HUNDREDS of mourners have paid tribute to former Border policeman Mick Horne, with his wife telling funeral-goers he had an infectious laugh.
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The Bega Civic Centre was packed on Saturday for the farewell to Mr Horne.
He died in hospital following a violent attack during a tragic night on the NSW Far South Coast in a situation spoken about on Saturday as “one we may never fully understand”.
In a particularly touching moment, his wife Mel and son Tom were presented with a posthumous Commendation for Courage by representatives of NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, for his actions on the night of June 1.
However, the memorial was more about celebrating the life he led, and by all accounts it was a rich and full one, touching many wherever he went.
There were stories shared of his passion for fishing, for pranks, and for a coffee and a chat at the Waterfront Cafe in Merimbula.
But most of all if was his passion for family that shone through – both for his “perfect” wife and son, as well as his wider police family.
“Once a cop, always a cop,” former NSW Police colleague Gary Raymond, who led the service, said.
As well as offering words of comfort to all those in attendance, retired Chief Inspector Raymond shared stories of his time as Mr Horne's sergeant during his first posting at Blacktown.
Reflections on his time at Holbrook and Albury police stations were also made.
Mrs Horne emotionally spoke about the wonderful man she had known for 38 years who had “barrelled into” her life but now “taken my heart with him”.
She also said he “taught her the F-word, in all the ways it can be used” and was apparently proud when his mother-in-law swore for the first time, blaming him as “the bad influence”.
“He had a laugh that was infectious...and evil,” Mrs Horne said in her heartfelt tribute.
Another police colleague later spoke of “the PG-rated version” of the F-word as it related to the 54 year-old Mr Horne – “family, friends, no-fuss, fastidious and hilariously funny”.
Mr Horne’s sister Kerrie and Suzanne gave the eulogy, saying they knew their little brother, who had been retired for nearly 10 years, was well loved, “but that’s never been more apparent than today”.
- BEGA DISTRICT NEWS
