Sergeant Paul Matts: Aussie cop, 37, farewelled following sudden death in front of his children

A police officer aged in his 30s who died suddenly in front of his children has been farewelled at a funeral on Thursday.

Paul Leslie Matts, 37, died of a medical event on July 8 while at the beach with his children.

The sergeant’s family and friends said goodbye at a ceremony at Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast on Thursday.

An official police portrait of a young, beaming Sergeant Matts was displayed on televisions as wellwishers entered.

A video message from Sergeant Matts’ father David was played. The speech was prerecorded so his dad could keep his composure.

“Paul talked about coming back to the coast once he worked further up the chain of command. You got here a little sooner than you thought,” David said.

“Your mother and I truly, madly, deeply love you. You might be gone but not forgotten. We’ll miss your daily calls, just to chat or, as you would say, ‘talk sh*t’.

“When he passed he was doing what he absolutely loved; spending time at the beach with his children.”

David said growing up, his son was almost on first-name basis with medical staff at the local clinic, being an adventurous but tough kid.

Family friend Jenna spoke at the funeral on behalf of Sergeant Matts’ wife Danni.

“You could just tell he was born to be a dad,” she said.

“He stepped into the role of being a stepfather with nothing but affection. He never tried to replace anyone, just showed up.”

Younger sister Rebecca said her cheeky, charming brother was a mischievous kid: “We’re just glad he ended up enforcing the law not breaking it.”

Sergeant Matts’ career began in Penrith in 2009 with undercover work. He went to the mounted police in Sydney and bonded with a horse that was in attendance at the funeral.

He then went west to Burren Junction, adopting a horse and a pig.

Friends had travelled to the service from the town of Orange.

“He packed more into 37 years than most do in 90,” Rebecca said.

He trained racehorses and greyhounds, farmed cucumbers and raised animals.

“That was Paul. Loud in life but quiet in his achievements,” Rebecca said.

“His favourite role to play by far was being a dad.

“Paul’s final moments were spent running and playing with his children.”

His police medals and patches stood framed at the front of the funeral home. Attendees wore blue ribbon pins. His police hat was placed on his coffin and saluted by colleagues.

Acting Superintendent Jason Darcy told the service that Sergeant Matts had received a certificate of merit for professionalism demonstrated during a suicide in 2016.

Sergeant Matts was known for particularly caring about the mental health of colleagues, Superintendent Darcy said.