Porirua is remembering Sergeant Derek Wootton on the 18th anniversary of his death in the line of duty.
Sergeant Wootton, 52, died after being struck by a fleeing vehicle in Tītahi Bay on 11 July 2008.
The NZ Police Association paid tribute to him on Saturday, describing him as a respected officer who was well known among police colleagues and the Porirua community.
Sergeant Wootton joined New Zealand Police in March 1994 as a member of Wing 150 at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
He was posted to Porirua after graduating and spent his police career serving the local community.
On the night of his death, police were responding to reports of a serious assault and carjacking.
Officers located the vehicle near Porirua and pursued it to Tītahi Bay, where Sergeant Wootton deployed road spikes in an attempt to stop it.
He was struck as the vehicle drove over the spikes. Despite the efforts of colleagues and paramedics, he died at the scene.
Sergeant Wootton was the 27th New Zealand police officer to die in the line of duty.
The driver later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of five years.
The Police Association said its thoughts remained with Sergeant Wootton’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Thank you for your service, Derek. You will always be remembered.”