A ‘dedicated’ policewoman and mother of twin girls has ended her own life, rocking the New South Police force just two months after another officer also suicided.
Senior Constable Audra Jaeger, 50, who died on October 28, leaves behind 12-year-old twin girls, Harper and Evie.
Daily Mail Australia understands Ms Jaeger, who served in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and at Wollongong, was on stress leave and died at home.
Senior Constable Audra Jaeger, 50, who died on October 28, leaves behind 12-year-old twin girls
A former colleague of Ms Jaeger shared a heartbreaking photo of her twins in front of a giant love heart drawn in the sand with the words ‘Evie, Mumma and Harper’
Her Wollongong police colleagues have been offered counselling.
Ms Jaeger joined the police service at 28 and served for 21 years, working at Bondi and Waverley stations, before moving to Wollongong, south of Sydney.
She also worked at PCYCs in Sutherland and Lake Illawarra and took part in cancer charity work as part of a Cops Against Cancer cycle team.
A former colleague, Dianna Mackay, has started an official fundraiser to raise money for Ms Jaeger’s two daughters.
She shared a heartbreaking photo of the twins in front of a giant love heart drawn in the sand.
Ms Jaeger joined the police service at 28 and served for 21 years, working at Bondi and Waverley stations, then at Wollongong. Daily Mail Australia understands she took her life
Senior constable Jaeger was posted to Wollongong and worked at PCYCs in Sutherland and Lake Illawarra
‘Senior Constable Audra Jaeger sadly passed away on 28 October 2022. She is survived by her twin daughters, Harper and Evie, who are both just twelve years old,’ Ms Mackay wrote.
‘Audra was an amazing person, friend, work colleague, partner, mumma and daughter.’
Ms Jaeger was ‘much loved by everyone who knew her’ Ms Mackay said.
‘Audra lit up the room no matter where she was; at work, at home or at play.
‘[She] was a massive beacon of light and burst of positive energy and even with her passing, her shining light will never be extinguished.’
She took part in cancer charity work as part of a Cops Against Cancer cycle team
One donor wrote ‘Such a beautiful person gone too soon, rest easy Aud.’
Tributes poured in from colleagues and loved ones, many through the charity, NSW Police Legacy.
It shared the tragic news on its social media pages on Wednesday: ‘We’re sorry, family, but we have more heartbreaking news.’
A NSW paramedic who had a chance encounter with her a week before her death said Ms Jaeger was ‘dedicated’ and friendly.
The tragedy comes less than two months after the body of off-duty male officer, Tanzeel Iftikhar Bashir, 23, was found in the Royal National Park. Pictured, colleagues of Constable Bashir paid their respects at Narellan Cemetery
‘[She was a] dedicated Emergency Services colleague, our paths crossed many times for many different reasons and Audra always greeted me with a smile followed by a quick chat, we even had a chat at a restaurant the week before her passing, if only we knew, now it’s another sad loss that may have been prevented,’ he wrote.
‘RIP sister in blue,’ a former sergeant wrote.
‘Audra was always a pleasure to work with at the PCYC,’ a Sydney mum posted.
‘So so sad… a truly lovely person’ another woman wrote.
The tragedy comes less than two months after the body of off-duty male officer, Tanzeel Iftikhar Bashir, 23, was found in the Royal National Park.
Constable Tanzeel Iftikhar Bashir, 23, was found in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, at about 12.40am on Saturday
A large contingent of shocked police officers gathered at Narellan Cemetery to salute their late colleague. The 23-year-old was remembered as a loving son and brother and widely respected police officer
Constable Bashir was found in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, at about 12.40am on Saturday September 3.
Police had launched a search for the young off-duty officer at about 10.30pm on September 2 after concerns were raised for his welfare.
His colleagues found the Bankstown Police Area Command officer the following morning.
All funds raised for Audra Jaeger’s twins will be put into a trust for Harper and Evie Jaeger, and will be given to the girls when they turn 21.
The fundraiser has the modest target of $10,000 and had raised $2,655 by Wednesday evening.
If you or anyone you know needs help or confidential support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk