Former Police Medal Reunited with Family After Unexpected Discovery

A medal belonging to a former police officer has been returned to his family after it was discovered at a Salvation Army Family Store in Nelson, New Zealand. The medal, which commemorates 28 years of long service and good conduct, was found by a volunteer named Kaye, sparking a quest to trace its owner.

Kaye stumbled upon a well-preserved case while sorting through donations. Puzzled by the presence of such a personal item among typical thrift store fare, she shared her discovery with her sister, Nyanne Graf-Pollard, who serves as a Senior Constable in the Tasman District. Recognizing the significance of the medal, Nyanne embarked on a mission to identify and return it to its rightful owner.

The medal was awarded to the late Lindsay Hunter, a high-ranking police officer who passed away in 2018. Nyanne learned of Lindsay’s extensive career, which included service in Canterbury, Tasman, Wellington, and at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC). To assist in her search, Nyanne and her partner reached out to a retired police network on Facebook, which led to a pivotal phone call from Lindsay’s sister, Lauree.

Lauree provided essential information that helped Nyanne connect with Lindsay’s widow, Kay Hunter. When Nyanne informed Kay about the discovery, she was both surprised and grateful. Kay recalled that the medal had once held a cherished place in their home. “I have no idea how it made its way to the op shop,” she said. “I have moved house, so it’s possible that it got moved on in a bag of stuff to be recycled. I guess we’ll never know.”

Nyanne and Kay arranged to meet in Nelson, where Kay was overjoyed to be reunited with her late husband’s medal. “Having the medal now back in my hands is yet another reminder of all those years Lindsay and I spent together and, in particular, his dedication to police work and the friendships we both developed amongst his police colleagues,” she expressed.

After some investigation, staff at the Police Museum revealed additional details about Lindsay’s distinguished career. He was part of the No 2 Walter Nash Cadet Wing in 1958 and began his career as a probationary constable in 1960. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, becoming a sergeant in 1965, a senior sergeant in 1971, an inspector in 1975, and a superintendent in 1991. Notably, he was appointed director of training at the RNZPC in 1988, a role that coincided with significant changes in police training methods.

Kay expressed her appreciation for the efforts made by Nyanne and others in the police community to return the medal. “I plan to take great care of it,” she affirmed. The story serves as a reminder of the strong connections formed within the police force and the lasting impact of a dedicated career, even after one has passed.