said.
"He devoted his time and energy to keeping people safe without wanting anything in return, and that's something his family can always be proud of."
Western region commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said the officer's courage was admirable as he continued working after being diagnosed.
"He showed a level of tenacity and courage that I've not seen before," Superintendent McKenna said.
Senior Constable Hollibone tirelessly served the Orana Mid Western Police District and in particular the Coonabarabran community even while undergoing treatment, and often in physical pain, Superintendent McKenna said.
It was a privilege to have been Senior Constable Hollibone's Commanding Officer and I am extremely proud to have known and worked with him.
- Superintendent Peter McKenna
"His efforts were inspirational... [he] always spoke of how proud he was to be a police officer, a testament for other officers to strive for," he said.
"It was a privilege to have been Senior Constable Hollibone's Commanding Officer and I am extremely proud to have known and worked with him."
Superintendent McKenna said above all, Senior Constable Hollibone was a "one-of-a-kind" who was both a proud family man and police officer who came to work to make a difference, despite his personal circumstances.
"It is with sincere condolences and sadness that we recognise the passing of Shannon, however, in our eyes he will always be a part of the Orana Mid Western Police District family, as will his family members," he said.
Police Association of NSW (PANSW) member support coordinator Ian Johnstone said at the special ceremony on July 30 PANSW president Tony King also presented Senior Constable Hollibone with the organisation's watch in appreciation for his loyal membership.
Mr Johnstone paid tribute to Senior Constable Hollibone's career and his approach to life.
"He'll be remembered by his colleagues as someone who was great to work with, he was a trusted colleague, and he was someone who even throughout [his illness], he would undergo his treatment for one week in Sydney, and he would turn up for work the next week, no matter how he felt," he said.
"He was an amazing, I've never seen anything like it...
"He was extremely well-respected, and his work ethic was admired by the fact that even though he was going... through this fight for his life, he was able to still turn up to work, still have a smile on his face.
"...the police force meant the world to him."