Senior Constable Ian Ross Dennis was admitted to Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday but died from a viral infection yesterday morning .

The 47-year-old father of three was born and raised in Walgett, and after joining the force he served in country communities including Dubbo and Lightning Ridge.

Mr Dennis started off his career as a panel beater in Walgett before he went to work in Bathurst as a plant operator for Evans Shire Council.

He stayed there for 13 years, until at the age of 30 he decided to become a police officer.

Mr Dennis proudly graduated from the NSW Police College in Goulburn in 1987.

"To lose an officer not only of Senior Constable Dennis' calibre, but a man of his integrity, is a terrible loss," NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said.

Castlereagh Local Area Commander Superintendent Stan Single also paid tribute to a colleague and good mate.

"He was a wonderful character and was always happy, always there with a joke," Superintendent Single said.

"Senior Constable Dennis was an excellent role model for the Aboriginal community.

When he first joined the force Mr Dennis was a general duties officer at Bathurst until December 1992.

In July 1997 Mr Dennis moved to Dubbo and was among our local ranks for three years until early 2000.

He then moved to Lightning Ridge for two years and eventually returned to Walgett police station, where he was serving until his death.

Mr Dennis is survived by his wife Anne, their sons Damian and Timothy, a daughter Geraldine and two grandchildren.