Sydney constable killed in car crash posthumously awarded honours, funeral told

Mia Lay, the young officer killed in a police car crash in Sydney, has been posthumously awarded the national police service medal, it has been announced at her funeral.

The 20-year-old died after her police vehicle crashed on a street in Redfern while responding to reports of a car theft on September 25.

The driver, a 24-year-old male constable, was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and survived the crash.

She has been remembered for her "passion for soccer, her joy for life, her love for family and the pride and sense of achievement she found in policing", NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

"You will not be forgotten."

At the service, Commissioner Lanyon said she served with "professionalism, commitment and dedication".

"She has left an enduring legacy,"

he said.

The commissioner formally announced Constable Lay had been posthumously awarded the national police service medal, the national media and the NSW Police Force medal for ethical and diligent service.

"It will be my honour to present these awards to Mia's family at an appropriate time in the near future," he said.

She is survived by her parents, Tamara and Clem, her partner Daniel Vasquez, and her four siblings. 

'Exceptional promise' 

Constable Lay attested from the force's Goulburn academy in 2025 and had only been on the job for 16 months at the time of her death.

She was posted to the South Sydney Area Command as a probationary constable undertaking general duties, before being confirmed as a constable earlier this year.  

Constable Lay also undertook a rotation at Eastern Beaches Area Command.

Last year, she received formal recognition for good police work from her duty officer and commander after locating and arresting a man armed with a rifle in a public park in Redfern.

"It was clear Constable Lay was going nowhere but forward in her policing career," Commissioner Lanyon said.

"The stories I've been told of her since her tragic passing demonstrated that she was a remarkable young lady and police officer."

"She demonstrated exceptional promise, embracing policing with enthusiasms and earned the respect of those around her.

"She loved her job and was loved by all who were touched by her."

Her service at St Andrew's Cathedral will include the laying and marching out of the NSW Police Force banner followed by a police march along Bathurst Street.

'Ultimate gift of joy'

Father Clem Lay gave a moving eulogy, saying his "firstborn flower" and "ultimate gift of joy" was a "force of nature from the moment she came into the world".

 "She made me a better dad. She made us better people," he said.

"I look back at her first birthday in Disneyland, a tiny girl surrounded by wonder, completely unaware that one day she would grow up and be the one bringing magic and safety to everyone around her."

Mr Lay said he was apprehensive about his daughter entering the police force, but that being a protector was in her nature.

"Every single day Mia put on that uniform and carried the weight of the badge, she did out of overwhelming dedication to people she didn't even know," he said.

Mr Lay said his family had been left broken by his daughter's death

"The works of your hands brought honour to our name and safety to everyone," he said of his daughter.

"As a dad, I would give anything to hold you one more time."

Mother Tamara Evans said she would remember her daughter as being full of life.

"I loved her deeply, even when she irritated me and screamed at me. She became one of my best friends," she said.

She said Mia loved being a police officer and had achieved much in her 20 years of life.

"Mia loved her family, she loved her dog Millie, she loved Dan, her partner, loved her friends, loved her job," she said.

Her death was marked in sombre scenes a week later during the annual National Police Remembrance Day.

Constable Lay's name is set to be added to the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance, and will be the 285th addition to the memorial.