Low-key anniversary of detective’s death

Queensland police will honour the first anniversary of “courageous” Gold Coast policeman Damian Leeding’s death with a week of low-key events.

The 35-year-old detective senior constable was blasted with a shotgun when called to an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern on May 29 last year.

He died in hospital, leaving behind wife Sonya, also a police officer, and two young children, Hudson and Grace.

Thousands of people packed the Gold Coast Convention Centre and lined the streets after his funeral with full police honours.

But, at the request of his family, this week’s commemorations will be on a much lower scale.

A commemorative golf day will be held on Tuesday, the anniversary of his shooting, to raise funds for Queensland Police Legacy.

A low-key memorial service will be held on Friday in a park at Coomera which has been named in his honour.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the services would be an opportunity for colleagues to remember their fallen mate.

“He was courageous, he was committed, he was competent,” Mr Atkinson told reporters in Brisbane on Monday.

Former southeast region assistant commissioner Paul Wilson said Sen Const Leeding had always wanted to be a police officer.

“He was a first-class detective,” he said.

“He was a first-class family man.”

The service will come five days before the case is due to be mentioned again in Southport Magistrates Court.

A committal hearing is expected to be held next month for alleged triggerman Phillip Abel, 37, Benjamin Power, 38, and Donna McAvoy, 37, who have been jointly charged with the murder.

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