Affectionately known as Jonno, the former South Coast police officer’s life was celebrated by hundreds of community members and the NSW Police Force on Wednesday. He more recently took on the role of Chief Inspector, officer in charge - Southern Highlands.

The devoted family man was known for his “obsession” with superhero The Phantom, and guests wore purple to match the colour of his suit. 

Jonno died suddenly on May 22, leaving behind his wife Sue and two children Molly and Flynn, better known as Squishy and Pickle. 

It wasn’t hard to tell Jonno had a huge impact on the community, with the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre packed out for his final farewell. 

Jonno’s long time mate, Adam Straney, said the police officer’s kind nature and dedication to his family was admired by so many. 

“He worked hard for his family, community, and what he believed was good in the world,” Mr Straney said. 

“I’ve never seen a man more engaged with his children, everything he did was for them.”

Jonno and his wife Sue met at Posties in Nowra, and they later married at a “grand wedding” in 1998. 

“Jonno went at everything like a bull at a gate, much like the love for his girl,” Mr Straney said. 

Complete with Harley Davidsons, cars and “the whole big thing” the couple married at a wedding that “took two years to plan” in 1998, and soon went on to have to children. 

Jonno’s daughter Molly remembered her dad as a “hero”. 

“He was always there supporting us with absolutely everything we did and helping us through all the challenges we were given,” she said. 

“Dad, you mean the world to so many people, but most of all me and my brother.” 

Every Valentine’s Day Jonno would give Molly a single red rose, and on Wednesday she repaid the favour and laid a rose on her father’s coffin.  

Former Shoalhaven commander and superintendent Wayne Starling said Jonno was a “superhero”, not just in uniform, but also out of it. 

Jonno joined the police force in 1989 as a trainee. He attested as a probationary constable and was posted to Darling Harbour in 1989. 

He was confirmed as a constable in 1990 and later transferred to Nowra on general duties in 1995. 

He was awarded a commander’s commendation from the NSW Police Force in 2002 and was awarded the NSW Police Medal in 2004. 

“He made a difference to so many but would never actually take credit for his work,” Superintendent Starling said.

“If someone was new at the command or was doing it a bit tough we would reach out to them and take them out fishing for the day to see how they were doing, and take them under his wing.” 

Jonno’s three passions, family, fishing and The Phantom were remembered with fondness, as was his infectious smile and generosity. 

In a final ode to his love of fishing, Mr Straney read the poem Gone Fishin’ to farewell his great mate Jonno.

Ending the service with the simple words, “if others wonder why I’m missin’, just tell ’em I’ve gone fishin’”, Jonno’s coffin was the taken through a police guard of honour - a final farewell to a much-loved man.  

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