Police officer David Rixon, a father of six with 20 years' service in the NSW force, has been killed in a shootout sparked by a routine vehicle stop in the state's north.
Police have formally identified Senior Constable Rixon, 40, as the officer who was gunned down on Friday after he pulled a vehicle over in Lorraine St, West Tamworth, just after 8am (AEST).
Another man was injured and both were taken to Tamworth Base Hospital, where Sen Const Rixon died a short time later.
He joined the force in 1990 and is survived by his wife Fiona and six children.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said Mr Rixon's death marked a tragic day for police across NSW.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Senior Constable Rixon's family and colleagues," Mr Scipione said in a statement. Police minister and former police officer Michael Gallacher was visibly shaken as he told reporters Friday was a day of mourning.
"This is an incredibly tragic event for his loved ones, for his workmates, and indeed for the state of NSW," Mr Gallacher told reporters in Sydney. "Yesterday we were celebrating 150 years - reference was made to the 250 officers who have given their lives in the call of their duty.
"Today we now have 251, an additional name to be remembered as a fallen police officer in NSW."
Police Association president Scott Weber said the shooting had shaken and saddened officers across NSW and highlighted the dangers of police work.
"Today is an extremely sad day for police across NSW and for the entire community," Mr Weber said in a statement.
"Our heartfelt sympathy and support goes out to the family and friends of the officer."
Two men have been arrested in relation to the shooting, including one who was himself shot and is now under police guard in hospital.
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said his thoughts were with the highway patrolman's family and colleagues. "It's a sad day and a reminder for all of us just what a great job our police do and the risks they take every day," Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney.
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the death highlighted the fact that local police numbers had been inadequate for years.
Mr Murray said Tamworth needed another 15 officers to control crime in the local area. "It highlights our concerns about the lack of ability of our police to do any proactive policing," he told AAP.
"This is what we've been fearful of, that we're going to find ourselves in a situation like this where we actually lose one of our community members as a policeman in a shooting."
More than 1100 of Tamworth's 60,000 residents attended a public meeting in December to vent their frustration over crimes such as theft, break-and-enter, car theft and anti-social behaviour by youths in public places.
The community amassed a petition with 17,000 signatures, which will be debated in parliament on May 10.
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