Light blue in colour and bearing number plates that read RCH, the distinctive police car will serve as a visual memory for officers and members of the community that have been affected by Sergeant Richardson’s death. 

Port Stephens Sergeant Martine Morley said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be amongst the officers who will drive the car, which arrived on Wednesday.

“It is a wonderful tribute to a fantastic officer and work colleague,” an emotional Sergeant Morley said.

“It’s really quite a special thing; a really special tribute.

“Geoff is part of Port Stephens, he always will be.

“This just reminds us of that.”

Superintendent Chris Craner said the tribute to Sergeant Richardson, who died in the line of duty on March 5, came from Port Stephens officers who wanted to do something a little different.

“We had a couple of different ideas from different staff,” he said. “We wanted to do something a little bit different.

“It’s a change of colour, it’s a blue colour which represents a sergeant and it’s got personalised number plates that represent Sergeant Richardson.

“It’s just a nice way for the cops to look at the car and think about Geoff. And it’s a nice way for the community when you’re driving down the street to go ‘why is that a blue car?’ and find out why.

“The car tells a story and the story is Geoff. Geoff died on duty and his memory won’t be forgotten. 

“You can walk out the front of the police station, have a look at this car, stop a minute, have a think about Geoff, jump in and take off.”

The car is a standard Toyota Camry. It will be driven by Port Stephens police Sergeants and used for patrols.