FORMER NSW police commissioner Cecil "Cec" Abbott will be farewelled at a funeral service at Penshurst on Wednesday.
Mr Abbott (pictured), a resident of St George, died last Wednesday in St George Hospital, aged 89.
He joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1941, was sworn in in 1945 and rose to become the 16th police commissioner from December 1981 to August 1984.
Mr Abbott was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in May 1967 and the Queen's Police Medal in January 1977. He received the National Medal in June 1982 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 1985.
Among his many achievements, Mr Abbott was instrumental in the formation of the police undercover branch and the formation of covert police sites.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione said Mr Abbott made a significant contribution to the NSW Police Force in his 43 years' service.
"It is widely accepted that the foundations of contemporary drug law enforcement nationally can be attributed to his leadership and commitment throughout his dedicated service to the people of NSW," he said.
Mr Abbott is survived by his wife and son.
The funeral will be held at 11am, tomorrow at St Declan's Catholic Church, Penshurst.
See a story on the service http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2161498/popular-police-commissioner-cecil-abbott-a-man-of-integrity/?cs=12
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