'Mango' to pay last tribute

By Philippa Stevenson

MANGAKINO - Small-town policeman Murray Stretch will today get the biggest send-off family, friends and fellow officers can provide for a mate killed in the line of duty.

Tributes and recollections have already flowed publicly in newspaper columns for the 38-year-old, who was born, died and will be buried in tiny Mangakino.

In death notices at the weekend, Constable Stretch's partner, Claire Horton, recorded a message of love and sorrow to her "Hon," signed "your soul-mate."

Former wife Lenore said his "spirit will live on in our children," Alec and Bryan.

Some friends remembered their deeply respected friend "Muzza." Others told their "Dear Bro, it will now be beer o'clock forever."

Winsome Stretch recalled her youngest brother's brutal murder on Wednesday night "defending his beloved Mango."

"GO83 has gone, but will never be forgotten," she said.

Today's ceremony will begin at 9 am when Constable Stretch's casket will be carried on to the Pouakani Marae for a tribute by local iwi.

At 11 am, a funeral service will be held at the neighbouring Mangakino School hall.

Full honours will be accorded the 25th police or traffic officer to be killed by a criminal act while on duty. The service, taken by police chaplain Pastor Paul Makiha, is expected to draw a huge crowd, including 12 senior Australian police.

Colleagues will be pallbearers, pipers from the Auckland Police Pipe Band will play, and an honour guard including police dog handlers will line the route of the hearse when it leaves the service.

At a private family service in the Mangakino cemetery, Constable Stretch will be buried beside his father, George, who died this year.