Senior Constable Renae Landgraf, nee Spackman, died as a result of health complications last Friday, at the age of 31.

Her sudden death has rocked Dubbo’s police family and the wider community.

Accompanied by his three sons and baby daughter, Steve Landgraf, an officer himself, was surrounded by hundreds of friends and colleagues as he farewelled his beloved wife yesterday at St Brigid’s Catholic Church.

Speaking on behalf of the family yesterday, Nicole Muir, Jodi George and Carly Stephens painted a beautiful picture of Renae’s life, moving from Western Australia at a young age with her family and residing in Narromine, where she completed her schooling and started work.

In 2001 Renae achieved her dream of being accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy, where she later graduated as probationary constable Renae Spackman.

Renae transferred to Dubbo Police Station in 2005, the same year she married her long-time friend Steve Landgraf, which her family remembers as being the happiest time of her life.

In marrying Steve, Renae welcomed with loving arms his two sons Connor and Harris and then in 2007, Renae was blessed with her first child, Ethan.

In February this year Steve and Renae had their second child, baby girl Mackenzie.

Family members said while Renae’s life was short-lived, she was able to achieve all she had dreamed to achieve and that was to become a police officer, a wife and a mother to a son and a daughter.

As a person, friends and family described Renae as being energetic, loving, fun and ambitious.

She was an extremely dedicated, mother, wife and police officer who worked hard and stuck her neck out for other people.

Superintendent Stan Single read a valedictory at the funeral outlining Renae’s police service and a description of her achievements and commendations.

Renae’s police service follows her father Neil’s army service and the policing career of her husband and role model uncle Peter.

Together with police colleagues a large contingent of nursing and medical staff attended the funeral in support of Renae’s mother, Sandra.

Renae will be remembered by her peers and family for her insistence in having all things right.

Her insistency on right and wrong and her compassion, dedication and work ethic are qualities she has imposed upon a number of junior police she has helped train.

Following the service, one section of Brisbane Street was closed off and Renae’s fellow officers, including drummers marched in front of the hearse as it made its way to the New Dubbo Cemetery for the burial.

Officers on bikes led the procession, and marked police cars transported the family.

anna.yeo@ruralpress.com