Experienced Police Officer Shot Dead in South Australia

An experienced and well-known police officer, Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, was tragically shot dead during a violent confrontation in South Australia. The incident took place in the rural community of Senior, near the Victorian border, when Sergeant Doig and his colleagues responded to reports of a dog being shot. The officers were confronted by an armed suspect, and Sergeant Doig, 53, was fatally shot. Despite efforts by his colleagues and paramedics to revive him, he died at the scene.

Sergeant Doig had devoted almost 35 years to the police force and held the position of officer in charge at Lucindale Police Station, a small town located 125km from Senior. His colleagues, Constable Rebekah Cass and Sergeant Michael Hutchinson, also suffered injuries during the altercation. Constable Cass, 31, was unharmed physically, while Sergeant Hutchinson, 59, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both provided first aid to their wounded colleagues and the suspect.

The male suspect, aged 26, was shot by the police and sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. He was subsequently airlifted to Adelaide for medical treatment and is currently under police guard at a hospital. Investigation officers, including major crime detectives, forensic response teams, and internal investigators, are still present at the scene, trying to ascertain the precise circumstances that led to this tragic incident.

The close-knit community of Lucindale, where Sergeant Doig was stationed, has been deeply affected by his death. He was highly respected amongst his colleagues and had become an integral part of the community during his more than 15-year tenure. The South Australia Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, expressed his condolences to Sergeant Doig's loved ones and emphasized the sacrifices and risks inherent in policing.

Sergeant Doig's death serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty. He is the first officer in South Australia to be killed while on duty in the past 21 years. The last such incident occurred in 2002 when Motorcycle officer Senior Constable Bogdan (Bob) Sobczak lost his life in a road crash.

Political leaders, including South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and federal politicians Penny Wong and Peter Dutton, have been briefed about the tragic incident and offered their condolences. The loss of Sergeant Doig highlights the daily risks faced by law enforcement personnel and serves as a poignant reminder of the dedication and courage shown by those who protect the community.