Police farewell 'gentle' colleague

A funeral procession for Curtis Cheng, who was gunned down in front of police headquarters in Parramatta. Photo / AAP

More than 1500 people yesterday farewelled a gentle man whose death at the hands of a 15-year-old terrorist outside Parramatta police headquarters has shaken the New South Wales Police Force.

Sombre officers stood guard as their colleague Curtis Cheng's coffin left St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney following his funeral more than two weeks after the shooting.

Cheng, an accountant for the force for 17 years, was remembered as a gentle man, who was devoted to his family, friends and his police colleagues.

His death rocked his colleagues across the state, with NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione telling mourners he couldn't describe the devastation across the force.

"The gentlest of friends lost to an act of terror; a man, the manner of whose death stands in stark contrast to the gentle, honourable way he lived his life," Scipione said.

He told Cheng's wife Selina, son Alpha, and daughter Zilvia that Curtis was "so proud to be part of the force", and was cherished by his colleagues who said he was "nothing but positive".

"Curtis was one of our own, one of our friends. His circumstances are our circumstances.

"The pain and disorientation we feel at Curtis' death is all the more acute as a result."

Cheng was given a posthumous commendation for his service.

"Mr Cheng displayed integrity, loyalty, commitment, professionalism and devotion to duty as a member of the NSW Police Force, and thus is highly commended for his service," the commendation reads.

Alpha Cheng in his eulogy called on mourners to honour his father by following his example.

"Dad did everything in his own, quiet, little way," Alpha said.

"We need to do the little things for the people around us... if we all do that little bit more as dad did in his life, I believe we can live in a more gentle and harmonious world."

Also among the mourners were NSW Premier Mike Baird, Police Minister Troy Grant, NSW Governor David Hurley, Opposition Leader Luke Foley and police representatives from Australia and New Zealand.

Cheng, 58, died after 15-year-old Farhad Jabar shot him as he was leaving work on October 2.

Jabar died after he was shot by police at the scene.

Two men who allegedly helped the 15-year-old Jabar carry out the attack were refused bail in court.

-AAP